Japan defender Yuto Nagatomo has said that they would like to fight like samurais in their crucial clash against Croatia in the round of 16 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Japan topped Group E, defeating Spain and Germany, to qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament.

New Delhi,UPDATED: Dec 4, 2022 20:14 IST

Nagatomo wants to create history by reaching the quarter-finals (AP)

By India Today Web Desk: Japan defender Yuto Nagatomo has said that they would like to fight like samurais in their crucial clash against Croatia in the round of 16 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Japan topped Group E, defeating Spain and Germany, to qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament.

Speaking ahead of their clash against Croatia, Nagatomo said the Japan team would like to use the samurai spirit in their match against Croatia.

“I am the one, of course, who mentions samurais very often. In Japan the samurai is very famous. So we would like to fight like samurais. I think this is a great opportunity to show ourselves how we can fight as a samurai. So please keep rooting for us,” said Nagatomo.

The former Inter Milan defender said Japan played well in the group-stages and are very confident going into the round of 16.

“We have played against Germany, Costa Rica and Spain, and we went through from the group stage as the number one team. We are very confident now. We believe in ourselves, we can do it,” Nagatomo added.

He added that they will do everything to go past the last-16 hurdle, having failed to do so earlier.

“Until now, Japan football was not able to go past the round of 16. I myself have been at four World Cups, and I have been to the last 16 two times, but we could not overcome it. I was very upset at those times, but tomorrow we hope to be very good again. We hope to make history tomorrow by winning,” said Nagatomo.

Hajime Moriyasu’s side has sprung two of this World Cup’s biggest surprises to date, coming from behind to beat Germany and Spain 2-1. Now they will look to go one better and become the first Japan squad to reach the quarter-finals at a World Cup.

Edited By:

Rounaq Sehrawat

Published On:

Dec 4, 2022

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