[Qatar World Cup 2022 Preview]On DAZN’s YouTube channel, “Overview of Japan’s challenges & preview of attractive quarter-final cards !! DAZN NEWS TV PRESENTED by Yugado Free Edition” has been released. Takashi Mizunuma and Ryohei Hayashi were invited as guests, and Kaori Sasaki and MC Manabu Kuwabara were invited as assistants for a thorough discussion.
The World Cup in Qatar, where the Japanese national team is one step away from reaching the best 8 for the first time in history. In the group league, they defeated the powerhouse countries Germany and Spain and passed Group E in the lead. However, in the first round of the final tournament once morest Croatia in the Round of 16, although Japan scored the first goal of the tournament for the first time, they were caught up in the second half and were eliminated in the round of 16 once more at the end of the penalty shootout (1-3).
This time, we reviewed the game once morest Croatia and looked back while thoroughly discussing how Japan played in the Qatar World Cup.
Ryohei Hayashi looked back on the first half of the Croatia match, saying, “We didn’t have a bad start, and even though we had possession of the ball, we created chances by counterattacking several times.” On the other hand, he touched on the performance of Croatia, who has studied Japan thoroughly, saying, “Even though they had possession of the ball, unlike Spain, they sent the ball vertically. There were many scenes where I was in a pinch when the second ball was picked up or when I was targeted from behind,” he praised the opponent’s skillful game.
Among them, in the 43rd minute of the first half, Japan succeeded in opening the scoring with Daizen Maeda’s goal from a set-play. Mr. Takashi Mizunuma looked back at this goal with a deep emotion, saying, “God is watching. I was running hard.” He focused on Maeda following the goal. “(After scoring) I probably wanted to run a lot with ‘Wow’, but I hugged (my teammate who was nearby),” he speculates. He also revealed a little-known side, saying, “He’s the type that hugs quite a lot (laughs).”
In the second half, when Japan was leading for the first time, both Mr. Mizunuma and Mr. Hayashi speculated, “I think I was very worried” regarding the direction of coach Hajime Moriyasu, who leads the Japanese national team. Continuing, Mr. Hayashi said, “It will be a result theory, but…” and revealed his own thoughts, “Personally, I wanted Mitoma to play from the beginning of the second half.”
Regarding the fact that Takefusa Kubo, who was out of the bench due to poor physical condition, might not be used, Mr. Hayashi said, “It was painful that I might not use it as a replacement card in the shadows.” I agree with you. Mr. Hayashi continued, “If Kubo entered the shadow on the right where Doan was (as a substitute), I think he might have been able to receive it between the lines and come up with a little more ingenuity in attacking.”
Compared to Germany and Spain, where Japan was overwhelmingly dominated, they recorded a ball retention rate of “42%” once morest Croatia.Mr. Mizunuma said, “I felt a little that there is no form that can be broken by combinations when Japan has the ball.”[5-4-1]The defensive part, such as the block of , has become able to calculate a lot. However, when we are in possession of the ball, we are still lacking in how to build up and how to share in the situation of breaking down,” he pointed out the same issue.
On top of that, regarding Japan’s fighting style that ended in the best 16, “There is also a sense that there is a piece that can be done alone in the last third. But when you stop there, plus 1 or 2 (support) will be added. I personally think that it is necessary for Japanese soccer to move forward.”[5-4-1]The block of is completely addicted. But what can we do when given the ball like Costa Rica or Croatia? It wasn’t clear yet. I think it will be important for the Japanese national team in the future,” he said, expecting growth in the future and summing up this tournament.
In addition, the Qatar World Cup quarterfinal cards are introduced, and the highlights of each card are also introduced.
