According to Yahoo Sports, the Japanese national team will face the Chinese team on September 5th in their first match of the Asian Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. On the 4th, the Japanese team conducted their final pre-match training session at Saitama Stadium, opening the first 15 minutes of the training to the media.
After the training, midfielder Kubo Takefusa gave an interview, stating, “It is crucial to secure three points in this match. We should not be overly nervous, especially the forwards, scoring the first goal quickly is very important for us.”
Kubo Takefusa also mentioned that in the past two qualifiers, the Japanese team started with losses, so he reminded his teammates, “The overall level of Asian football is constantly improving, so we must not take tomorrow’s game lightly.”
In this match, Kubo Takefusa will once again partner with midfielders Junya Ito and Kaoru Mitoma. Kubo Takefusa said, “How to use the players depends on the coach’s arrangements, but both Junya and Kaoru are very capable players who can break through the opponent’s defense with their individual skills. When I play centrally, effectively utilizing their characteristics is important. I don’t need to always actively participate in attacks; sometimes playing a supporting role can maximize their abilities.”
Regarding the two teammates returning to the national team, Kubo Takefusa said, “Although they return for different reasons, I hope to provide support for their comeback in this match.”