On the 28th, the Japan national team, which is heading to the World Cup Qatar soccer tournament, started preparations for the third match of the first league match against Spain. I talked about my intentions.
The Japanese national soccer team faced Costa Rica in the second round of the World Cup Qatar tournament on the 27th, and lost the game 0-1 after taking the lead in the final stages.
Japan now have one win and one loss, and whether or not they can advance to the final tournament depends on the result of the final match.
On the 28th, the day after the match, the Japanese players started training at their training facility in Doha for the third match against Spain on the 1st of next month.
Before practice, Princess Takamado, Honorary President of the Japan Football Association, Princess Hisako, visited and encouraged the players.
Players who played longer in the match against Costa Rica, such as captains YOSHIDA Maya and NAGATOMO Yuto, improved their condition with light menus such as running without using the ball.
In addition, players who did not have the chance to play in the match against Costa Rica or who played for only a short amount of time underwent high-intensity training, including actual match-style practice. I was repeatedly checking the movement to quickly carry the ball and bring it to the shoot.
On the other hand, Wataru Endo, who plays a key role in offense and defense as a defensive midfielder, complained of pain in his right knee after the match against Costa Rica, so he didn't participate in the training session and had to make adjustments at the hotel.
In the match against powerhouse Spain on the 1st of next month, if they win, they will advance to the final tournament for the second consecutive tournament, but if they lose, they will be eliminated.
Ito said, “It's important to turn the ball we steal into high-quality counterattacks.
Yuto Nagatomo "Fight with all your soul and be sure to break through the first league"
Yuto Nagatomo said, "Manager Moriyasu also said, 'We can still get results on our own, so let's switch and move forward.' I want to prepare to fight as a team."
He also said, ``I will do my best to fight with all my soul so that the Spain match will not be the last game, and I will definitely make it through the first league.''
Takumi Minamino: "Stay focused and play as a team"
Takumi Minamino said, "It's very difficult to change yesterday's loss, but it's a short-term decisive battle, so the game will come soon. There is a possibility that we can break through the first league with our own strength, so we will prepare well for that. '' he said.
On top of that, "I felt that Spain had players who had the ability to build up attacks from the back and the ability to decide the game. We need to be more focused and play as a team than in the last game. I think it's a big climax for us, and I want to do my best to win and advance to the first league."
Aoi Tanaka "Resolve the regrets of the Olympics"
Aoi Tanaka said, “There is no point in looking back on the past, so we are switching. I think Spain will be a very difficult opponent, but we are confident that we won against Germany. '' he said.
Also, after losing to Spain in the semi-finals at the Tokyo Olympics last summer, he said, "I don't want to be the same as that time, so it's important for us to take action first. I think everyone in the Olympic generation has regrets. So, if we can make it clear here, it will be rewarded a little. I think it's important to be able to do what we want to do, so I'd like to prepare well for the next two days."