What the USMNT should expect from Japan after a subpar loss to South Korea | USA

High objectives for next summer

Even the most flashy South Korean fan would only deny Japan presents in the United States the strongest test that Asia has to offer. The Samurai Blue may not have a player like Christian Pulisic who played regularly in elite clubs, but the list is full of talents playing at a high level, and was the first country other than the hosts to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Wataru Endo from Liverpool told fans when the 2026 ticket had been stamped that it was time to start thinking of lifting the trophy. Prime Minister’s comrade, Diche Kamada, said the same thing. “This is what we all continue to say,” said the star of Crystal Palace. “Our goal is to win the World Cup.”

For a team that has never won a direct elimination match during a World Cup (South Korea remains the only Asian nation to have it), this is a bold statement. But then, in 2022, Japan lost to Croatia in penalties after beating Spain and Germany in the group phase. Against Belgium four years earlier, Japan has left two goals ahead was let slide.

Technical excellence, movement, organization and hard work without the ball that defined these teams is still there, but some things have changed. In addition to Endo and Kamada, winners of the first two competitions from England last season, Kaoru Mitoma is a first league star, just like Takefusa Kubo in Spain. Coach Hajime Moriyasu can and has selected a list entirely based in Europe.

A few decades ago, the FA of Japan spoke of winning the World Cup by 2050. If nothing else, next year would be the right time to move securely in this direction. As such, Tuesday’s goal is victory.

Expect a tour

Japan almost aligned its strongest team as possible in its 0-0 draw with Mexico on Saturday. Given the short delay between the games, the long trip of European players to Oakland for the first match, and the fact that Moriyasu’s declared intention to give his players as many minutes as possible, there will probably be changes to Columbus. Mitoma, Endo, Kubo and other regular starters could start on the bench on Tuesday.

Japan has a fairly poor record against the Americas teams, and drawing with El Sort in California is not a bad result. However, the quadruple Asian champion, who pressed high and put the co-host of the World Cup under pressure from the start must learn to put these kinds of tight matches in bed.

An essential scorer would help. “I want a real striker to emerge, then we want to get the most out of this player,” said Moriyasu this summer.

He looked for. Japan therefore qualified Japan that the coach essentially took a list of second strings to the last two AFC qualifications in June. The first was in Australia and while the young people of the host, they did not hold their luck either and ended up losing against a last -minute boost.

The tastes of Ayase Ueda have marked well against Asian opposition, but striker Feyenoord, and others, must show that they can do it against the best teams of other confederations. It is the misfortune of Japan. The qualification was carried out without ever having to get started in Top Gear (53 marked and 3 conceded in 16 games), which makes the discovery of pressure more difficult.

A coach seeking to define his inheritance

Many AFC countries turn to foreign managers, especially when major tournaments are approaching. The reputation of Asian coaching outside the continent is nonexistent and is not great either inside either. Moriyasu is therefore an aberrant value.

Few thought that when he took the post in 2018 that he would still be there seven years later. Critical by some to be too conservative and not to make the most of the team, the Boss with a soft voice, however, built the blue of samurai in a formidable force. There is an atmosphere similar to a club, a clear way of playing and a coach who can sometimes experiment – on Tuesday, there could be new names and a change compared to the usual defense of three men.

The 2026 World Cup will be its biggest test, after a solid tournament in Qatar, a disappointing Asian cup of 2023 and encouraging results and performance since.

While the level of Japan is improving and the players go to Europe to work with elite tactics, it is to be feared that training standards will not follow the pace. It is a bit unfair because, for the moment, it is almost unthinkable that a coach like Moriyasu has the opportunity to go to work in Europe.

So the best thing that an Asian coach can do is to succeed at a global level and beat their more illustrious counterparts. The United States and Mauricio Pochettino certainly correspond to the bill.