#var

Disputed Calls and Rough Play in Japan's Internationals

In Japan's 2-1 win over Venezuela, a VAR review rewound to a foul on Kubo Takefusa and turned the call into a Japan penalty and a late winner. Venezuela's captain and coach protested on social media that the friendly had been 'rigged to let the host win.' Japanese fans mostly countered that the foot was clearly stepped on and VAR was applied correctly, while a minority allowed that the referee had leaned toward Japan. Clips of North Korea's aggressive conduct at an international tournament circulated alongside, drawing both disdain and a 'life-or-death' reading tied to the consequences back home.