At the World Cup Qatar Football Tournament, Japan will play against Spain at 4:00 a.m. Japan time on the 2nd to advance to the final tournament.

What are the characteristics of Spain?

2010 World Cup South Africa Tournament First victory

Spain, ranked 7th in the world, is participating in the World Cup for the 16th time in 12 consecutive tournaments.



From the latter half of the 2000s, the team built a golden era centered around Iniesta, who plays for J1's Vissel Kobe, and in 2010 won the South Africa tournament for the first time, becoming one of only eight teams to win the World Cup.

Attention is young duo

20-year-old Pedri and 18-year-old Gabi will be the focus of this tournament.



A young midfield duo belonging to Barcelona, ​​the powerhouse of the Spanish first division league.



Both of them boast high skills and plenty of exercise, and are expected to be similar to Iniesta, who was in the same position during the golden age, and Xavi, who currently leads Barcelona.

The pillar of the team is the captain who knows glory

Supporting this duo at the bottom of the midfield is Sergio Busquets, 34-year-old veteran and captain who has played in four tournaments in a row.



He is the only player in the squad who knows the glory of the South African tournament, and he is able to easily pull off difficult plays with his excellent technique and precise positioning.



With these three players at the center, Spain kept possession of the ball in midfield and waited for chances.

Barcelona players in action

Barcelona players account for eight of the 26 members.



Five of the 11 members entrusted to the starting line-up in the first match against Costa Rica by manager Enrique, who once led the team, were Barcelona players.



Defender Jordi Alba, midfielders Busquets, Gabi, Pedri, and forward Ferran Torres.



Then, the team excited the audience with a harmonious combination of players who usually play, scoring seven goals, including Ferran Torres' two goals and Gabi's goal at the World Cup, becoming the youngest player ever to score for the national team.



After the match, Coach Enrique showed confidence in the team's performance, saying, ``I trust all the players.

Overwhelming powerhouse Germany in possession of the ball

In the following match against Germany, the squad was almost the same as the first match, and although they led by one goal, they caught up in the final stages and drew 1-1.



Bringing Barcelona's style of holding the ball by connecting passes to any opponent to the national team, Japan's ball possession rate greatly exceeds 56% to 36% against Germany, a powerhouse that has been attacked from beginning to end, and the degree of perfection is high. showed off.

Watch out for Spain

After the second match, Spain leads Group E with 4 points, but all 4 teams are in close competition with the possibility of advancing to the knockout stages.



After the match against Germany, Rodri, who has played the full game as a defender so far, said, ``I'm going to give it my all.



In addition, defender Dani Carvajal said, "We will go into the match against Japan with 100% and win in order to pass the first league at the top."



They never let their guard down before the match against Japan, and even in the training session after the match against Germany, they showed a firm atmosphere.

How Japan will challenge

On the other hand, it is expected that Japan will be able to keep possession of the ball longer in their match against Spain, as they did against Germany.



In the match against Germany, Spain were caught in a pinch when the opponent stole a pass that they tried to connect near their own penalty area, and they missed the mark in a set-play, showing a chance.



In addition, Busquets, who plays a central role in the team, has received one yellow card so far, and several Spanish media have reported that he may miss the match against Japan, and Gabi also played against Germany. I'm adjusting it in another menu.



Coach MORIYASU Hajime said, ``It's going to be a tough match, but I think we have a good chance to win, so I'll prepare well and go into the match with confidence.''



In the match against Spain, which will require points to advance to the final tournament, the Japanese national team will be asked whether their efforts over the past four years will bear fruit.