At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Japan were drawn with Germany and Spain and beat both of them. That made them the giant killers of modern football, and nobody should be surprised if they try it again. The Samurai Blue are full of players who compete week in, week out in Europe. Takefusa Kubo is tormenting defenders at Real Sociedad, Kaoru Mitoma is doing the same to Premier League full-backs at Brighton, and the team plays a system that can beat anyone on its day.
Hajime Moriyasu is the manager, Wataru Endo completes the core with Kubo and Mitoma, and Japan sit around 15th in the FIFA ranking.
How did Japan become this good?
Largely by exporting players. More than 20 of the squad play in top European leagues, and it shows in their tactical awareness. Kubo is a creative player with a magical left foot who can dribble past a whole defence. Mitoma's pace and dribbling make him one of the most dangerous wingers in the Premier League. Moriyasu's high-pressing, possession-based system has grown into one of the most effective in international football.
The results back it up. Beating Germany and Spain at a World Cup was proof that they can topple elite teams in tournament play.
Japan are no longer a surprise package, because everyone now knows how dangerous they are. They have the quality, the system and the mentality for the quarter-finals or further. One weakness remains: finishing big chances. If they become more clinical, they could shock people again.
Tomorrow: number 24.
