Samurai spirit fuels Japan for Croatia battle
Courage key to reaching first quarter-final, says Nagatomo Squad now have quality to complement organisation
Yuto Nagatomo, his hair dyed red and his face a picture of steely resolve, certainly had the look of a warrior prepared for battle. It is a theme the defender is tapping into this week, and he is desperately hoping that his Japanese teammates are able to do the same.
The 36-year-old is demanding courage from his side, and what better way to motivate his compatriots than to evoke the spirit of the Samurai?
“I am the one who mentions the Samurai very often,” said Nagatomo at a wonderfully engaging press conference ahead of Japan’s roundof-16 meeting with Croatia today. “This is a great opportunity to show how we can fight like Samurais.”
Japan have never made it beyond the round of 16 at a World Cup but this year there is a different feel to their team. There is a different confidence, too, after becoming the erratic disruptors of the tournament, defeating Spain and Germany but losing to Costa Rica in the space of eight wild days during the group stage.
Nagatomo, formerly of Inter Milan, said he has been screaming “coraggio” – the Italian for courage – at his team-mates throughout this tournament. He sees the talent at Japan’s disposal and knows it will count for little if their players are not psychologically prepared for the challenge of a World Cup knockout match.
“I use the analogy of the Samurai,” said Nagatomo, who has made 141 international appearances. “Before they go to battle, they polish their weapons and try to improve their techniques. But if they are scared during the battle, they will not be able to use their weapons and their techniques fully. It is exactly the same with football.
“In order for us to maximise all the tactics that we have been discussing and practising in the last four years, we need courage,” he added. “Against Croatia, I would really very much like to showcase how courageously we are fighting.”
The view of Hajime Moriyasu, the Japan coach, is that previous national teams have always been well drilled and hard working . This year, though, he sees a higher level of individual quality and physicality. The Japan of 2022 are more than just a well-functioning unit, as they now have star players who can make a real difference against the most powerful nations.
“Japan has always been a team that can play an organised game,” Moriyasu said. “That has always been part of our training. But unless the individual players are strong, this is not really sufficient.
“Of course there are tactics, but in the last four years I have really felt that the individual players grew themselves and became much more capable.”
Most impressive, perhaps, is the strength in depth of this Japan squad. Of their four goals at this tournament, three have been scored by substitutes. Ritsu Doan, the Freiburg forward, has struck twice from the bench, while Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma has been majestic as a second-half impact player. There are few wingers who can dribble as effectively and thrillingly as the 25-year-old.
“All of the players are manifesting this courageous play,” Nagatomo said. “I can really feel we are united as one, and this is Japan’s strength. I think we are the most united team in the World Cup. No matter who is pitched in or playing [from the start], we are playing well. That is the thing that has changed since the last World Cup.”
Four years ago, Japan were about 20 minutes from the quarter-finals. Two up against Belgium in Russia, they seemed certain to go where no Japanese team had gone before until the game was transformed by the arrival off the bench of Marouane Fellaini. Japan conceded three times, the winner coming in the 94th minute.
For the players involved, it was a traumatic occasion. “I have never forgotten about that battle against Belgium,” said Nagatomo, who is playing in his fourth World Cup. “Sometimes scenes from the match suddenly come back to me.
“The last four years have been very tough, but I think we have grown mentally as well as physically. As far as I can see, this team is the best and the strongest that has ever competed for Japan at the World Cup.”
With their warrior mindset, energetic substitutes and penchant for remarkable comebacks, Japan have been one of the revelations of this tournament. To them, this World Cup journey is only just beginning.