Japan will make Asia proud at the World Cup.

Coach Hajime Moriyasu's statement that 'Japan can win the World Cup' wasn't just for fun, as the team from the Land of the Rising Sun is ready to make history.

Japan's aspirations

"The Japanese national team wants to win the World Cup. We've never done it before, but we will if we work together. The team's goal is to win each game one by one," coach Hajime Moriyasu shared ahead of the World Cup. This is a rare occasion where the usually reserved and humble strategist from the Land of the Rising Sun spoke about the word "championship." While other contenders remain cautious, the declaration of winning the title comes from a team that has never advanced beyond the round of 16, and in the absence of star player Kaoru Mitoma due to injury.

The Japanese national team is ready for a World Cup miracle.

PHOTO: REUTERS

However, the way the Japanese team treated Mitoma explains why coach Moriyasu and his players are confident in their pursuit of the World Cup title. The Brighton midfielder still posed for team photos before the World Cup. Mitoma will always be with the team, whether healthy or injured. That is the spirit of "unity" that coach Moriyasu referred to.

Japanese football has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past decade. Ten years ago, the pride of the "Blue Samurai" in Europe was limited to a few individual players, such as Yuto Nagatomo (Inter Milan), Makoto Hasebe (VfL Wolfsburg), Shinji Kagawa (Manchester United), and Shinji Okazaki (Leicester City). Today, the entire Japanese team is playing on the European continent. In the US, Moriyasu will bring a mixed squad of experienced players like Nagatomo, Ritsu Doan, and Wataru Endo, combined with players making their World Cup debut but possessing plenty of motivation.

Japan bases its development on collective strength. Even the most outstanding individuals are merely a link in the system that operates their playing style. The scientific and consistent approach, from ball distribution and pressing to attacking organization, is built upon elementary school football, community academies, and professional training centers. Players grow up in a culture deeply rooted in meticulousness, dedication, and discipline, incorporating life experiences into their football from a very young age. Japan has established a cohesive "football DNA," something often a luxury at the national team level.

The journey of conquest

Eight years ago, Japan led 2-0 against Belgium (in the Round of 16 of the 2018 World Cup) but lost 2-3 due to a misplaced "samurai" mentality. Akira Nishino's players pushed forward, even though they could have slowed down to protect their lead. Japan's morale was affected by criticism regarding their "anti-football" style of play in the 0-1 loss to Poland in the group stage (deliberately wasting time despite being behind to maintain a one-goal deficit and secure qualification).

The lessons learned in Russia taught the "Blue Samurai" that both excessive pragmatism and naivety can have negative consequences. The Japanese team needs balance, drawing on the practical experience that players must learn in the most demanding environment: Europe.

Four years later, Japan defeated Germany and Spain at the 2022 World Cup to top the "group of death." Despite losing to Croatia in the round of 16, coach Moriyasu saw an opportunity to reach a higher level as Japan increasingly played like a European team, from physicality and fighting spirit to resilience. A large portion of the "Samurai Blue" squad had moved to Europe to play football. Whether in the first or second division, in England, France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, or Turkey, Japanese players have all made an impression thanks to their progressive spirit, Mitoma being a prime example.

While steeped in European influence, Japan still retains a distinctly Asian spirit: the "one Japan" ethos, characterized by unwavering cohesion and discipline. Coach Moriyasu's team has defeated England, Scotland, Canada, Germany, and others in friendly matches. Although real matches are very different from practice games, each victory is a piece of the warrior armor that Japan is ready to bring to the world football tournament. Japan is in Group F alongside the Netherlands, Sweden, and Tunisia; their opening match will be against the Netherlands on June 14th in Texas (USA).

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nhat-ban-se-khien-chau-a-tu-hao-o-world-cup-185260530223047882.htm