DALLAS. Extremely many Japanese journalists. Among them also many former Japanese national team players. One of them does not think that Sweden will be an easy match for Japan – especially not if Anthony Elanga plays.
– I think the Japanese three-back line finds it extremely difficult against him, says Atsuto Uchida, 38, to Sportbladet.
It’s happy and cheerful at the Japanese training in Dallas, the day before the meeting against Sweden.
There is laughter and lots of smiles in the Dallas Heat as the players warm up.
There are also very, very many journalists on site.
Japanese journalists. Including signed.
There is an absolutely huge press corps that follows the open quarter that the team offers. As well as being in the mixed zone after training to try and talk to the players.
In the enormous press corps, there are also former national team players.
One of the more meritorious that Sportbladet sees is Atsuto Uchida, 38.
Now TV expert on DAZN, but previously regular left back in the national team and Bundesliga team Schalke 04.
“Not that big of a difference really”
– What is usually talked about in Japan when it comes to Sweden is that the forward pair, Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak, are really good. Sharp in depth, good on the counter. It is absolutely the biggest threat to Japan, says Uchida when asked about Sweden.
Which image of Sweden is most accurate would you say? The one we saw in the 5-1 win against Tunisia or the 1-5 loss against the Netherlands?
– In the Netherlands match, they conceded most of the goals at the beginning and the plan went completely wrong. I didn’t really think there was such a big difference in quality in the teams as 4-5 goals. Sweden is a much better team than that. I think they can put on a match at the same level as Japan. But Japan has the Tunisian victory (4–0) most recently. Sweden has the Netherlands match. The wind it gives can make a difference.
Japan trains the day before the meeting with Sweden. Photo: Pontus Orre
They can rest against Sweden
Trying to figure out how Japan will start doesn’t work in the quarter of practice we get to see. Nor on what national team captain Hajime Moriyasu said at the press conference later during a packed “MD-1” (as the day before the match is referred to in official sports media parlance).
It has also been reported that it will be rotated with a view to sixteenths.
– They will go to win. But the coach may well think rotation. Especially those who played two full matches. Defensive midfielder Kaishu Sano, for example. There he can choose to rest. But those who come in also have a very high level. So it won’t affect the team’s level, says Uchida.
Warns of Elanga
When he gets the follow-up question if there is anyone besides the constantly mentioned Gyökeres and Isak to watch out for, a third is mentioned.
He who scored Sweden’s last World Cup goal.
– What’s his name again.. He’s super fast. Anthony Elanga! That acceleration… I think the Japanese back three will have extreme problems with it. They might be able to keep up with Isak and Gyökeres in the deep. But when Elanga comes in on a second wave from another surface. When players start to get tired at the end of a match. There, Japan must have scouted extremely carefully.
“Never won a knockout match”
Regardless of how it goes against Sweden, most indications are that Japan will play in the round of 16 – even if the result largely determines where they play and who they get to face.
How far do you think Japan can go?
– The goal is gold, they say. But the realistic thing is that you get Morocco, Brazil or France in the round of 16. All tough opposition. And Japan has never won a knockout match. So they still need to show that they can really deliver when it comes to over a match. If they get there and one more step, I’d say they’ve done it with a clear pass.
