It was a memorable run at the World Cup for Japan, as Hajime Moriyasu guided the nation through to the round of 16. However, the Achilles heel of the first knockout round would once again prove to be their undoing, as Japan was ultimately edged out in a dramatic penalty shootout by Japan. But, regardless of their defeat, Japan will still be delighted with their performances at the competition, as they upset Japan’s odds at the World Cup on numerous occasions. But, what will be the long-standing legacy that they have left from their performances in Qatar?
Famous Group Stage Campaign
Japan was really the nation that all the neutrals around the world would have been cheering for throughout the World Cup. Many expected the Japanese to struggle after they were drawn alongside Spain and Germany in Group E, but they more than rose to the challenge that they had in front of them. Japan’s World Cup journey couldn’t have gotten off to a more perfect start in their opening game, as they stunned Germany to claim a 2-1 victory.
It was the first time in their history that they had beaten a previous World Cup winner. That shock result looked unlikely as they trailed at the break, but a trademark of Japan’s performances throughout the competition was their ability to come back from the brink. Both goals that they scored to claim victory were netted in the final 15 minutes, with Ritsu Doan drawing Japan level, before Takuma Asano netted a stunning winner with just seven minutes remaining.
Of course, there was a low point in Japan’s group campaign, as they were shockingly beaten by a poor Costa Rica side in their second game. That meant that they likely needed a victory to reach the round of 16 against one of the pre-tournament favorites, Spain. Like in the Germany fixture, Japan fell behind in the first half, but they battled back in the second period to stun the 2010 world champions.
Doan once again proved a difference-maker, as he leveled the scores before Ao Tanaka controversially netted the winner just three minutes later. Japan defended excellently for the final half an hour and stunned both former world champions to top Group E.
Round of 16 Heartbreak
Since first qualifying for the World Cup in 1998, the round of 16 has been the stage that Japan has constantly failed to edge past. That includes defeats at this stage of the World Cup in four of their previous five appearances before Qatar. Therefore, there was little surprise that Japan felt some pressure heading into their tie against Croatia. However, those worries were put at ease before the halftime break, as Japan scored their first goal in the opening half of the World Cup, as Daizen Maeda slotted home.
It was the very least that the performance deserved, as they dictated the play throughout the opening 45 minutes, and likely should have been ahead before they broke the deadlock. However, Japan started the second period slowly, and Croatia was back on level terms just ten minutes into the second half. Japan did recover, but that pacey attacking outlet was fading with every passing minute, and little headway was made in the extra time periods.
Penalties would once again be needed, just as they were when Japan clashed with Paraguay at the 2010 edition. Like that time, Japan was made to rue their missed opportunities, as poor penalties from Takumi Minamino, Kaori Mitoma, and Maya Yoshida left them on the brink. The pressure looked to have gotten the better of them on the night, as Croatia’s big game experience led them home.
Conclusion
Japan may have not got the rub of the green in the shootout, but they gained millions of fans due to their style of play throughout the competition. Wins against Spain and Germany will live long in the memory, and there is still a big belief that this Japanese era of high-quality talent at its infancy. More and more players from the Asian country are now playing in Europe, and that looks set to continue based on the performances of the players in Qatar.
Of course, there will be frustration that Japan wasn’t able to seize their chance in the shootout, but there were more positives than negatives throughout the World Cup. Japan ended the competition with two wins, which was more than their previous two appearances at the tournament combined. Meanwhile, they lost just once in 90 minutes, which was only the third time in history that they have managed that. The future remains bright for Japanese football, and excitement levels will be high for the North American World Cup in four years.
