In this group match, the Blue Samurai broke through from the Group of Death with two wins and one loss, turning back two former world champions, Germany and Spain, respectively. There was luck, but luck is also a reflection of strength in competitive sports. Prior to the World Cup, coach Sam Po shouted out a slogan: the goal was to finish in the top 8. I'm sure many laughed at this, believing that Japan would go home after the group stage, but how many slapped it in the face of reality. Today, facing their first opponent in the knockout rounds, the previous runners-up Croatia, we also have reason to believe that Japan can fulfill their pre-tournament mission deployment and finish in the top 8 of the World Cup. Let's not forget that Japan's women's soccer team won the Women's World Cup back in 2011.
Once upon a time, when our neighboring country Japan was still a desert, many might not have imagined that Japan would be the face of Asian soccer for decades to come.In the 1990s, we and Japan proposed to follow the path of professional soccer. Japan started in 1993. Since 1994, we have had almost no time difference. Why are we taking the opposite path today?
Youth training is paramount. Kids are exposed to implementing different concepts of soccer from an early age. School soccer and professional leagues complement each other. While our kids are still dealing with exams, Japanese students may have already received offers from clubs and Keisuke Honda has already stepped out of the high school league. The second is the atmosphere. Attendance in high school leagues or college leagues is comparable to that of the top European giants, broadcast simultaneously by TV stations in prime time. The young soccer player carries so many memories of post-80s childhood soccer. When the Milan Derby in the cartoon actually came into reality, it was so dazzling.On November 24, 2014, representing AC Milan competed with Inter Milan represented by Tomo Nagatomo and completed the Milan Derby in the Apennine Peninsula. Focusing on the introduction of talents, the famous Brazilian Zico and the famous French coach Troussier have also brought essential changes to Japanese soccer. Technological mobility is their representative, deeply rooted.
While the world of soccer is developing rapidly, Japan has only come so far by sticking to the right path while catering to the development. Not long ago, the JFA proposed that they participate in the Europa League. When I heard this news, my heart couldn't help but be shocked by the JFA's decision. The significance of an Asian team was not important to them. In addition, the decision was finally announced after domestic players went back and forth on national team match days. In addition, the Japan Football Association has its own office in Dusseldorf, Germany. This series of measures will undoubtedly put Japanese soccer firmly on the path to becoming a soccer powerhouse.
