FIFA FOOTBALL WORLD CUP QATAR 2022 - NEWS BLOG - UPDATE 9

 JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER AMONG OTHERS PRAISE THE PERFORMANCE OF JAPAN IN MATCH AGAINST SPAIN

Maya Yoshida: "I can't quit the national team, it's great" World Cup match against Spain

The Japan of Group E of the first round of the World Cup Qatar defeated Spain 2-1 on Sunday (2 Japan hours) to advance to the final tournament for the second consecutive time. Captain YOSHIDA Maya (Schalke) said, "It was great, our original goal is to win the next match. I want to rewrite history." The main comments are as follows.

I want to win one more and rewrite history

――It was a brilliant victory.

◆ (Holding on to joy for a while) I can't put it into words.

――Is it the best?

◆No, this is why I can't stop being a representative. It was awesome.

――We played with three backs from the start.

◆Looking at some of the matches that our opponents played against, we played against each other in a back four at the Olympics last summer, so it must be quite difficult. The plan was to play with a back of three or five, to fit well and to be patient at the back.

We conceded a goal at the start, and it was a tough time after that, but we were trying to be patient like we did against Germany and look for chances in the second half, so I'm glad we were able to do well again.

――After the comeback in the second half, you didn't feel like you were going to be beaten.

◆ (with a wry smile) It felt insanely long. It felt really long. But before the match, I kind of got an idea that it would be difficult to pry against the opponents [Spain] had drawn. It took quite a long time to finish the project, but I think it was the result of everyone fighting hard and working hard.

――Next is the final tournament.

◆Our original goal is to win the next one. Even today, everyone was saying, "We can't go back here." I want to enjoy playing football every day with my teammates, and I want to enjoy this joy every day to play for the national team and improve even more.

I think many people in Japan supported us from early in the morning. Not only the Japan people at the stadium, but also the local people are cheering for us, which is a great help.

We would be happy if this sparked enthusiasm for football and various people took an interest in football, but we would like to win one more match and rewrite history.

MAYA YOSHIDA - JAPANESE FOOTBALL TEAM CAPTAIN IN WORLD CUP QATAR 2022

Daizen Maeda: "Coaches and players fought as one" World Cup match against Spain

The Japan of Group E of the first round of the World Cup Qatar defeated Spain 2-1 on Sunday (2 Japan hours) to advance to the final tournament for the second consecutive time. MAEDA Daizen (Celtic) said, "The coach and the players were able to come together as one to play like this." The main comments are as follows.

Be more happy when you get back to your locker

――We will beat Germany and Spain to advance to the final tournament.

It was said that Germany and Spain would move up (to the final tournament), but it was great to be able to break through in first place. But that's not what this team is aiming for right now, so we want to make sure we make the switch and get ready for the next match against Croatia.

――After a disappointing result in the second match against Costa Rica, how did you bring your mentality to the match against Spain?

Not only did the young players express their opinions, but the team as a whole said, "If we play this way, we can play well." The coaches and players were able to come together and play like this. I think they're a great team.

――What was your offensive plan?

◆As a team, we pulled in well, left space and countered. We did well at the beginning of the first half, but we conceded a goal and it went down. We have to reflect on that, but we kept it to the minimum and we were able to come back in the second half.

――When we pulled up from the pitch, we gave each other high-fives and celebrated.

I think I'll be happier when I go back to my locker. But we have to be challengers, so we have to prepare ourselves for the next game.

"Let the people have courage and energy" Prime Minister calls coach MORIYASU Hajime to win the World Cup against Spain

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida praised Japan beat Spain in the first round of the World Cup Qatar on Wednesday and clinched a spot in the final tournament, saying, "I am heartfelt happy that Japan achieved a historic victory." He also revealed that he called coach Hajime Moriyasu and congratulated him, saying, "The people of Japan have given me courage and energy." He told reporters at the Prime Minister's Office.

The prime minister said that he watched the match against Spain from the middle of the first half, which started at 4 a.m. on the 2nd in Japan hours, and expressed his hope for his performance in the final tournament, saying, "I hope that the coaches and players will continue to work hard and prepare for the next match." Coach Moriyasu replied, "I am very happy that we were able to deliver courage and energy to everyone in Japan."

Regarding the protests expressed by athletes from participating countries and regions over human rights issues in Qatar, he said, "Japan must firmly feel that the international community takes it seriously, and I myself have once again felt the importance of human rights as a concrete action in the world of sports."

PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN - FUMIO KISHIDA

Kaoru Mitoma on assist for the final goal: "It was within our plan" World Cup match against Spain

The Japan of Group E of the first round of the World Cup Qatar defeated Spain 2-1 on Sunday (2 Japan hours) to advance to the final tournament for the second consecutive time. MITOMA Kaoru (Brighton), who came on in the second half and was involved in the winning goal, said, "We were proceeding within our plan, so we thought 0-1 was OK, and we prepared ourselves thinking that we would win the second half." The main comments are as follows.

The match against Croatia will also be a matter of patience

――They beat Spain and Germany to advance to the final tournament.

◆I think it is two big wins in the World Cup so far. But if we can reach the last eight in the next match, we can make another history, so we want to stay focused again.

――Next is Croatia. What is your impression?

◆There are players who have high individual quality and are world-famous. I think they also have a counter. We will have to be patient, but we want to play a match like today and win again.

――The world's attention is increasing. What kind of weapon do you want to show as a weapon for Mitoma?

◆When there is space, I think I can carry it myself and make assists and chances. That's what I want you to see.

――To the first round of the final tournament.

◆Whether we win one more game or not, I think the future of football Japan will change. We won as a team today, so we want to win as one again.