hey may have just fallen short of making their first ever quarter-final, but Japan’s performance at the 2022 World Cup was one of the biggest stories of Qatar, topping a group containing two of the three previous world champions in Spain and Germany, beating both of them in the process – a feat made all the more impressive by the fact that both opponents had Champions League-winning managers in the dugout.
But perhaps Japan’s success in the winter tournament shouldn’t have been a surprise. They made the semi-finals at the Tokyo Olympics just 18 months earlier, beating France 4-0 en route and only losing after extra-time to a strong Spain side once they got there.
Furthermore, a number of Japanese players are putting in star performances across the top leagues. Daichi Kamada was crucial to Eintracht Frankfurt’s Europa League triumph in 2022 and is enjoying another superb season in the Bundesliga this term; Kaoru Mitoma has quickly establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s most exciting players following his move to Brighton; and Takefusa Kubo is already a pretty experienced La Liga forward at the age of 21, with his performances for Real Sociedad this season helping propel them to third, giving the Basque club real hope of qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in ten years.
These, of course, are just a few examples of what some have described as the country’s golden generation. But why did it take so long for the world’s third-largest economy to produce such a brilliant crop of players? What is the secret to their success in 2023? And what does the future hold? On today’s EFD Explained, we’re going to find out.
How Japan Produces So Much Talent!
Euro Football Daily – Feb 06
hey may have just fallen short of making their first ever quarter-final, but Japan’s performance at the 2022 World Cup was one of the biggest stories of Qatar, topping a group containing two of the three previous world champions in Spain and Germany, beating both of them in the process – a feat made all the more impressive by the fact that both opponents had Champions League-winning managers in the dugout.
Japan’s ‘King Kazu’ joins Portuguese side at 55
sportsbrief.com – Feb 01
Japanese football star Kazuyoshi Miura extended his decades-long playing career on Wednesday less than a month before his 56th birthday, joining Portuguese second-division outfit Oliveirense on loan.
Ozeki Takakeisho wins 3rd sumo title
NHK – Jan 22
Ozeki Takakeisho won his third title on the final day of the New Year Grand Sumo tournament in Tokyo on Sunday. It was his first title since November 2020.
Tennis star Osaka Naomi announces pregnancy
NHK – Jan 13
Former world number one tennis player Osaka Naomi has announced she is expecting her first child, just days after she pulled out of this month’s Australian Open.
New Year Grand Sumo tournament opens in Tokyo
NHK – Jan 08
The New Year Grand Sumo tournament opened in Tokyo on Sunday. This tournament has only one yokozuna, the highest rank, and a single ozeki, the second highest, on the ranking list.
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