The Japanese national team aims to advance to the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup 2022. The next opponent is Croatia, the runner-up of last year’s tournament. Gaku Shibasaki talked about his aspirations for the first time to advance to the best 8. Q: What is the atmosphere of the team during the off season? Shibazaki: Each player was able to refresh themselves during the off season, and from today onwards, I think that we were able to practice in a relaxed mood, and there was no strange tension, and the atmosphere was very relaxed. I thought today that it was a practice with just the right amount of tension. Q: The atmosphere of the team is different from the previous tournament. Shibasaki: I feel like it hasn’t changed in a good way. After all, winning the next match is the biggest goal for us, and we had to go through the group league to get there. I don’t have it, and I think it’s becoming an air that it’s about to happen. Q: What is your impression of Croatia? Shibasaki: I think they are a very well-balanced team. They don’t have a solid style like Spain, but they show their strength in defense, and I have the impression that they have a lot of offense by repeatedly changing positions while valuing both offense and improvisation. Therefore, I think it will be more important than ever for the players to talk to each other during the game to build up their defense and find offensive players. Q: In order to keep down midfield players such as Modric, Shibasaki: The three midfield players who often appear are world-class players, and I think that will be the key to the match. I think it will be important for the Japanese team to be strong and not lose in the offense and defense in the midfield so that they can take the initiative. Q: Enthusiasm for the best 8 Shibasaki: We have been working since the start of Moriyasu Japan to win this match, both as an individual and as a team, and I feel that it has finally come. I believe that the history of Japanese football will change greatly depending on whether we win or lose this match, so I really want to do my best. Q: Do you have any intention of going back to pick up something you left behind in the previous World Cup match? Instead of going to get revenge or go get something left behind, I want to create a new history for the Japanese national team by going to grab it.
[テレ朝ｎｅｗｓ] https://news.tv-asahi.co.jp
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