Houston [US], June 29 (ANI): Ahead of Japan’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 conflict in opposition to Brazil, veteran Yuto Nagatomo stated he believes his nation has made higher strides over the previous 20 years and is steadily closing the hole on the five-time world champions.
Speaking to Japan’s news outlet Kyodo News, Nagatomo stated Japan’s fee of enchancment has outpaced Brazil’s in recent times.
The former Inter Milan fullback gave his views because the group departed their base camp close to Nashville, Tennessee, which he known as essentially the most comfy he has had in his 5 World Cups.
‘If we’re speaking about these previous 10, 20 years, I feel Japan have upped their stage greater than Brazil have,’ Nagatomo was quoted as saying by Kyodo News.
‘It’s not whether or not Brazil have upped theirs or not, I merely consider that our margin of enchancment is larger. I’ve felt we’re closing the hole on them,’ he added.
The skilled fullback additionally mirrored on Japan’s dramatic Round of 16 exit to Belgium on the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the place the Samurai Blue squandered a two-goal result in lose 3-2.
‘We simply relied on our momentum in opposition to Belgium,’ he stated. ‘Even after we have been 2-0 up, we stored going ahead and nobody was making an attempt to see the sport out. There wasn’t anybody talking out both.’
Nagatomo harassed that sport administration and composure are essential for groups hoping to make deep runs at main tournaments.
‘In that sense, you want smartness and tranquility and guile as nicely I suppose to go deep in tournaments. You must know the way you need the sport to play out, whether or not to complete it in 90 minutes or go to additional time and penalties. Having that uniform thought inside the group is extraordinarily vital,’ he stated.
Earlier, Nagatomo created historical past on Thursday (native time) by changing into the primary Asian participant to function in 5 FIFA World Cups throughout Japan’s Group F match in opposition to Sweden within the 2026 version at Dallas Stadium on June 25 (native time).
The 39-year-old has beforehand featured within the 2010 South Africa, 2014 Brazil, 2018 Russia, 2022 Qatar, and 2026 Canada-Mexico-United States tournaments, making him one of the crucial enduring figures in worldwide soccer. With this look, Nagatomo additionally grew to become solely the tenth participant in soccer historical past to function in 5 or extra World Cup editions.
The elite listing contains Lionel Messi (6 editions), Cristiano Ronaldo (6 editions), Luka Modric, Luis Suarez, Manuel Neuer, Lothar Matthaus, Andres Guardado, Rafael Marquez, Antonio Carbajal, and now Yuto Nagatomo, who’ve performed 5 editions, respectively.
Meanwhile, Brazil’s first-place end in Group C prolonged their exceptional file of topping their World Cup group for a twelfth consecutive match. The five-time champions have completed first of their group at each World Cup since 1982, sustaining a unprecedented 44-year streak of group-stage dominance. (ANI)