Simply wait, thought Ritsu Doan. Simply wait.
The Japan midfielder, who performs for German workforce Freiburg, needed to grit his tooth when he heard individuals saying his workforce can be a straightforward opponent for Germany on the World Cup.
“I listened to their talks with a faux smile on my face and in my coronary heart,” the 24-year-old Doan stated Thursday after sparking a exceptional comeback and arguably the most important lead to Japan’s World Cup historical past the night time earlier than.
After getting into within the 71st minute, Doan solely wanted 4 minutes to cancel Ilkay Gündogan’s first-half penalty with the equalizer, then he watched as fellow substitute Takuma Asano bagged the winner within the 83rd for Japan’s 2-1 win.
“I believed it was the good factor I might do as a person to close them up by successful, so I’m glad I gained and so might do this,” Doan stated.
皆さん熱い声援ありがとうございました!一喜一憂することなく次準備していきます。共に新しい景色を見ましょう!@JFA @FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/i2AR6trzng
— Ritsu Doan/堂安 律 (@doan_ritsu) November 23, 2022
The shock win over the four-time champion set off wild celebrations from the sizeable contingent of Japanese followers on the Khalifa Worldwide Stadium and prompted outpourings of pleasure from followers watching the objectives on massive screens at house.
“I feel that the entire of Japan was very excited,” Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated. “I used to be in a position to watch the sport on TV and it was an incredible victory.”
Kishida paid tribute to the “workforce energy, particular person energy and the path of the coach.”
Japan ahead Daizen Maeda stated it was “the happiest second I’ve ever had in my soccer profession.”
Whereas Japan celebrated what coach Hajime Moriyasu known as a “a historic second, a historic victory” instantly after the sport, the previous midfielder struck a extra cautious notice the following day as he tried to refocus the facet for the following match towards Costa Rica on Sunday.
“I hold saying that we shouldn’t be too joyful or unhappy concerning the outcomes,” the coach stated Thursday. “The end result towards Germany is already previously, so we are going to do our greatest to arrange ourselves to win the following match. We’ll do what we have now at all times been doing and be prepared for the following sport.”
Costa Rica’s marketing campaign on the World Cup began with a 7-0 thrashing from Spain.
Japan can theoretically even ebook its place within the second spherical with a win on Sunday, relying on a favor from Spain towards Germany.
Japan is enjoying in its seventh straight World Cup and Moriyasu beforehand stated the workforce’s purpose is to achieve the quarterfinals for the primary time.
Even Doan has toned down his pleasure as he appears ahead to the challenges forward.
“We haven’t modified historical past but, however I feel it was a historic match, so I celebrated with all my teammates yesterday,” Doan stated. “However from at present, I actually modified my thoughts and am getting ready for the Costa Rica sport, so I can be cautious to not be big-headed.”
Japan defender Yuto Nagatomo acquired a flood of calls and emails from family and friends after the sport.
“So I actually really feel that this was a historic victory,” Nagatomo stated. “I can be joyful if this may assist brighten up soccer once more and enhance the recognition of the game. We have now solely gained one sport, so I wish to give attention to the following sport.”
No matter occurs for the remainder of the match, Nagatomo stated the win over Germany was “probably the greatest experiences in my soccer profession.”