[News Station]”What is Japanese style?” Commentary by Atsuto Uchida, who showed the world the power of Japan (December 6, 2022)

At the FIFA World Cup 2022, the Japan national team lost to Croatia after a penalty shootout, finishing the tournament in the last 16. Former Japan national team player Atsuto Uchida & Announcer Moe Ando will broadcast from Qatar. Former Japan national team player Atsuto Uchida (Q. How did you feel about the penalty shootout?) In Europe, many tournaments are decided by penalty shootouts, so if you have a year to prepare, the coach asks you to practice 1,000 penalty shootouts. There are about as many. I feel that such preparation will lead to results. (Q. What do you think of the results of this tournament?) Before the World Cup started, I thought that Japan’s true position would be known. It has been 30 years since the J-League was established, and I have experienced many things. Against that backdrop, we were able to win against Germany and Spain, and I think it was a great achievement. However, I heard the voices of the players saying, “Is this the Japanese style?”, “What kind of football do we want to play?” . I thought that the Japanese style would be decided through trial and error. ◆Announcer Moe Ando (Q. How did you feel about the World Cup?) Since I was in charge of sports, I have covered the Tokyo Olympics, the Beijing Olympics and other world competitions with restrictions. I was surprised that so many people could connect with each other in a sporting event with no restrictions. There was a soccer mood everywhere in the city, and by the time I got here on the 6th, many people had told me, “Yesterday Japan did its best,” “It was a good match,” and “We beat Spain and Germany.” I felt that so many people can be connected through soccer. Former Japan national team player Atsuto Uchida (Q> How was your first World Cup as an interviewer?) When you were a player, it was just 11 players against 11 players on the same ground width, just soccer, but the influence of those around you. There was so much power and reaction. However, I was allowed to watch every game like a soccer kid, and it was a lot of fun. (Q. What do you think Japan should overcome in the future?) When I heard the players’ voices, they said, “I have one.” Croatia has scored even with few chances. In addition, Croatia played almost all of their best squads in the three qualifying matches, and while Japan should have been in better condition, Croatia played a tough match. It’s frustrating, but some journalists said, “It’s only natural for Croatia to advance to the top eight.” (Q. What is the lesson of this tournament?) The World Cup is a difficult tournament with many countries and players participating, but the day after we lost, we started playing soccer at our own club. Is your daily life the best in the world? Within that, I think the key will be whether each of us can grow for the next four years. (Q. If there is a style that Japan is aiming for, what do you think it is?) I think this is really through trial and error. It may be the Japanese style of defending solidly in order to win. In the future, as we fight against strong countries in friendly matches, etc., the style will be decided, but as a characteristic of the Japanese, “organizational power” and “speed” are very conspicuous points in this tournament. . I think it will depend on what kind of manager will be appointed and how the Japan Football Association will proceed while establishing our own style. (Q.Some people say that Japan’s goal is not to be in the top 8, but to win the championship. What do you think about this?) I think everyone has their own way of thinking. There are players who work backwards to think about winning, and there are players who clear their goals one by one. I am not saying which one is better, but one of the goals of the Japan Football Association is for Japan to win the World Cup by 2050. Of course, it’s okay to win the next tournament, so as a player who is doing it, I want you to aim for the top. I also want to see Japanese people lift the World Cup trophy someday. I don’t know when that will be, but I hope.
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