Japan Confident in Bid for World Cup Milestone Following Strong Performance
Japan has established a bold goal of securing victory in the upcoming World Cup, and manager Hajime Moriyasu feels they are progressing significantly towards that aim as they approach 2026.
The nation, which has claimed the Asian title on four occasions, has yet to advance beyond the Round of 16 in any World Cup, yet a robust lineup featuring players from European clubs combined with recent solid performances has led the manager to believe they can achieve something groundbreaking in the tournament hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
In October, Japan secured their inaugural triumph against Brazil, and they built on that success with decisive victories over Ghana and Bolivia to conclude the year positively.
Moriyasu marked his 100th match at the helm during Tuesday's 3-0 victory against Bolivia in Tokyo, and he considers his squad to be developing well.
"Naturally, success is crucial when we dominate, but the squad demonstrated this evening that victory remains possible even during challenging moments, fostering greater self-assurance," he remarked.
"I made seven alterations to the lineup from the Ghana opener, and we proved capable of triumphing and operating smoothly irrespective of the personnel involved."
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Japan surprised both Germany and Spain before exiting via penalties to Croatia in the Round of 16.
They became the initial side to qualify for the next edition, with their sole setback in Asian qualifiers occurring post-qualification.
This year has not been without hurdles, as evidenced by a goalless stalemate with Mexico and a 2-0 reverse to the United States in September, indicating areas requiring further effort.
Nevertheless, they showcased resilience by overturning a two-goal deficit to defeat Brazil 3-2 and displayed solid defending by securing shutouts versus Ghana and Bolivia.
"I believe the squad has enhanced their capacity to implement our tactical approach in offensive and defensive phases," stated Moriyasu.
"Spending considerable time as a unit over the last three months has bolstered our collective comprehension."
Ahead of the Curve
Daichi Kamada of Crystal Palace has been pivotal this year, alongside Ritsu Doan from Eintracht Frankfurt, Feyenoord forward Ayase Ueda, and Takefusa Kubo of Real Sociedad.
Captain Wataru Endo has contributed effectively, even with limited minutes at Premier League title holders Liverpool.
Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki has established himself as a reliable option following a difficult experience at the previous Asian Cup.
Kaoru Mitoma, the Brighton winger, has seen minimal action due to ongoing injury issues, while Takehiro Tomiyasu, formerly of Arsenal, has scarcely featured in matches over the last two years.
Tomiyasu remains unattached since departing the Gunners in July to prioritise recovery from injury, though Moriyasu expressed this week his assurance that the player will be fit for the World Cup.
Japan faces just one additional international break before Moriyasu must select his World Cup roster, and reports suggest a potential March visit to face England at Wembley.
The manager indicated he will probably delay final squad decisions until the deadline, encouraging his players to maximise their opportunities.
"We ended the year with back-to-back successes, but I urge the players to return to their clubs and continue elevating their performance," he added.
"Rest assured, rival nations will study our play, so we must refine our strategies and style to stay one step ahead."