Japan set World Cup target

After picking his final 26-men squad, Japan coach Moriyasu Hajime has set the quarterfinals as Japan’s main target at the forthcoming World Cup to be staged in Qatar this month.

The prestigious football extravaganza is set to kick off on 20 November, and the Samurai Blue are eyeing the quarterfinals as their main target.

Coach Hajime made audacious decisions, dropping workhorse midfield enforcer Genki Haraguchi and forward Yuya Osako, who were vital cogs in their qualification sojourn.

“I couldn’t call up everyone who was looking forward to this World Cup, but I thank and honour everyone who has expressed a desire to represent Japan. 

“We’re a resilient group who will fight to the finish. Our target is the quarterfinals, no less than that.

“We realise getting there will not be easy and will need the support of our fans and the entire country.

“Hopefully, the view we will have in the end will be better than the ones we’ve had in the past,” Hajime said while addressing a press conference in Japan.

JAPAN COACH DESCRIBED HIS TROOPS AS ‘RESILENT’

Six players that took part in the 2018 World Cup finals retained their positions in the team.

These include goalkeepers Eiji Kawashima, Yuto Nagatomo, Maya Yoshida, Hiroki Sakai, Wataru Endo and Gaku Shibasaki. 

Undoubtedly, Hajime’s credentials are under massive scrutiny, with so much expectations for him to steer the Samurai Blue to a respectable finish.

Japan will be making their seventh consecutive dance on the global showpiece.

This all but thrusts them under pressure to deliver although they are in arguably one of the most toughest groups which consists of former champions Germany and Spain.

Costa Rica complete the Group F quartet.

Hajime has however, bestowed his faith in strikers that will be making their debut at the World Cup finals in a squad that is headlined by the likes of Kubo Takefusa and Tomiyasu Takehiro.

Brentford midfielder Mitoma Kaoru has also been drafted in the squad although he is yet to regain full fitness following an injury, he sustained a fortnight ago.

“When making the selection, we talked about not having World Cup experience,” he said. 

“Experience is obviously important. But we are counting on the ambition of those who want it at the World Cup despite the lack of experience,” Hajime added.

Before plunging into the finals, Japan is looking forward to measure their pedigree in a friendly match slated for November 9 against Canada who will also preparing for the second dance at the tourney.

The match will be played in the United Arab Emirates.