Hajime Moriyasu praised the perseverance of his Japan gamers after they surprised a second World Cup-winning nation in nearly equivalent circumstances within the area of little greater than per week to safe passage to the last-16.
The Samurai Blue endured intense strain from Spain within the first half and went 1-0 down into the break.
But, simply as they did in opposition to Germany, two quickfire objectives after the interval gave them one other well-known victory.
“Spain are one of the best teams in the world and we knew before the game that this was going to be very difficult, and indeed it was,” he stated.
“But the players persisted and they persevered and they turned the tide of the game. Everybody was excited that we were able to play as one again.
“There were many fans who came all the way from Japan, as well as those that stayed at home. We are gifting this win to the people of Japan, and we are very happy about it.”
Moriyasu got here below fireplace for his timid ways when Japan have been crushed by Costa Rica of their second match to apparently hand over the benefit of the upset of Germany.
Despite producing a carbon copy of his tactical adjustments in opposition to the Germans, together with a transfer to a again three and bringing on Ritsu Doan to rating the equaliser, Moriyasu shared the credit score together with his gamers.
“During training, we confirmed a few things and the players gave me some ideas,” he added. “We decided that we were going to defend and try to counter attack … it was a choice of all of us collectively.”
The Samurai Blue completed high of Group E and can play 2018 runners up Croatia within the subsequent spherical, wanting to attain the quarter-finals for the primary time in six visits to the World Cup finals.
With Germany beating Costa Rica 4-2 close to the top of the opposite Group E match, a late equaliser for Spain would have despatched Japan out of the event.
For Moriyasu, that triggered reminiscences of what the Japanese name the “Tragedy of Doha”, a late equaliser from Iraq within the qualifiers for the 1994 World Cup that disadvantaged a Japan workforce together with the now coach of a primary journey to the finals.
“With a minute to go, I was thinking about the ‘Tragedy of Doha’ but exactly at that time, the players came aggressively to challenge for the ball,” Moriyasu stated.
“I could feel that the times have changed. These players are playing in a new age of Japanese football.”
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