‘A historic moment’: Japanese World Cup hopes surge ahead of crucial Costa Rica match | World Cup 2022

After Japan’s stunning victory over Germany of their opening match of the Qatar World Cup, followers of the Samurai Blue are daring to dream their crew might attain the quarter-finals for the primary time.

Their outstanding comeback final week has electrified Japan, the place hardcore and informal followers alike stayed up till midnight to look at their victory over the four-time world champions.

“We’re only one sport in, however Japan are already exceeding expectations,” mentioned Dan Orlowitz, a sports activities reporter with the Japan Occasions. “I’d have been very happy with a draw in opposition to Germany, however to truly get the win is phenomenal.”

Japan’s travelling followers have already endeared themselves to their hosts, not least for cleansing up after themselves following the Germany match – a ritual that stretches again many years. That goodwill extends to the crew, who left stadium workers presents of origami paper cranes of their spotless dressing room.

Japan’s gamers, who’re up in opposition to Costa Rica on Sunday, say they’re spearheading an Asian challenge to soccer royalty from Europe and South America – a mission whose accomplishments embrace Saudi Arabia’s shock win over Argentina.

“It actually appears like this might grow to be an ideal match for Asian nations,” mentioned Jeremy Walker, editor of Sporting Asia, the Olympic Council of Asia’s official journal. “The wins for Saudi Arabia and Japan had been an enormous step ahead for Asian soccer, particularly within the Center East,” mentioned Walker, who has reported on Japan at three World Cups and is now primarily based in Kuwait.

“The locals right here had been cheering for Japan, too, so there’s a robust feeling of delight that Asian groups have overwhelmed two superpowers in Argentina and Germany. Qatar and Iran had been disappointing of their first matches, however Saudi Arabia and Japan have modified the environment. However can an Asian crew attain the semi-finals, like South Korea in 2002? That’s going to be very powerful.”

Orlowitz agrees the tide has turned for Asian groups after Qatar and Iran misplaced their opening matches. “I feel there was a whole lot of concern amongst Asian soccer watchers early on with Qatar and Iran, however since then Asia has had a really respectable exhibiting. The problem will probably be entering into the quarter-finals. It might be too early to begin fascinated by that, however there’s room for hope.”

Japan’s coach, Hajime Moriyasu, might cement his newfound standing as nationwide hero if he achieves his aim of taking Japan to the final eight for the primary time since their World Cup debut at France 1998, and 4 years after they got here agonisingly shut in Russia.

“I consider it’s a historic second, a historic victory,” he mentioned after the Germany sport. “If I take into consideration the event of Japanese soccer, pondering of the gamers, for them this was an enormous shock.”

Whereas Moriyasu revelled in his gamers’ heroics, followers again dwelling had been awaiting the subsequent look by Taiyo, an eight-year-old river otter at an aquarium in Tokyo, which predicted Japan would beat Germany the day earlier than the match.

In the event that they repeat the feat in opposition to Costa Rica, they might make the knockout phases regardless of the results of their remaining group match in opposition to Spain. However because the crew’s followers anticipated a second raucous night time of celebration this weekend, the gamers had been attempting – with little success – to minimize their prospects.

“We haven’t modified historical past but, however I feel it was a historic match, so I celebrated with my teammates,” mentioned Ritsu Doan, who scored Japan’s first aim in opposition to Germany. “However from right now, I’ve modified my mindset and am making ready for the Costa Rica sport. It’s vital to not get big-headed.”