Japan Raise The Standards, Encrypting Their Game Plan And Tactics Into Numbers

The absence of key players of the Japanese side was not a barrier to their dream start of the tournament. Team captain, Wataru Endō, Takumi Minamino and Kauro Mitoma, are among the big names who miss the tournament for Japan as a result of injuries.

Admist what seemed to have been a setback, Hajime Moriyasu, head coach for the Samurai Blues, has deployed a new way to scale through the world finals, by the use of numbers on his tactics and game plan.

Japanese reputation for detailed preparation and tactical discipline was clear in the team’s quick in transition, change of wings and fast tempo against the Netherlands.

Twice the Dutch men had led, goals by Virgil Van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville, but on each lead, goals from Keito Nakamura and the last minutes goal of Daichi Kamada, cancelled the leads to bring both sides levelled at the final whistle.

A draw against the Netherlands suggests the Samurai Blue are not to be written off, and can compete with Europe’s strongest sides. The chances of advancing is quite high, as they face would Sweden and Tunisia to complete the group.

Japan could be said to be one of the underdogs to watch out for in the tournament, as their first performance in the tournament, makes them one of the most dangerous non-European and non-South American teams at the tournament.