Japan Aims for Historic World Cup Quarter-Final Berth

Japan enters the upcoming World Cup with growing aspirations, aiming to surpass its previous best performance in the tournament. In the 2022 World Cup, Japan notably went unbeaten against European opposition, securing victories over Germany and Spain in the group stage and drawing 1-1 with Croatia in the round of 16 before a penalty shootout elimination. This marked their fourth exit at the round-of-16 stage.

With the World Cup expanding from 32 to 48 teams, Japan is considered a strong candidate for an unexpected deep run, attributed to its blend of individual quality, recent form, and collective experience. The team is scheduled to play its opening game against the Netherlands on Sunday night (21:00 BST), with Sweden and Tunisia also in Group F. Japan currently holds an impressive record, being unbeaten in its last nine matches against European teams.

Former Southampton defender Maya Yoshida, 37, who captained Japan in 2022 and is now with the squad as a non-playing support player, believes the 26-man squad selected by manager Hajime Moriyasu is capable of reaching unprecedented territory in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Yoshida stated that reaching the quarter-finals, a stage Japan has never experienced, is the primary goal, with anything beyond that considered a bonus.

Manager Hajime Moriyasu, 57, has also set high ambitions for the team, aiming for World Cup glory. He expressed confidence in the squad's depth, noting that they have proven their ability to perform regardless of player availability, even amidst injuries. Key players include Daichi Kamada of Crystal Palace and Ao Tanaka of Leeds United.

Japan was the first non-host nation to qualify for this summer's finals, following a nearly flawless qualifying campaign. Moriyasu highlighted that 19 of the 26 players from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar form the core of the current team, having maintained a winning mentality and a continuous drive for improvement.

Since their elimination in 2022, Japan has continued to impress, securing victories against high-profile teams such as England, Germany, and Brazil. Yoshida attributes Japan's increasing competitiveness against top-ranked nations to the growing number of Japanese players regularly featuring in Europe's top five leagues. Yoshida, capped 127 times, emphasized this trend as a key factor in the team's development.

(Source: Yahoo Sports Soccer)