Samurai Blue begin final prepping for opening match

DOHA — e Japan national team practiced behind closed doors on Monday as it begins nal preparations for its opening World Cup Group E match against four-time champion Germany on Wednesday. Mid elder Hidemasa Morita, who has been recovering from a le calf injury, participated in a full session for the rst time since joining the team from Europe, where he plays for Sporting Lisbon.

Japan, which is aiming to advance to the knockout stage for the second consecutive tournament, will face Costa Rica in its second match on Nov. 27 before concluding group play against Spain on Dec. 1.

(Published in print on Nov. 23)

Takuya Matsumoto / The Yomiuri Shimbun Japan’s national team warms up before a closed-door practice Monday in Doha ahead of its World Cup opener against Germany.