Arab News Japan

It’s a do-or-die situation for Japan in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. A win against Spain will guarantee the Blue Samurai a place in the knockout stages for a second straight time, but a defeat will see them head home.

The two teams clash on Thursday night at 11pm UAE time.

Coach Hajime Moriyasu is wary of Spain’s threat but backed his players to spring another surprise.
“Tomorrow is going to be a high-pressure game for our players but they must believe in themselves and in their team-mates,” he said Wednesday.

“It’s always an important match — that never changes. If the players can play to 100 percent of their potential, then the result will follow.”

Moriyasu called Spain a “tactically strong” team who have “dynamism as well as technique”.

Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda said Spanish players are “good at being in the right place at the right time” and warned his team-mates to have their wits about them.

“People say Spain play like a computer game because they play in such a consistent way — they have a style and a plan of attack that they stick to,” he said.

“I don’t think they’re going to change that depending on the opponent. They’ll stick to what they do.”

Both teams are likely to feature several of the players who met in the semi-finals of last year’s pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics.

Spain won that game 1-0 after extra time but Moriyasu believes his players are ready to take revenge in Qatar.

“It was very disappointing and both myself and the players are still frustrated about it,” he said.

“I think the players have developed since then and I hope we can get a result to celebrate this time.”

Japan are likely to be without influential midfielder Wataru Endo through injury, although Moriyasu said right-back Hiroki Sakai should be fit again after missing the Costa Rica game.

A win over Spain would give Japan their biggest World Cup result ever but Moriyasu insisted he was not feeling the pressure.

“The question is whether we can play our best or not — I hope we don’t have any regrets in that regard,” he said.

“We always aim to win and that will be the same again tomorrow.”

The Japanese opened their campaign with a surprising win over four-time champions Germany before losing to Costa Rica. They were eliminated by Belgium in the last 16 in Russia.

Germany’s chances of staying alive in Qatar will largely depend on Spain winning its match against Japan. Then a victory over Costa Rica would be enough for the Germans.

(With inputs from AFP)