Japan ahead Daichi Kamada says his aspect’s giant contingent of Bundesliga gamers can draw psychological power from understanding they “share the identical stage” as first-up World Cup opponents Germany. Japan’s squad for the finals in Qatar consists of eight Germany-based gamers, greater than another nationwide league – together with Japan’s first-division J1 League. 9 Japanese gamers play within the first division of the Bundesliga, seven of which have been chosen within the squad for Qatar. Qatar-bound midfielder Ao Tanaka additionally performs in Germany, for Fortuna Duesseldorf within the second division.
Kamada, 26, who has 12 objectives in all competitions for Frankfurt this season, can be one in every of Japan’s most essential gamers in Qatar.
“There are a number of Japanese gamers within the Bundesliga now and I feel we’re on an equal footing with them (the German nationwide staff) now,” Kamada instructed AFP.
“Once I first arrived within the Bundesliga from Japan, I used to be enjoying in opposition to gamers from Bayern and the Germany nationwide staff. However once I was enjoying in Japan, there have been just one or two gamers from the Japan nationwide staff over there.
“It was unusual to be enjoying in opposition to gamers I had solely watched earlier than, however… I feel it has a giant impact on us mentally to be sharing the identical stage as them.”
Qatar-bound Freiburg winger Ritsu Doan stated Japan’s sizeable European-based contingent – 21 of 26 gamers – confirmed sufficient depth to hassle not solely Germany, however fellow group heavyweight Spain.
“There usually are not solely gamers enjoying in Germany, but in addition within the 5 main leagues at a excessive degree, and effectively, I feel we will compete with the 26 gamers (in our squad)” Doan instructed AFP.
“I feel it’s constructive that every one the gamers are competing not solely within the Bundesliga however usually at a excessive degree.”
‘We will compete’
The excessive illustration of Japanese gamers in Germany is greater than only a statistical quirk.
Germany has an extended historical past of scouting and recruiting Japanese gamers, relationship again to 1977, when Yasuhiko Okudera made his debut for Cologne, turning into the primary Japanese footballer to play professionally in Europe.
Okudera instructed AFP so much had modified since his decade-long stint with Cologne, Hertha Berlin and Werder Bremen, specifically that Japanese gamers had confirmed their skill to compete on the highest degree.
“In these days, it was so much stricter… it was exhausting to get in,” Okudera stated.
“Now (the Bundesliga) has develop into a spot the place we will compete on the identical pitch as gamers from Africa, South/Central America and the remainder of the world.”
Maybe the very best profile Japanese participant lately, former Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa, was recruited to Jurgen Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund immediately from Japan, earlier than a high-profile transfer to the Premier League two years later.
‘A bonus’
Japan and Germany play one another in Group E’s first fixture on November 23, however whether or not enjoying week in and week out in opposition to a lot of their opponents could be a bonus stays to be seen.
Okudera stated Japan’s familiarity with Germany and the Bundesliga would “be a bonus”, however may favour Germany.
“On the one hand, it is going to be a bonus, and then again, the opposite aspect is aware of us (higher).”
Japan captain Maya Yoshida, who joined Schalke in the summertime, instructed AFP: “I am undecided if it would or not (be a bonus).”
“I feel it’s good that we perceive German, like for set performs and so forth.
“It’s positively a plus to have the expertise of enjoying with such gamers and understanding their traits – but it surely’s the identical for the opponent”
Yoshida, who made the transfer from Serie A’s Sampdoria to Schalke in the summertime, joked that his transfer to the Bundesliga could have been made with the World Cup in thoughts.
“That is the rationale why I play right here,” Yoshida stated.
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