Thanks to players like Shinji Kagawa, Japanese football has gained much respect and admiration in Central Europe in recent years. The team is no longer seen as a cheeky outsider when competing in world championships. Coach Hajime Moriyasu wants to deepen this impression and write a success story with Japan at the 2022 World Cup .
After the draw, however, this seems to be an impossibility. Because Japan is in Group E of the 2022 World Cup with the selection of Germany, Spain and Costa Rica , the winner of the playoff. Since only the top two in the group will advance to the knockout stage, the Japanese team will likely finish after the preliminary round stage. However, here we want to take a look at the Japan World Cup 2022 squad, which wants to cause problems for the group favorites.
Analysis of the possible Japan squad for the 2022 World Cup.
The Japanese team has mostly played in a 4-2-3-1 system or 4-3-3 offensive system in the recent past. So it is not unlikely that we will see both systems in Qatar depending on the opposition.
Archers.
The number 1 goal in Japan belongs to Shuichi Gonda (Shimizu S-Pulse), 33 years old. His first representative is Eiji Kawashima (RC Strasbourg), who is already 39 years old. The third goalkeeper in the Japan 2022 World Cup squad should be Daniel Schmidt (VV St. Truiden), born in the USA.
defenses
Captain Maya Yoshida (Sampdoria) is top-seeded in central defence. Trained right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal FC) is likely to line up alongside him. Ko Itakura (FC Schalke 04), Sogo Taniguchi (Kawasaki Frontale) and Naomichi Ueda (Nîmes Olympique) are available as substitutes.
At right back, veteran Japanese international Hiroki Sakai (Urawa Red Diamonds) has the best starting cards in the lineup. The second option is Miki Yamane (Kawasaki Frontale). At left back is veteran Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), 36, who has already earned more than 130 caps for the Japanese team. As a younger alternative, 25-year-old Dutch legionnaire Yuta Nakayama (PEC Zwolle) takes a seat on the bench.
Midfielders.
Numerous German legionnaires can be found in the center of the Japanese camp. In defensive midfield, Wataru Endo (VfB Stuttgart) certainly has the usual spot for him. His first representative is Gaku Shibasaki (CD Leganés). Genki Haraguchi (Union Berlin) and Ao Tanaka (Fortuna Düsseldorf) will probably play in eighth position, although Daichi Kamada (Eintracht Frankfurt) and Hidemasa Morita (Santa Clara) can also hope to play minutes here.
attackers
As a centre-forward, 31-year-old Yuya Osako (Vissel Kobe) should have the best chance of a place in the starting eleven in Japan. Ayase Ueda (Kashima Antlers) will likely be traveling as a prankster. The star of the Japanese team is Takumi Minamino (Liverpool FC) on the left flank. His representative is Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic Glasgow), 27 years old.
Right winger Junya Ito (KRC Genk) will surely start from the start. Originally owned by Real Madrid but on loan from Los Blancos, 21-year-old prodigy Takefusa Kubo (RCD Mallorca) has to settle for a place on the bench. Takuma Asano (VfL Bochum), who can be used in a variety of ways in attack, should also be in Japan's squad for the 2022 World Cup.
The Japanese team at a glance: The most important information.
Jewels from Japan and seasoned players at the 2022 World Cup: the mix is right.
The Japanese have no problem recruiting young people. On the contrary: something is growing here that has the potential to draw attention to itself in a very positive way. Right winger Kubo, for example, is only 21 years old at the World Cup and is already known in many places as the "Japanese Messi". Perhaps the most talented player on the team, Tomiyasu is barely older. The right back turns 24 a few days before the start of the tournament. However, the talents of the century are in short supply.
In general, however, the combination is suitable for the Japanese: Kamada, as the attacking centerpiece, is 26 years old in the final. Left winger Minamino is 27 years old, central defender Itakura 25. He will have the opportunity to mature alongside the experienced Yoshida and take over as head of defense after the World Cup. The captain is 34 years old in Qatar, so there is much to suggest that this will be his last major tournament.
What are Japan's chances at the World Cup in Qatar?
Japan has a team that is not competitive on the big stage of the 2022 World Cup. This is the door. The staff is old and lacks international class. Things look better defensively: the central defense is solid. External defense is quite good. In midfield, the team has very good kickers in their own ranks. Otherwise, the level is not that high, but it's still solid. On offense, Japan is well endowed with Minamino. Storm Headquarters, on the other hand, goes down.
In general, therefore, we believe that the Japanese could certainly provide surprises. But to score points against Spain and Germany, you also need a lot of luck. So it will hardly be enough for the 2022 World Cup Round of 16 . There are too many problems in key positions (goalkeeper, defensive midfielder, center forward).
Thanks to players like Shinji Kagawa, Japanese football has gained much respect and admiration in Central Europe in recent years. The team is no longer seen as a cheeky outsider when competing in world championships. Coach Hajime Moriyasu wants to deepen this impression and write a success story with Japan at the 2022 World Cup .
After the draw, however, this seems to be an impossibility. Because Japan is in Group E of the 2022 World Cup with the selection of Germany , Spain and Costa Rica , the winner of the playoff. Since only the top two in the group will advance to the knockout stage, the Japanese team will likely finish after the preliminary round stage. However, here we want to take a look at the Japan World Cup 2022 squad, which wants to cause problems for the group favorites.
Japan World Cup 2022 matches.
Source images: FIFA.
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