Japan can look proudly at its sporting victories in the past two decades and hope for more from the team nicknamed Samurai Blue
Maya Yoshida of Japan applauds fans after the 2-1 win and qualifying for the knockout stages during the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E match between Japan and Spain at Khalifa International Stadium on December 1 2022 in Doha, Qatar. Picture: GETTY IMAGES/CLIVE MASON
“I’m sick of hearing about being a ‘good loser,’” Yoshida, a former Premier League player with Southampton, told public broadcaster NHK. “I am honestly tired of hearing about Japan being a wonderful country for cleaning the locker room and being recognised for that. I’d rather be a winner than a good loser.”
But two goals within three minutes shortly after the second-half restart against Spain, it was Japan topping the group and 2014 champions Germany headed home. We shouldn’t be that surprised: this team is hardly a novice in its first tournament. Japan is also Asia’s strongest footballing nation, having qualified for every World Cup since 1998. That’s more than can be said for Italy, a four-time winner that has now missed two in a row.
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