Japan’s football players opened door to new era

Japan’s outstanding performance at the 2022 World Cup must have given big dreams to children who want to become football players in the country. – AFP

ALTHOUGH Japan failed to achieve its long-cherished dream of advancing to the World Cup quarter-finals, a solid mark has been left on Japanese football history through the efforts of the Hajime Moriyasu-coached national team, which vanquished major powers of the football world.

Japan lost to Croatia in a penalty shoot-out in the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar.