Regarding the Japan national team's defeat to Croatia in the first round of the final tournament at the World Cup Qatar soccer tournament, the former head coach of the national team, Akira Nishino, said, "It was four and a half years when Japan's strengths were built up. Four years from now. I was convinced that we would be able to show the world of the best 8 without a doubt."
Japan fought well
Japan's soccer team failed to advance to the quarter-finals for the first time after losing to Croatia after a penalty kick match in the first round of the World Cup finals.
A day after the match, Nishino told NHK, "I think Japan was very confident after passing the first league. Croatia put a lot of pressure on us in the first half.It's a pity that we weren't able to win the match in the 120-minute challenge, but we played well," he praised the players.
Regarding the penalty shootout, he said, ``I have to honestly praise the Croatian goalkeeper.
Four years later, in the top 8, which is definitely a long-cherished wish
Looking back on the Japan national team's fight at this tournament, "I think it was a different scene in the best 16 stage. That's partly because we won against Germany and Spain. We have changed because of our competitiveness.Four years ago, we thought that something was lacking, but this time, we think that the lacking part has been reduced.In the past four and a half years, Japan's strengths have been steadily accumulated." I was.
On top of that, he added, "Unfortunately, I don't think we're strong enough to consistently perform at the world's top level. Now that we've clearly seen what we've improved and what doesn't work, I think the growth curve will rise again. If we continue to grow in the same way, four years from now, I am confident that we will be able to show the world of the best 8, which is our long-cherished wish.”