Japan is in the round of 16 of the World Cup. For the fourth time in history. The Samurai equaled the best result at the World Championships after advancing from the group in which they had Spain and Germany as rivals. By coming back from behind and knocking out Spain and Germany (especially the latter), and making it to the top 16 in the world and setting up a meeting with history against Croatia. The longer the sentences become, the more incredible it sounds.When referee Victor Gomes signaled the end, the Japanese could begin their well-deserved celebration. Some fell to the ground, others pointed to the sky, the entire bench scattered on the field, Maya Yoshida didn’t even try to hide his tears. It’s like they won the World Cup, but when you finish the group stage ahead of Spain and Germany, is there really much of a difference?Until the start of the tournament in Qatar, the Japanese had never snatched the scalp of a world champion, former or current. They have two in the last nine days. And it’s impossible to say that luck played any part in either victory – well, that controversial moment aside – given that they were strikingly similar. On both occasions, the Samurai Blue were a goal down at half time. And on both occasions, Hajime Moriyasu, certainly one of the candidates for the coach of the tournament, made identical moves.##NAJAVA_MECA_6862161##Many doubted them when the 54-year-old specialist, four days after shocking the Germans, changed half of the team against Costa Rica. They wondered why he was giving a chance from the start to a certain Yuki Soma from Nagoya, and not Kaoru Mitoma, who had a huge impact on the turnaround in the first round. All those criticisms directed at Moriyasu were justified (at that moment) because the Japanese fell to the Costa Ricans after only one shot sent in their direction and missed the chance to secure a place in the next round after only 180 minutes.At the same time, they revived the hopes of the Panzers, who had already registered a victory over Costa Rica, to rely on Spain. However, they forgot, and they had the opportunity to learn from their example, that the Japanese also have their say in the whole story. Moriyasu didn’t have much to lose at halftime last night – he was cornered, his boys barely kept their heads above water after the first 45 minutes. He was forced to take risks, rewriting the recipe from the first round that included the introduction of Ritsu Doan and Kaoru Mitoma, a duo that managed to turn the tides of games. He kept the formation (5-4-1), but with the two mentioned changes, he ordered high pressure on the back line of Spain. The Red Fury hasn’t even returned from the break, where they left with an advantage, and they were already a goal behind. Caught off guard, just like Germany in the middle of last week.Who would have thought!? The Samurai beat Spain to top group E”It was really risky to go one-on-one against Morata. These guys, when you stay one-on-one and you give them a lot of space, it’s always difficult. But luckily the pressing was really effective today and we scored two goals right away. Then everything changed,” said the experienced Yoshida after the match.And that’s why, after everything he’s seen, he asks a logical question – how do you win Germany and Spain and lose to Costa Rica? The Japanese don’t like possession, when they have to keep the ball in their feet too often and break through the established defense. The attack on the equalizing goal consisted of four touches of the ball stemming from high pressing on Unai Simon, the second coming after five passes in the opponent’s half. Total possession of the ball in the match? Less than 18 percent of the time, which is the least for a team in the history of the World Cup that won the game. They also allowed the Spaniards over 700 passes in the game, previously the Germans as well, which is the only two times in the World Cups that the defeated teams made so many passes.Morocco: Topped a group including Croatia, Belgium and CanadaJapan: Topped a group including Spain, Germany and Costa RicaNobody saw them coming. Heroic 👏 pic.twitter.com/2z8MD77bLU— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 2, 2022 “In the first half, we were focused on forming a defensive block and preventing Busquets from creating play. From the beginning of the second half, we pressed and we did it as a team. Everything clicked and worked well,” revealed Maeda after the match.Japan’s World Cup miracle is based on organized defense, skillful counterattacks, timing; when to stand behind the ball and defend, and when to charge. If there was room for calculations, the Japanese did not think about it, they left the Spaniards to choose an “easier” rival in the knockout stage and turned their gaze towards the Croats with a smile on their face. And who knows how far Japan can go after their exploits in the group stage?! They found a formula for winning big games and proved it works. Above all, they showed the whole world how unpredictable the World Cup can be, even if this “corrupted” one, criticized so much…”We knew from the beginning that it would be really difficult. But this is how it always is at the World Cup. Everything is possible, in a positive and negative sense. Our goal is to win the next game because it will be a new history for Japan,” underlined Yoshida after yesterday’s match.Croats, you heard him.
