▶▶▶ Find out more about DAZN ◀◀◀
Before the big match to break through to the group stage, a burning gaze falls on a man.
In the last two games, Kaoru Mitoma has definitely made the difference on the pitch. When he came on as a substitute in the match against Germany, he played in the first WB for the Japanese national team. He dribbled long distances from low positions, attracted opponents and deftly distributed passes. If you show your presence in attack, such as the play leading up to the first goal, there are scenes where you cut off the opponent’s attack while narrowing them down in defence. It was a surprise move on the big stage, but it showed his experience at the Union Saint-Giroise.
The match against Costa Rica did not lead to a result, but they made many chances with sharp tricks. Looking back on these two games, the opponents are clearly wary of a man who is active in the Premier League, such as vertically cutting to prevent the opponent from breaking through the dribble, and if there is time, the two will stop it You can see the situation. In that sense, the current Mitoma has become a presence that even opponents fear.
However, the opponent this time is Spain, who are said to be the strongest in the group. It’s a game to be won, so more achievements are required, but he’s not the kind of opponent that will give you freedom so easily.
“We won against Germany, but we lost against Costa Rica, and I think he’s the perfect opponent to measure where we are now. I’m looking forward to playing a serious match against a great opponent and I want to raise the level of football Japanese winning here”.
In particular, there is a high possibility that Daniel Garvajal and Cesar Azpilicueta will enter the right-back who will face Mitoma. A tough battle awaits both of them, as they warn that they are ‘a rare player even in the world’.
“I think he is a high quality player in all respects. I have an image of him and I think I have to make plays that can lead to goals in these places.”
As the team’s plan is to keep clean sheets for a long time, the team is expected to go into the game with a defensive mindset. If so, Mitoma will have to play an active role as a super submarine as before. There is a place where it is called “Tactical / Mitama”, but this time it should be the same location. That’s why I’m trying to challenge the game with strong accountability.
“As expected, there will be situations where there is no support around us or we have no choice but to take the ball on the counterattack. I think that’s what I need. I think that’s what I’ve been missing so far in the game, and I can’t let him go in any situation. I want to play thinking about the team’s ball.”
We still haven’t been able to show the real Kaoru Mitoma on stage at the World Cup. Can you show your looks in this situation where you need to break through the group stage? I look forward to the moment when Japan’s greatest weapon will shine.
Wen Lin Liaoping
Born in 1987 from Saitama Prefecture. After the Great East Japan Earthquake, I decided to go to London to study English because I wanted to do what I wanted to do if I could regret it later. Watching the 2012 London Olympics there made me fall in love with the depth of the sport. After returning to Japan, he became a freelancer. After working as a reporter for the football newspaper “Ergorasso”, he is currently reporting on the field in various media outlets.
