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The fifth of Asia’s five national teams gets underway on Wednesday as Japan face Germany in Doha.
At a tournament in which their stated aim is to reach the quarterfinals this will be a stern test for Japan against a nation that they have deep footballing, cultural and social ties with.
It’s the culmination of four years of work under coach Hajime Moriyasu that has made Japan a defensively well organised side that are rigid and hard to break down.
Unleashing the creative talents that the central and wide midfield areas are flush with has been a greater challenge for Moriyasu though, especially against tougher, non-Asian, opposition.
Almost from the moment that the draw produced both Germany and Spain there’s been a belief that Moriyasu’s inherent conservatism would be doubled down upon.
It’s worth wondering that if he were to adopt the same proactive manner that Saudi Arabia went about things against Argentina if that would be playing better to the nation’s strengths.
Fitness concerns look to have eased for both central defender Takehiro Tomiyasu and central midfielder Wataru Endo, but Hidemasa Morita and Kaoru Mitoma seem less likely starters, although that still leaves Japan with more than enough quality in the final third to cause Germany problems.
If, as seems likely, it will be Junya Ito on the right and Daizen Maeda up front the temptation may then be to opt for a surprise start for Yuki Soma at left wing to give Japan the pace to both cause trouble on the counter and have a pack of fast forwards to look to press the European side into mistakes.
That will need to be an approach that’s executed to perfection though for any gaps that are left are likely to be ruthlessly exploited and a lack of mobility at the back is a genuine concern for a Japan side that needs to find a way to ensure they play high enough up the pitch to give those attacking options the chance to find space of their own.
In short, this is a Japan side that plays with a familiar tactical approach against bigger opponents and it’s unlikely that Moriyasu will look to alter it in their World Cup opener; the question is can he find the balance to get Japan off to a positive start.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
DAIZEN MAEDA – The rise from a brief, failed, stint in Europe and a return to the second tier of local football barely three years ago to being a J1 league winner with Yokohama and now a regular at a club that featured in the European Champions League is nothing short of stunning and the running that the pacy Celtic man will do out of possession could be key to any Japanese success.
WATARU ENDO – There were fears that injury could force the combative central midfielder to miss Japan’s campaign but he’s seemingly recovered to line up against Germany on Wednesday.
A strong tackler and with the quality to both drop or push higher up when in possession he’s the fulcrum through which much of the play will pass and although he’s been slightly down on form over the past 18 months when in a Japan shirt you get the sense that the Asian nation will need him to lean on all his experience and toughness if Japan are to surprise the Germans.
MAYA YOSHIDA – At 34, he’s in the twilight of his career and almost certainly at his final World Cup. The pace and movement is also starting to dim which means his positioning and organisation will need to spot on.
WHAT THEY SAID
Hajime MORIYASU – Japan Coach
“For us it’s going to be about changing history. That’s the target we feel.”
Maya YOSHIDA – Japan Captain
“The first match is the challenging one, to win this group it’s a very important match.
“We need to be courageous. Germany is a top team, it’s not easy, but each one of us works hard. We have good qualities and we are united. This is the key.
PREDICTIONS
Scott McIntyre
Germany 1-0 Japan
Paul Williams
Germany 2-1 Japan
Photo: Mike Hewitt – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
