FIFA FOOTBALL WORLD CUP QATAR 2022 - NEWS BLOG - UPDATE 26

 HIGHLIGHTS FROM MATCH BETWEEN FRANCE AND POLAND

Nagatomo ahead of Croatia match: "The important thing is Coraggio" Japan national football team

At the World Cup Qatar, the Japan National Team will face defending runners-up Croatia in the first round of the final tournament from 6:00 p.m. on 5 (0:00 a.m. on 6 Japan time). At an official press conference near Doha on the 4th, NAGATOMO Yuto (FC Tokyo) said that "the important thing is the colaggio (courage)" for the big one, who are aiming to advance to the last eight for the first time. The main comments are as follows

◆We got here by finishing first in the tough group of Spain, Costa Rica and Germany. We're confident in our ability and we know we can do it. Japan will mark a golden page in the history of football. We want to win with that enthusiasm.

――In Russia 2018, you lost to Belgium in the first round of the final tournament.

I have never forgotten the match against Belgium. The past four years have been more difficult, but we overcame them together and each one of us improved our mental skills and bodies. I have been playing for the national team for almost 15 years and I can say with confidence and pride that this team is the strongest in history. We definitely want to beat Croatia and see a new landscape. And I want to shout bravo loudly again.

――You have inspired young players.

Before the match against Germany, he injected the word "colaggio" in Italian, which means courage and bravery, while shaking hands with each person. Everyone embodies the way Coraggio plays. Even if I don't tell them anymore, I think everyone will be able to show their passionate fighting spirit and play hard.

――What do you need to do in the match against Croatia?

Samurai polish their weapons and skills before going to battle, but when it comes to battle and they are frightened in front of the enemy, their weapons become useless. It's the same with football. Tactics and techniques are important, but no matter how much you improve them, you will never be able to make the most of them if you get freaked out on the pitch at the World Cup. That's why I think the most important thing is Colaggio to make the most of the tactics and skills that we have accumulated over the past four years. I want to fight bravely and show the soul of Japan people to the world.

Neymar, injured in first match, will return against Korea Republic coach: "If it's okay, I'll play"

Brazil coach Chi-Chi mentioned at a press conference near Doha on the 4th that ace Neymar may return in the first round of the final tournament against Korea Republic on 5 June (6 Japan hours). The coach said: "We will train today and if everything is okay, we will go to the game, that's the truth."

Neymar injured his right ankle in the first game of the first round against Serbia.

Croatia coach Daric 'won't let his guard down for a second' ahead of Japan clash

Croatia national team coach Daric of the defending World Cup runners-up Croatia National Team held a press conference near Doha on the 4th and said, "I think Japan is gaining confidence after beating Spain and Germany ahead of the first round of the final tournament, where they will meet Japan on 5 December (early morning of Japan time 6). Don't let your guard down for even a second. I know they won't give in, but we won't give in either.

FRANCE NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM IN WORLD CUP 2022

France take the lead over Poland Giroud is the top scorer in national team history at the World Cup

The first round of the World Cup Qatar took place in Doha on 4 December (early morning of Japan hours), where France (1st place in Group D) and Poland (2nd place in Group C) faced each other.

France opened the scoring with a goal from Giroud to make it 1-0.

France responded to Mbappe's pass just before the end of the first half when Giroud responded and fed it into the net. The 36-year-old scored his 52nd goal for the national team, surpassing Henry to break the French all-time record. Defensively, goalkeeper Lloris made a good save.

Mbappe scores a goal against France, Poland 2-0 at the World Cup

The first round of the World Cup Qatar took place in Doha on 4 December (early morning of Japan hours), where France (1st place in Group D) and Poland (2nd place in Group C) faced each other.

France extended their lead to 2-0 in the second half thanks to Mbappe's goal. Mbappe scored his fourth goal of the tournament.

Champions of France's top eight, coach Deschamps: "Another tournament from here" Soccer World Cup

The first round of the World Cup Qatar was held on 4 December (5 Japan hours), where defending champions France defeated Poland 3-1 to advance to the quarterfinals.

France's coach Deschamps, who won the World Cup as a player and coach and knows how to play in the final tournament, said at a press conference on the 3rd.

"It's the start of another competition, it's different from the first round where we played three games.

If you lose, it's over. He stressed the need for a more cautious fight. In such a tense match, the best attackers in the tournament showed their true strength.

They attacked early on, but did not let the net swing. In a frustrating stretch, they opened the scoring with a record-breaking goal just before the end of the first half. The 36-year-old Giroud broke the balance by surpassing Henry to score his 52nd goal for the national team, the most in French history.

In the second half, Mbappe struck a series of powerful shots from the left of the penalty area. They conceded a penalty in the closing minutes, but after a solid match to beat Poland, countless blue, white and red tricolour flags waved in the stands.

Heading into the playoffs, the team had some worries. After back-to-back wins, they lost the third and final match of the first round to Tunisia. In order to prepare for the all-out match in the final tournament, the players who had been in reserve were sent to the starting line-up, and there were a series of mistakes in succession. They did not function as a team, their individual performances were poor, and they finished the first round with a bad aftertaste.

"Everyone has worked hard and I feel good, so I have a little time to prepare myself [for the quarter-finals]," said a cheerful coach Deschamps. They are one step forward to become the third team in World Cup history to win back-to-back titles.

France reach the last eight and beat Poland 3-1 at the World Cup

The first round of the World Cup Qatar was held in Doha on 4 December (early morning of Japan hours and 5 days), where defending champions France (1st place in Group D) defeated Poland (2nd place in Group C) 3-1 to reach the last eight of the tournament for the third consecutive time.

France will face the winner of England (1st place in Group B) and Senegal (2nd place in Group A) in the quarterfinals.

France took the lead just before the end of the first half when Giroud reacted to Mbappe's pass. In the second half, Mbappe scored twice from the counter-attack. Mbappe has scored five goals in the tournament.

Poland played in the playoffs for the first time in 36 years since Mexico 1986, but Lewandowski scored just one goal in the closing minutes.