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The “Agony of Doha” got here 29 years in the past, and Hajime Moriyasu skilled it first-hand as a midfielder on Japan’s nationwide soccer staff.
He’s now the coach, and he’s made amends.
Japan received its World Cup group on Thursday after beating 2010 champion Spain 2-1 on the Khalifa International Stadium. Last week, the staff defeated 2014 champion Germany by the identical rating on the identical venue.
As time was winding down in opposition to Spain, Moriyasu was serious about that sport in Qatar in opposition to Iraq in 1993 that price the staff a spot within the subsequent 12 months’s match.
“About one minute before the end,” Moriyasu stated after the win over Spain, “I remembered the tragedy in Doha.”
Leading 2-1 within the staff’s closing qualifier and figuring out one objective for the opposition would spell the top, Japan conceded in stoppage time. Their World Cup hopes had been dashed, and so was Moriyasu’s possibilities of enjoying on the greatest soccer match on the planet.
This time it was completely different. This time the protection held it collectively. This time the 54-year-old Moriyasu bought his Hollywood ending by successful Group E.
“I could feel that the times have changed,” Moriyasu stated, praising his staff’s aggressive defending. “They are playing a new kind of soccer, that’s how I felt.”
Japan’s resistance on the sector was typified by 34-year-old captain Maya Yoshida. The veteran central defender reacted quickest when a unfastened ball within the ninetieth minute bounced within the goalmouth, up in entrance of a gaping empty internet, after goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda blocked a shot by Jordi Alba.
Yoshida twisted his physique to beat Marco Asensio to the ball and clear the hazard. When Spain ahead Dani Olmo took management seconds later, Gonda blocked his shot with a smothering dive.
On the offensive aspect, Japan scored within the forty eighth and 51st minutes. Against Germany, the objectives got here within the seventy fifth and 83rd.
“In 10 minutes we were dismantled,” Spain coach Luis Enrique stated.
Up subsequent is Croatia, a staff that reached the ultimate 4 years in the past in Russia. Another victory on Monday would put Japan within the World Cup quarterfinals for the primary time.
“We,” the coach stated, “are gifting this win to the people of Japan.”
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