According to Nikkei Sports, in the league matches held across Europe this weekend, several Japanese national team players have stood out, preparing themselves for the Asian qualifiers of the 2026 World Cup.
Kaoru Mitoma has returned to the national team after seven months and performed notably in the match against Arsenal. In the Bundesliga, Takehiro Tomiyasu, a key defender for Borussia Mönchengladbach, started in the match against Bochum and helped his team keep a clean sheet, securing a victory. These players will be joining the Japan national team training camp one after another.
The attack line of the Japanese national team is fully charged, hoping not to repeat the history of losing at home to Oman in September 2021, which cast a shadow over their qualification journey. Head coach Hajime Moriyasu emphasized, “We must go into the game with determination, united as a team, and well-prepared.” The players are all working hard to prepare for a smooth start.
In the first two league games, Kaoru Mitoma had performances involving goals or assists. In the match against Arsenal, he continued to actively attack, breaking through the left flank of the opponent multiple times, creating many scoring opportunities. Although they were unable to achieve a comeback, Brighton equalized in the 13th minute of the second half when they had a numerical advantage. After the game, Mitoma said, “Although we didn’t win, maintaining an unbeaten record is a positive aspect, and we will carry this positive mindset into the next game.” This 27-year-old attacking player, who has been away from the national team for seven months due to injury, also mentioned that “avoiding re-injury” is his goal going forward.
In addition to Mitoma, other attackers also shone. In the Eredivisie, Koki Ogawa, the forward for NEC Nijmegen, started and scored his first goal of the season in the 35th minute of the first half, helping his team take the lead. He received a high ball from a teammate’s cross on the right and volleyed it into the bottom right corner of the goal with his right foot, demonstrating his excellent form.
Takumi Minamino, currently playing for Mallorca, started his fourth consecutive game against Leganes and threatened the opponent’s goal with a spectacular overhead kick. Furthermore, Yuki Soma, an attacking right-back who just joined Brentford, scored his first goal in the Premier League in his third game. With a high-speed run, he received a return pass from a teammate and cleverly slotted the ball into the goal with his left foot.
Since the international matches in September coincide with the beginning of the new season for European players, adjusting their form will be a major challenge for them. Nevertheless, every player has shown excellent form in pursuit of the goal of qualifying for the World Cup for the eighth consecutive time. The attack line of the Japanese team is ready.