Real Madrid winger Takefusa Kubo has shared his relief after scoring the match-winning goal for Japan during his country's Olympics opener against South Africa.
Japan dominated proceedings at the Ajinomoto Stadium in Chofu, Tokyo on Thursday but could only manage a narrow 1-0 victory over Group A rivals, South Africa, whose defensive organisation frustrated the more attack-minded hosts for the majority of the encounter.
Scroll through the gallery above to see images from Japan's clash against South Africa
While David Notoane's charges offered little by way of attack, the likes of Ronwen Williams and captain Tercious Malepe were kept busy at the other end and looked on course to earn South Africa a point until Kubo emerged as his side's saviour in the second-half.
After 71 minutes played, the Los Blancos youngster cut inside from the right flank and beyond the challenge of Sibusiso Mabiliso, before curling home a left-footed effort past the outstretched arms of the previously impregnable Williams in goal.
"I am satisfied, happy and relieved," Kubo said following the match, per Yahoo! Japan.
The 20-year-old, who added that he was "impressed" by the defensive solidity of South Africa, had fired an effort narrowly wide from a similar position earlier in the match and revealed that he learned from that miss in order to put his team ahead.
"I thought about what happened before and after I got the pass, the ball stopped as I wanted," he explained. "I felt that I could easily dribble inside while playing, and I missed the shot near in the first half, so I aimed at the far post [for the goal]."