We must fight like the samurai, says Japan star

JAPAN have already won two battles at this World Cup. Unexpected comeback wins against Germany and Spain saw them top the group of death, but a bigger fight lies ahead.

To do what they have never done before and reach the quarter-finals, they must embody the spirit of medieval warriors. That was the message of veteran star Yuto Nagatomo (below) at yesterday’s press conference. Nagatomo is playing in his fourth consecutive World Cup and was part of the team beaten by Belgium in the last 16 in Russia four years ago. The defender used the analogy of the samurai to explain how they plan to go one step further and make history.

‘In Japan, the samurai is very famous. We would like to fight like samurai,’ Nagatomo, 36, said.

‘Before they polish their weapons, they try to improve their techniques. If they are scared during the battle they will not be able to use their weapons and their techniques fully. It’s exactly the same with football. Of course there are tactics and there is technique which are important. ‘But no matter how much we have improved those, if we are scared when we are facing the game, those things are useless. In order to maximise all the tactics that we have been discussing and practicing in the last four years, we need to have courage.’

Japan’s wins over Germany and Spain were almost identical in that they were trailing 1-0 at half-time before scoring two quick goals in the second half through their intense pressing. In the game against Spain they had just 17.7 per cent possession, but it did not matter. They had more spirit, more passion. ‘Before the first game with Germany, there’s a word in Italian — corragio, which means courage,’ Nagatomo said. ‘So I shook hands with each one of the players and we both shouted “corragio!” together. I think all the players are manifesting this courageous play.’ But with their group stage battles over, the war of the knockouts has only just begun for the courageous samurai in blue.

WATCHING BRIEF...

JAPAN v CROATIA

Kick-off: 3pm, Al Janoub Stadium. TV: LIVE on BBC One from 2.30pm. Referee: Ismail Elfath (USA).