Some players like to watch videos of wingers and strikers as they hype themselves up for the next game. The team coach is often full of young men with eyes locked on highlight compilations featuring the likes of Ronaldinho, Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
For Japan, however, the playlist is slightly different. The Japanese defence has only been breached once at the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup™, as the team takes everything they have learned from videos of the world’s greatest defenders and recreate it out on the pitch.
“We watch videos of people coming in with slide tackles, saving, making those last-minute game-saving tackles… and we take that to heart”, explained Japanese goalkeeper Shuji Muramatsu.
These videos may well be what inspired the Japanese side as they stifled Portugal’s attack to secure a 2-1 victory and top spot in Group B. With 12 goals from their first two group games, the Portuguese forward line represented a significant threat, but Nozomi Hiroyama’s side were consistently in the right place at the right time to deny their opponents and protect their goal.
“Our goal as a backline is always the clean sheet,” said central defender Anthony Motosuna.
“That is anybody’s goal, we are no different. But we have that Japanese hard-working mentality in our backline. We put our hearts on the line for this team. That just contributes to our back three and to our team as a whole.”
Japan played proactively from the kick-off, pressing high up the pitch and cutting off space for their European opponents. This aggressive approach paid dividends as the Japanese press forced goalkeeper Romario Cunha into a hurried pass, which eventually led to Takeshi Wada’s opener.
Their second arrived in similar fashion. This time it was full-back Daniel Banjaqui who was pressured into making a sloppy clearance. Three quick passes later, the ball was at the feet of Taiga Seguchi, who finished cleanly from the edge of the box.
“In the first half, we struggled with our build-up. Japan were incredibly aggressive, and responded quickly when we lost the ball,” observed Portuguese head coach Bino Macaes.
However, it was in the second half when Japan’s warrior spirit truly came to the fore. Portugal brought on dangerman Anisio Cabral and, with Kaiji Chonan seeing red in the 71st minute, it was all hands to the pump for Japan as they looked to protect their lead.
Portugal were able to use their numerical advantage to claw a goal back through Zeega, but their attempts to equalise were frustrated by a dogged Japanese defence. Speaking after the match, Macaes highlighted the defensive endeavour of the victors.
“They operate as a unit. When it came time to defend, they all defended together. Beyond just their quality, they’re highly organised and well-drilled, which is a credit to their coach. That was the difference today,” he concluded.
The proof of Japan’s hard work came in their defensive play. Blocks, interceptions, and crucial last-gasp tackles – just like in the videos that Muramatsu and his team-mates had been watching on the coach.
We can’t guarantee a lot of things. We can’t guarantee the clean sheet, but one thing we can guarantee is we will work our butt off,” said the Japanese goalkeeper. “Our coaching staff instils a hard-working mentality in us, and that is part of us as the Japanese culture. I mean, I’m speechless right now.”
