Mexico and Japan have played an excellent half of football at Wembley Stadium, and have looked as evenly matched as they were assumed to be before their London 2012 Olympics semifinal match. Yuki Otsu got Japan off to a brilliant start with a great goal, but Marco Fabian answered back to equalize and send the sides into halftime tied 1-1.
Mexico Vs. Japan, 2012 Olympics: Halftime Score, 1-1 With Goals By Fabian, Otsu
Otsu's goal was an absolute stunner, drilled into the top corner at the far post from just over 20 yards out. He set himself up with a brilliant first touch that pulled him into position to shoot, then unleashed a fierce drive past Jose de Jesus Corona into the back of the net to give Japan a 12th minute lead.
Fabian's equalizer came in the 31st minute, off of a corner kick. Giovani dos Santos swung in a brilliant delivery towards the near post, which Jorge Enriquez nodded backwards. Fabian got around his man and directed a header into the back of the net to make it 1-1.
Mexico have had more of the ball and have arguably looked like the better side, but their finishing has not been great outside of Fabian’s goal. Dos Santos, in particular, has looked dangerous but has missed the target with a couple of very solid half-chances.
We have live coverage of this game and Brazil vs. South Korea in our London 2012 Olympics, men's soccer semifinals StoryStream.
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