On the fourth day of the FIFA World Cup Qatar, four matches will be played in the first round from the 23rd to the 24th (Japan time).
[Group E Germany x Japan]
Japan vs. Germany in Group E will take place on the 23rd at 10:00 pm Japan time.
Japan, ranked 24th in the world, is participating in seven tournaments in a row for the seventh time. I can't win either, and the best 16 is the best result.
Aiming to advance to the best eight for the first time, this year's tournament will feature 19 fresh players, including Daichi Kamata and Takefusa Kubo, who have experience in the top European teams.
Under Hajime Moriyasu, who was appointed as manager in 2018, the team has refined their "high press", which actively steals the ball from the front line, and "build-up", which builds attacks by connecting short passes from the back, and is one of the top teams in the world. Attention is paid to how the opponent fights.
On the other hand, Germany, ranked 11th in the world, has participated in 18 consecutive tournaments and 20 times, the most of any European team.
They have advanced to the final eight times and made the best four 13 times, which is the most.
In addition to sharp offense led by veteran Thomas Müller, who has participated in four consecutive tournaments, the solid defense led by 36-year-old goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who has also participated in four consecutive tournaments, has maintained a high level of stability in both offense and defense. team.
It will be interesting to see how Japan, with its fresh line-up, will challenge the world's leading powerhouse in offense and defense.
[Group F Morocco x Croatia]
Morocco vs Croatia in Group F will be played from 7:00 pm Japan time on the 23rd.
Morocco, ranked 22nd in the world, will participate in the tournament for the 6th time in a row.In this tournament, they won the African qualifiers with overwhelming strength and advanced to the top with a well-balanced match between offense and defense centered on players who are active in the top European teams. Aim for
On the other hand, Croatia, making their sixth appearance in three consecutive tournaments, ranked 12th in the world. At the previous tournament in Russia in 2018, playmaker Luka Modric led the team to second place.
In addition to Modric, who turned 37, this year's tournament will also feature Matteo Kovacic, who belongs to Chelsea in the English Premier League, and Marcelo Brozovic, who plays for Inter in the Italian first division. increase.
[Group E Spain x Costa Rica]
Spain vs. Costa Rica in Group E will take place on the 24th at 1:00 a.m. Japan time.
Spain, ranked 7th in the world, participated in 12 consecutive tournaments and 16 times.In 2010, they won the South African tournament for the first time with a team led by Andrés Iniesta, who currently plays for Vissel Kobe.
19-year-old Pedri and 18-year-old Gabi, who are both active in Barcelona in the first division of Spain and have the characteristic of flowing attacks that develop quickly from fine passing work, are the core of the team. Aim to be the best in the world.
Costa Rica, ranked 31st in the world, has qualified for the 6th tournament in 3 consecutive tournaments, and in the 2014 Brazil tournament, they were in the same group as Italy and England, but finished first in the first round and advanced to the best eight for the first time.
Led by 35-year-old Keylor Navas, one of the best goalkeepers in the world, the team will aim to advance into the top ranks by creating a rhythm from defense with a strong defense.
[Group F Belgium x Canada]
Belgium vs Canada in Group F will take place on the 24th at 4:00 a.m. Japan time.
Belgium, ranked 2nd in the world, has qualified for the 14th time in 3 consecutive tournaments and finished 3rd, their best result at the 2018 Russia tournament.
With star players on offense and defense, they won the qualifying rounds with overwhelming team power, such as maintaining the number one ranking in the world from September 2018 to February this year.
With Kevin De Bruyne, who plays for Manchester City in the English Premier League, as the commander, and Thibaut Courtois, one of the world's best goalkeepers, will strengthen the defense, aiming to surpass the results of the previous tournament.
On the other hand, Canada, ranked 41st in the world, participated in the tournament for the second time after nine tournaments, and was eliminated in the 1986 Mexico tournament after losing three consecutive games in the first round.
Coach John Hardman led the Canadian women's national team to bronze medals at both the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, and has been in charge of the men's team since 2018.
Players with high physical ability and speed, such as Alfonso Davies, who belongs to Germany's first division league Bayern Munich, are lined up, aiming for their first victory in the tournament after 36 years of participation.