FIFA World Cup 2022: Japan FAQ, matches, goalscorers, Qatar WC journey

Japan, pitted against Germany and Spain in the World Cup group stages, defied odds and finished top of Group E but crashed out in the Round of 16 after loss against Croatia.

Talk of the town: Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma appears to have the ball over the line before crossing it for a goal during the match agianst Spain but the goal stood after VAR consultation. | Photo Credit: AP

Japan was drawn alongside Costa Rica and heavyweights Germany and Spain in Group E in the recently concluded FIFA World Cup that happened in Qatar.

The Samurai Blue started their World Cup with a bang as they went on to win against germany and bettered it by beating Spain in the group stages, gaining spotlight as ‘giant killers’.

Germany, although not favourite to win the World Cup, was a superior team on paper when compared to Japan but the clash between them said a different story. Die Mannschaft took the initial lead as Ilkay Gundogan converted from the spot but it was Japan-show all around in the second half with Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano scoring in quick succession to turn the tables.

While Moriyasu’s team suffered a minor setback with a 0-1 loss against Costa Rica, it came back all guns blazing with one of tournament’s biggest upset as it downed Spain 2-1. It was Doan yet again with the breakthrough and Ao Tanaka scored a controversial goal, that in hindsight, was one of the factors that knocked Germany out.

A team that many would’ve written off in a group of this calibre, defied odds and finished top of Group E.

Japan was finally stopped in the Round of 16 and in a heart-breaking fashion as it went down 1-3 in penalty shootout, after the game ended 1-1, against 2018 runner-up Croatia. Here are some frequently asked questions about the Asian team:

How many World Cups has Japan participated in?

Japan has participated in seven World Cup including Qatar World Cup 2022. It withdrew from the 1938 edition and was suspended during the 1950 World Cup by fifa after it failed to pay the dues in time.

What is Japan’s best finish at the FIFA World Cup?

Out of the seven World Cup participations, Japan has reached the Round of 16 four times - 2002, 2010 and 2018, including the 2022 edition.

Who is the coach of Japan?

A former midfielder of Japan, Hajime Moriyasu is Japan’s manager and  has been associated with the national set-up for five consecutive years now. Four years back, he worked as an assistant to Akira Nishino in the Russia World Cup, where Japan lost to Belgium in the pre-quarterfinals.

Where did Japan finish in the FIFA World Cup 2022?

After wins against World Cup giants Germany and Spain in the group stage, Japan finished top of Group E and qualified for the knockouts but crashed out of the tournament after it suffered a penalty shootout loss against Croatia in the Round of 16.

How many goals did Japan score in the FIFA World Cup 2022?

Japan scored a total of five goals in the FIFA World Cup 2022. Two each against Germany and Spain in group stages and a solitary goal against Croatia in the Round of 16. Moriyasu’s side was unable to scored against Costa Rica.

Who was the top scorer for Japan in the FIFA World Cup?

Ritsu Doan is the top goalscorer for Japan with two goals under his belt. The 24-year-old scored netter a goal each in Japan’s two group stage upsets against Germany and Spain.