It is the team called to break the pre-established order in Group E. Japan has long been established in the world elite (it will be the seventh consecutive presence in the tournament, the second longest streak for an Asian nation, surpassed only by that of Korea South). South with 10) and was about to fall in love with the latest edition of Russia. And is that he had Belgium, who finished third, on the ropes.
Hajime Moriyasu’s side compete in almost every situation and will be waiting for a chance to steal points from both Germany and Spain, the two favorites to qualify for the next round. La Roja will have to play the last match of the group stage against Japan, which could be bad news if Luis Enrique’s block wins.
Moriyasu was the first manager to formalize his squad, which did not include Celtic players Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Matate, the main absences from the squad alongside Yuya Osako. Despite everything, the Japanese team was able to field a guaranteed eleven, leaving room for the legendary Kawashima in goal, forming an experienced defense at all levels with Tomiyasu, Yoshida, Itakura and Nagatomo; a midfield populated by three players like Endo, Tanaka and Morita and an offensive line with Kubo’s inspiration and Minamino’s flair, which Asano could complete.
Just Minamino, the current Monaco player who moved to Liverpool after shining in Salzburg, is the main point of reference for Japan, both in attack and on a general level. The forward finished the Asian qualifying phase with 10 goals and four assists and, at the age of 27, is grappling with his first participation in a World Cup.
The team’s time in the last edition, Russia’2018, was really positive. In a very competitive group consisting of Colombia, Senegal and Poland, the Japanese managed to start with the victory against the “coffee” team, which ultimately finished first.
Subsequently, they drew (2-2) against Senegal and lost by a minimum against Poland in the final day. Led by the “incombustibles” Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda, the Japanese team progressed to the round despite being level on points, goals conceded, goals conceded, goal difference and duel in the quartet. The criterion of ‘fair play’ was what decided, for the first time in history, the final classification.
crazy duel
The round of 16 was the ceiling for Akira Nishino’s team, who faced a very powerful Belgium, with a generation of players in full swing.
Despite everything, the Asians gave the first and second blows, both in a mad second part of the most exciting match, perhaps, of the entire competition. Haraguchi and Inui made their team 0-2 within five minutes. But the ‘red devils’ reacted and goals from Vertonghen and Fellaini equalized the match.
When it seemed that everything would be decided in extra time, Chadli made it 3-2 in added time to eliminate the Japanese. That big image, competing among the most elite, will lead Hajime Moriyasu’s men into a group where they want to wage war on Spain and Germany.
