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. Daichi Kamata talked about his ambition to advance to the best 8 for the first time. Q: Looking back on the match against Spain Kamata: It was a very difficult opponent, and we must at least draw and win or better to advance. And I think it was great that it led to the results. Q: It was a formation that is not usually used in the Japanese national team Kamata: It is this formation in Frankfurt, and the way of fighting is different, but I myself can play the defense part without stress, and what I have to do. I had a solid understanding of what to do, so it was easy to do, and I didn’t feel particularly stressed. Q: You spent a lot of time defending in the early stages of the Spain match. Kamata: We expected that they (Spain) would always attack, and we played with a clear mind, and the first half was 0-0, 0- Everyone played with the feeling that 1 was totally OK, so I think we were able to play according to our plan. Q: In the middle of the match, Japan’s defense started to function and the pinch decreased, but did you fix something? Kamata: They (Spain) scored one goal and there was no need to attack so far, so they played forward. It wasn’t too much, and we weren’t rushed to go to the press because we got one goal, so we were clear and they didn’t need to attack. So I think that it became a match with that kind of feeling for each other. Q: How has the Japanese team changed and grown after the 3 games? Kamata: I don’t know if they’ve grown, but I’m sure they’ve won a solid victory against a strong country on the big stage of this World Cup. This has never happened before, and I think we have proved to the world that we can do it against powerful countries, and in that respect, the evaluation from those around us is more important than our own. I think it’s changed a lot. Q: What is your impression of Croatia, your next opponent? Kamata: They have many world-famous players, and they are a team that won second place in the World Cup last time. I think it’s a team, but I think we have a lot of chances to win, so I hope we can play well as a team and get a good result. Q: What is the role that Kamata should play? Kamata: I think that the role of defense is increasing now, but personally I want results, and if I have a chance, it would be nice if I could leave a result. think. Q: Your determination for the next match Kamata: Even before the tournament started, we were in a difficult group with Germany, Spain, and Costa Rica, but we always thought we could advance to the finals, and we had a new history in Japan in the top 8. I think everyone thought from the bottom of their hearts that they could make it, and the chance to do so is right in front of them, so I hope we can play a good match and make a new history for Japan.
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