FIFA World Cup: Jaded Japan seeks to slay another giant despite Costa Rica defeat

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu believes his team still has a shot at the last 16 of the World Cup and can even beat former champion Spain, despite its 1-0 loss to Costa Rica.

Published : Nov 27, 2022 21:02 IST , Al Rayyan

Japan’s head coach Hajime Moriyasu reacts during the contest between Japan and Costa Rica. Japan looked sluggish, static, and out of ideas on how to beat Costa Rica.
Japan’s head coach Hajime Moriyasu reacts during the contest between Japan and Costa Rica. Japan looked sluggish, static, and out of ideas on how to beat Costa Rica. | Photo Credit: AP
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Japan’s head coach Hajime Moriyasu reacts during the contest between Japan and Costa Rica. Japan looked sluggish, static, and out of ideas on how to beat Costa Rica. | Photo Credit: AP

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu believes his team still has a shot at the last 16 of the World Cup and can even beat former champion Spain, despite its dismal 1-0 defeat to a Costa Rica side that let in seven goals in its opening match.

The four-times Asian champion, which stunned Germany with a 2-1 win in its Group E opener, spurned a perfect chance to advance to the next phase on Sunday with a match remaining, conceding late on to a team that scored with its first shot on target of the Qatar World Cup. Japan looked sluggish, static, and out of ideas on how to beat a Costa Rica side that went for a rigid back five to prevent more goal haemorrhaging.

Moriyasu seemed reluctant to utilise his glut of attacking options on his bench. “I don’t think it was a total mistake from us,” he told a news conference.

“Against Spain, we are going for the win and that’s what we need to focus on. The next match against Spain will be a very intense game. We need to improve the odds for Japan,” Moriyasu added.

Uphill task ahead

Japan has been a permanent fixture at the World Cup since debuting in 1998 and has reached the last 16 three times, more than any other Asian side. The Samurai Blue can still qualify for the next round, but may need to pull off another feat of giant-slaying when they meet Spain on Thursday, a scenario made far less likely by Sunday’s tepid showing in Al Rayyan.

Moriyasu said he would approach the Spain game differently and analyse how it performed against Germany in Sunday’s later Group E match.

“We will of course come up with a different game plan, different tactics, of course for the next match we are going for a win,” he said. “Spain are a strong team but we were always thinking about three matches; we will try to advance, so we need good preparation.”

“We have respect for them. Spain are a young team but I believe there’s a good chance we can win; with confidence, we will go for the next match.”

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