Japan had set itself the goal of lifting a world title by 2050. But perhaps it will win the World Cup well before then. Author of an almost faultless qualifying phase, the country will soon be able to secure its ticket for its eighth consecutive participation in the competition.
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It is, in fact, with the way that the Samuraïs Blues began this new challenge (6 wins, 28 goals, 0 conceded), obviously keeping in mind the failure of the previous Asian Cup, where he was nevertheless favorite. This last international competition seemed more like a lost bet for Moriyasu and his men. The country was then knocked out in the quarter-finals by Iran (2-1) after a less than stellar match.
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A very good return to form
Reinvigorated since then, the Japanese have not lost a match since last February. They successively won against North Korea (1-0, 0-3), then against Burma (5-0) and against Syria, by the same score. The country then continued its momentum during the 3rd qualifying round, crushing China with a heavy score of 7 goals to 0. A demonstration for the Japanese who composed with a goal from Wataru Endo (12th) before Kaoru Mitoma (45th +2) and Takumi Minamino with a double (52nd and 58th) increase the score. Junya Ito (77th), Daizen Maeda (87th) and Takefusa Kubo (90th +5) then worsened the score.
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After again defeating Bahrain (5-0), Japan had to confirm against Saudi Arabia, a major opponent in the race for the World Cup. “Roberto Mancini’s Green Falcons presented a considerably tougher challenge, at a venue where the hosts had won the three previous meetings between the two teams, including a 1-0 victory in World Cup qualifying three years ago. years” remembers the Japanese daily The Mainichi. But here too, the Samuraïs Blues essentially ensured a 2-0 victory, while consolidating their first place in the group, with 9 points, behind Australia (4 points), their future opponent. A new victory against the Socceroos next Tuesday on the Saitama pitch would definitively open the doors to the World Cup in Japan.
Ligue 1 players in legs
Japan was also able to count on the good form of its players playing in Europe, and in particular its residents of Ligue 1. Takumi Minamino (62 caps, 23 goals) who scored a double against China, also scored against Syria. Junya Ito (57 caps, 14 goals) and Keito Nakamura (12 caps, 8 goals), the explosive duo at Stade Reims since the resumption of the Championship, also stand out, although their performances under the colors of the national team remain slightly still below those under the Champenois jersey.
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The two friends, united in Reims since 2023, have, as a reminder, already given each other 6 goals and 3 assists in seven Ligue 1 matches. A pair which, if used well, should also do good for the selection Asian. A few months before a new global adventure, the Japanese seem ready to prove that their time has finally come.
Pub. the 12/10/2024 20:00
Update 13/10/2024 02:27
