Real Sociedad boosted by Japan’s elimination from Asia Cup | OneFootball

La Liga outfit Real Sociedad have on Saturday been afforded something of a boost on the personnel front.

This comes by way of Japan being sent packing from the AFC Asia Cup.

The Samurai Blue marked their return to action earlier today, making the trip to the Education City Stadium for a quarter-final showdown with Iran.

And, when all was said and done, it was the latter who emerged triumphant.

After Hidemasa Morita’s opener was cancelled out by Mohammad Mohebi early in the 2nd-half, Alireza Jahanbakhsh broke Japanese hearts by way of a winner for Iran a full six minutes into injury time.

This of course means that Hajime Moriyasu’s squad will now head their separate ways, to link back up with their respective clubs.

And one such club who will no doubt be thrilled with as much comes in the form of the aforementioned Real Sociedad.

Takefusa Kubo was a key member of Japan’s squad at the Asia Cup, and featured from the off against Iran on Saturday.

The gifted wide-man – in the midst of a fine individual campaign – will now head back to base in San Sebastián, though, affording boss Imanol timely attacking reinforcements for the weeks to come.

Conor Laird | GSFN