World Cup redemption for Japan coach 29 years later in Qatar

The “Agony of Doha” got here 29 years in the past, and Hajime Moriyasu skilled it first-hand as a midfielder on Japan’s nationwide soccer crew.

He’s now the coach, and he’s made amends.

Japan gained its World Cup group on Thursday after beating 2010 champion Spain 2-1 on the Khalifa International Stadium. Last week, the crew defeated 2014 champion Germany by the identical rating on the similar venue.

As time was winding down in opposition to Spain, Moriyasu was enthusiastic about that recreation in Qatar in opposition to Iraq in 1993 that price the crew a spot within the subsequent yr’s match.

“About one minute before the end,” Moriyasu mentioned after the win over Spain, “I remembered the tragedy in Doha.”

Leading 2-1 within the crew’s closing qualifier and realizing one objective for the opposition would spell the top, Japan conceded in stoppage time. Their World Cup hopes have been dashed, and so was Moriyasu’s possibilities of taking part in on the greatest soccer match on the earth.

This time it was totally different. This time the protection held it collectively. This time the 54-year-old Moriyasu received his Hollywood ending by profitable Group E.

“I could feel that the times have changed,” Moriyasu mentioned, praising his crew’s aggressive defending. “They are playing a new kind of soccer, that’s how I felt.”

Japan’s resistance on the sector was typified by 34-year-old captain Maya Yoshida. The veteran central defender reacted quickest when a free ball within the ninetieth minute bounced within the goalmouth, up in entrance of a gaping empty web, after goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda blocked a shot by Jordi Alba.

Yoshida twisted his physique to beat Marco Asensio to the ball and clear the hazard. When Spain ahead Dani Olmo took management seconds later, Gonda blocked his shot with a smothering dive.

On the offensive aspect, Japan scored within the forty eighth and 51st minutes. Against Germany, the targets got here within the seventy fifth and 83rd.

“In 10 minutes we were dismantled,” Spain coach Luis Enrique mentioned.

Up subsequent is Croatia, a crew that reached the ultimate 4 years in the past in Russia. Another victory on Monday would put Japan within the World Cup quarterfinals for the primary time.

“We,” the coach mentioned, “are gifting this win to the people of Japan.”

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