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DOHA, Dec 3 (Reuters) – Japan have already scripted the most effective tales of the World Cup with comeback victories over former champions Germany and Spain however Takuma Asano says they haven’t achieved something but.
Winger Asano scored an excellent winner within the Germany win that kickstarted Japan’s marketing campaign however that was adopted by a shock reverse by the hands of Costa Rica of their second group recreation.
One other upset towards Spain, nevertheless, despatched Japan into the final 16 as group winners and arrange a date with 2018 shedding finalists Croatia at Al Janoub Stadium on Monday.
“Although we did not win all of them, I feel crucial factor is that we made it via the group stage,” Asano informed reporters on the staff coaching camp on Saturday.
“Now I began feeling it is changing into an excellent World Cup. However we have not achieved something but, so truthfully talking, I feel every part begins from now.”
Attacking midfielder Daichi Kamada began all three group video games and believes progressing regardless of having been drawn in a so-called “Group of Loss of life” had given the gamers confidence they will tackle and beat Europe’s greatest.
“We managed to win the video games in a really troublesome group and got here this far,” he stated. “We superior to the following spherical because the group prime and Croatia superior because the second. In fact, they’ve many good gamers, and they’re staff.
“However our staff can also be nice, so I feel now we have an enormous probability to win. I hope we will battle as one and obtain consequence.”
Monday shall be Japan’s fourth final 16 conflict on the World Cup finals however they’ve by no means but been previous the opening spherical of the knockout stage.
Asano stated enhancing that file was not the complete extent of their ambitions.
“I feel it could be nice if we may make a breakthrough to the final eight which now we have by no means achieved earlier than,” he added.
“Nevertheless it’s simply merely one in every of our objectives. We are going to placed on our greatest efficiency to win the following recreation.”
Writing by Nick Mulvenney, Enhancing by Angus MacSwan
Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
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