Japan Faces Major Challenge Against Brazil Without Key Player
HOUSTON — As Japan prepares for one of the most significant matches in FIFA World Cup history, the team will once again be without prominent playmaker Takefusa Kubo for the crucial Round of 32 showdown against Brazil on Monday.
Despite Kubo’s absence, Japan’s head coach, Hajime Moriyasu, remains hopeful that his team can achieve what many consider a monumental upset. “We have the chance to change history,” he expressed, reflecting on the trail Japan has blazed thus far in the tournament.
After a hard-fought 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in their opening game, Kubo missed the match against Tunisia and the subsequent game versus Sweden. He has been training at Japan’s headquarters in Nashville while his teammates competed in Monterrey, Mexico, and Arlington, Texas.
Kubo has been engaged in an individualized training regimen aimed at facilitating his return. However, during a brief 15-minute practice session open to the media on Sunday, he did not seem completely comfortable, opting to train separately and focus on agility drills.
Later that day, Moriyasu confirmed Kubo’s continued absence from the lineup. “He is still focused on individual training,” Moriyasu stated. “He will not participate in the match against Brazil. We hope for his swift recovery, and he shares that desire.”
Recognizing the heightened stakes in this match, Moriyasu emphasized the importance of their journey. Just nine months ago, few expected Japan to reach this stage. “Brazil is currently the world’s top-ranked team, while our ranking is comparatively lower. We understand that,” he remarked when addressing Brazil’s status as a favorite in this World Cup.
“Our ambitions are high; we aim to win the World Cup, an achievement that has eluded us thus far. Many observers are beginning to take notice of our progress,” he added. He reiterated that every opportunity on the field fuels the belief that victory is within reach. “We acknowledge Brazil as the top team but believe we can win. We will approach the match with that mindset.”
Moriyasu expressed respect for their opponents while recalling Japan’s own underdog status, particularly in light of last year’s friendly victory over Brazil. He noted, “This is our moment to redefine history, as the entire world will be watching us.” The team’s performance in this match could mark a transformative chapter in Japan’s football narrative.
In this knockout stage, the possibility of a penalty shootout looms large, especially considering Japan’s heartbreaking defeat to Croatia in the last World Cup round of 16. Aware of this potential, Moriyasu clarified his strategy for penalty situations: “If we reach that point, I will determine the order of the kickers, rather than relying on players to volunteer as we did previously.”
Should Japan triumph over Brazil, the team will advance to face the winner of the match between Ivory Coast and Norway on July 5 at New Jersey Stadium in New York.
