FIFA FOOTBALL WORLD CUP QATAR 2022 - NEWS BLOG - UPDATE 8

 POST MATCH COMMENTS OF JAPAN'S SOCCER PLAYERS AFTER WINNING AGAINST SPAIN

TANAKA Aoi on the winning goal: "We believed in ourselves" World Cup match against Spain

The Japan of Group E of the first round of the World Cup Qatar defeated Spain 2-1 in the final match of the first round on 1 June (early morning of Japan time) to advance to the final tournament in first place. TANAKA Ao (Dusseldorf) was delighted, saying, "I have always imagined scoring goals at the World Cup." Here are his main post-match comments:

This is where a new history begins

――How do you honestly feel now?

After losing last time, there was an atmosphere that we might not be able to go, but we believed in ourselves. As with the stadium, many people cheered for us early in the morning in Japan, so it was good that we were able to win the match.

――What did you think about and make corrections in the second half?

Ideally, we would have been able to advance 0-0 in the first half while imagining the match against Germany to some extent, but it is inevitable that we conceded a goal. In the second half, we started with Ritsu (Doan) and we were able to turn the game around, because we had a lot of power.

--Come-from-behind goal. I was diving in a lot.

I believed in myself. I've always imagined myself scoring in the World Cup. I'm glad I was able to do that.

――What was your response?

◆As with today's match, there are many great players no matter who comes out. The final tournament was won by everyone's efforts. But I haven't accomplished anything yet. I think the next game is the beginning of a new history. We want to prepare ourselves well for that.

――Your next opponent is Croatia.

From here, every team is a strong opponent. The most important thing is to focus on ourselves and do what we can do. I want to be a little happy today, but I want to switch up and prepare.

Junya Ito: "What we endured in the first half came alive in the second half" World Cup match against Spain

The Japan of Group E of the first round of the World Cup Qatar defeated Spain 2-1 in the final match of the first round on 1 June (early morning of Japan time) to advance to the final tournament in first place. ITO Junya (Stade Reims) said, "What we endured in the first half came alive in the second half." The main comments are as follows.

Run for the team

We had to win and I'm really happy to win and move on.

We had no choice but to win (in the second half after leading 0-1) and come back, so he said the way we started the second half, "Let's go from the front." We managed to score two goals, so I feel like what we endured in the first half came alive in the second half.

After leading 2-1, I had to do what I had to do to help the team and not concede a goal after that.

We have to win again, we definitely want to win, so we want to prepare ourselves well for the next match.

JAPAN'S NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM AT FIFA WORLD CUP 2022

Takefusa Kubo: "I wasn't packing my bags, I was relieved" World Cup match against Spain

The Japan of Group E of the first round of the World Cup Qatar defeated Spain 2-1 on 1 June (2 Japan hours) to advance to the final tournament as the top of the group. KUBO Takefusa (Real Sociedad) was delighted, saying, "I didn't pack my bags, so I'm relieved that I didn't have to leave here." Here are his main post-match comments:

I didn't expect to be replaced by the performance in the first half.

To be honest, I don't care about everything because we won, but personally, I didn't expect to replace myself (from the second half) today. I am frustrated. I had a veteran player tell me to believe in the team. Ritsu (Doan), who came on as a substitute, scored with one chance. After that, MITOMA (Kaoru) also had a sore ankle, but he stretched his body at the end and scored (the pass that led to the second goal). Spain also had to attack, but Gonda (Shuichi) stopped the shot at the end. We won the victory together.

To be honest, I think everyone was watching and thinking, 'I'm in good shape.' I didn't get a result, so I'm not going to say anything more. But I'm in good condition, so I think I'll be able to prepare well for the next one.

It would be a shame if we beat these two teams (Germany and Spain) and lost to Croatia. From here, if we lose, it's over, but with one more game (to reach the top eight, the best ever), we can make Japan history. I want to be a player who can be caught up in the circle.

"Seriously everyone bravo!

The Japan of Group E of the first round of the World Cup Qatar defeated Spain 2-1 in the final match of the first round on 1 June (early morning of Japan time) to advance to the final tournament in first place. NAGATOMO Yuto (FC Tokyo) was delighted, saying, "Everyone is bravo. Here are his main post-match comments:

There is a mission to overcome the barrier of the final T1 round

――How do you feel now?

◆Can I say that? Bravo! Seriously everyone bravo! Thank you, really, thank you, seriously bravo. Amazing.

――During training, you said, "I dreamed of winning Spain and being Bravo." It was realized.

◆ This scene is as it is. I watched it as it was. My teammates, coach and staff are really bravo, and the supporters who cheered me on at the stadium here. Everyone who cheered in front of the TV at the Japan was also bravo. Bravo everyone. It's too amazing. I want to thank you. Thank you.

――They beat Germany and Spain to advance to the final tournament. What is your response?

◆Of course, there is a response. We had a very tough three days after losing against Costa Rica, but we all overcame these barriers, showed a rebound mentality, and came into the match with a strong mindset, which led to this result.

――Next is your mission to overcome the barrier of the first round of the playoffs, which you have been repelled from twice in the past. Towards that.

I've been really frustrated twice [in 2010 and '18]. With this team absolutely great, I definitely want to win the next one to see a new view.

――Let me tell you how you feel now.

◆Bravo!