At the FIFA World Cup 2022, the Japan national team lost to Croatia after a penalty shootout, finishing the tournament in the last 16. Japan representative Takumi Minamino answered the interview. Q: How do you feel after the World Cup? Minamino: It’s very frustrating. Q: Did you volunteer for PK? Minamino: Yes. yes. Q: How did you feel when you volunteered to take the first kick? Minamino: I was confident in my penalty shootouts, so it was very important to decide whether or not to score first in a penalty shootout like that. , I thought I understood that, so I kicked it with the feeling of making a decision and creating a flow for the team, but I’m very sorry, frustrated, and very frustrated that I couldn’t do it. Q: Looking back on the tournament as a whole Minamino: As a team, we were able to win against Germany and Spain in the group stage, which gives us a lot of confidence. It’s frustrating, but I feel like I have to make sure that it’s connected to the next one. Q: What do you think should be built up for the next four years? Minamino: One is the ability to compete on an equal footing with the powerhouses to advance the match, ball possession, soccer is not just about that, but it’s about creating chances. In order to increase the number of productions and things like that, I think that we have to raise the level both individually and as a team. Q: What kind of presence do you want to have in the team at the next tournament? If I were to go to the World Cup, I would be in that position, and I think it would be nice if I could become someone who can lead the team in various ways, just like the veteran player showed me this time. Q: What would you say to the soccer boys who are chasing after Minamino Minamino: When I was a kid, there weren’t many people from my hometown who became professional soccer players. I’ve also heard that there are more and more kids who want to support their hometown Cerezo (Osaka) and aim to become soccer players, and I think that’s a great thing, so in that sense, I’m a good player who can grow even more in that sense. I hope that there will be more children watching my back and playing soccer. Q: Thoughts for 4 years later Minamino: First of all, I don’t think I’ll ever forget this frustration. I think so.
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