Thursday, 6th March, 2014



Manchester United star Shinji Kagawa scored a penalty and set another goal up as Japan beat New Zealand 4-2 in their international friendly in Tokyo on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old scored his first international goal in the last six months, just seven minutes into the game after setting up a superb ball for Shinji Okazaki three minutes earlier.



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Masato Morishige also beat Kiwi goalkeeper Glen Moss before Okazaki scored his brace to make the lead 4-0 in just 17 minutes of play. Leicester City striker Chris Wood, who scored in each half, managed to reduce the margin of the defeat and restore some respectability for the All Whites.

Kagawa, who has played just nine out of the Red Devils’ 27 Premier League games and is hoping to restore his career at OId Trafford, was jubilant after netting the penalty for the Japanese outfit.

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"A goal is a goal and I wanted to express my joy", the attacking midfielder was quoted as saying by Manchester United’s official website.

"We made a good start by scoring an early goal and I was happy to put away the penalty.”

The former Borussia Dortmund player was facing fitness concerns in the second half and was substituted for Manabu Saito who took his place in the 79th minute.

"I was focused on my performance but I struggled a bit with my fitness in the second half, so that’s something I need to work on", the Blue Samurai added.

Manchester United will take on West Brom this weekend in the Premier League and Kagawa will be hoping to take the ground once again for the defending champions.

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