Japan Executives Gathered Group: “Now I Really Understand What the World Cup Means”
By OnzeActu · · 2 min read
Keisuke Goto, the young Freiburg striker, discusses the impact of Japan's experienced players ahead of his first World Cup. After Wataru Endo withdrew due to injury, new captain Ko Itakura and veterans like Yuto Nagatomo brought the group together to share their vision for the tournament.
Keisuke Goto, the Japanese striker from Fribourg, admits that he now can't wait for the World Cup to start “for real” for him. The young striker, who is preparing for his first World Cup, says he has learned a lot from his more experienced teammates ahead of the opening match against the Netherlands.
In preparation for the match against the Dutch team, the Japanese managers called the entire group together. “I already knew it was a special tournament, but now I really understand what it means,” Goto told Japanese media when reflecting on the meeting. He has followed the national team since the 2010 World Cup and already dreamed of one day wearing the Samurai Blue jersey; However, the experience and testimonies of elders gave him another perspective.
After captain Wataru Endo had to leave the camp due to injury, new leader Ko Itakura took it upon himself to reunite the group. Veterans such as Maya Yoshida and Yuto Nagatomo — who is aiming for his fifth World Cup — also weighed in to share their feelings.
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“I felt the passion they have for this tournament,” Goto continued. “But I also feel that I am not giving up anything to them. I feel it. I can't wait to show it off. »
Nagatomo's words particularly struck the young attacker. According to Goto, the former defender mentioned a similarity between the current situation and that of Japan at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. At the time, the Japanese, led by players like Nagatomo, Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa, were aiming for victory but were ultimately eliminated in the group stage, with a record of one point after three matches.
“We had also beaten some great teams in preparation and we were considered one of the best teams in the world. It was distracting and we ended up with this result,” Goto explained, summing up his senior’s message. “But Yuto said this time it will be different. As young players we must believe in them and follow in their footsteps. We want to closely observe how elders behave and use our youth to make a difference. »