USMNT’s expectations for Japan after insufficient losses in South Korea | United States

High goals for next summer

Even the most blinking Korean fans won’t deny it Japan Provide the United States with the strongest test that Asia must provide. Samurai Blue may not have a player like Christian Pulisic, who regularly plays in elite clubs, but the roster is full of high-level talents and is the first country outside the host to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Liverpool’s Wataru Endo told fans that when the 2026 tickets are stamped, it’s time to start thinking about lifting the trophy. The same is true for Prime Minister League player Daichi Kamada. “That’s what we’ve all been saying,” said the Crystal Palace star. “Our goal is to win the World Cup.”

This is a bold statement for teams that have never won the knockout round at the World Cup (South Korea remains the only Asian country to do so). But then, in 2022, Japan lost to Croatia with punishment only after defeating Spain and Germany in the group stage. Japan relaxed its two-goal lead against Belgium four years ago.

The technical excellence of the ball that has not defined these teams, the athletics, organization and hard work still exists, but some things have changed. Except for the champions Endo and Kamada in the first two games of England last season, Kaoru Mitoma is the same as Spain’s Takefusa Kubo. Coach Hajime Moriyasu can and has chosen a completely European squad.

Decades ago, the Japanese Football Association talked about winning the World Cup by 2050. So Tuesday’s goal is victory.

Looking forward to the rotation lineup

Japan beat the strongest team in a 0-0 lead against Mexico on Saturday. Given the short transition between matches, the long journey from European players to Oakland, it was the fact that Moriyasu expressed the intention to give him as many players as possible, which could be a change for Columbus. Wire, Ento, Coobo and other regular starters may start the bench on Tuesday.

Japan has a poor record on teams against the Americas, and painting with El Tri in California is not a bad result. Still, the four-time Asian champion suppressed the World Cup co-host, under pressure from the start to learn how to put these tight matches on the bed.

A first-choice shooter will help. “I want the real forward to show up and then we want to make the most of that player,” Moriasu said this summer.

He was always looking for it. Japan submitted it early, and the coach essentially brought the roster of the second string to the last two AFC qualifiers in June. The first one was in Australia, when the hosts young men did not seize the opportunity, and they ended up losing to the last-minute sucker.

Someone like Ayase Ueda scored well against the Asian opposition, but Feyenoord’s forwards and others have to show that they can compete against top teams in other leagues. This is a misfortune in Japan. Qualified without entering the highest gear (53 points and 3 acknowledgements in 16 games), so it’s hard to find when the pressure is really encountered.

The coach who wants to define his legacy

Many AFC countries have turned to foreign managers, especially when big tournaments are approaching. The reputation of Asian coaches outside the Asian continent does not exist, and they are not that good inside. Well, Moriyasu is an outlier.

When he took the job in 2018, few people thought he would still be there in seven years. Criticized by some who are too conservative to win the best team, the soft boss has built Samurai Blue in a powerful force. There is a club-like atmosphere, a clear way of playing and sometimes experimenting with the coaches – on Tuesday there may be some new names and a change from the usual three-man defense.

After a solid match in Katar, the 2026 World Cup will be his biggest test, which is the disappointing Asian Cup in 2023 and the encouraging results and performances.

As Japan’s level improves, players go to Europe to work with elite tacticians, and people worry that coaching standards for going home are not keeping pace. This is a little unfair because at present, it is almost unimaginable that a coach like Moriasu has the opportunity to work in Europe.

So the best thing that Asian coaches can do is to succeed globally and beat their more outstanding peers. The United States and Mauricio Pochettino certainly comply with the bill.