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Japan Seen by Opponents
- Opponent View2026-07-24
'Japan looked inward for the answer': how Korea's press read the Oiwa succession
The Korean sports daily Sports Chosun called Japan's coaching decision 'a first in the country's history' and dubbed the incoming manager, Go Oiwa, 'the master who destroyed Korea.' While Japanese fans fixed on the oddity of Hajime Moriyasu's six-month deal, the paper in Japan's Asian-Cup rival was looking at a different point: why did Japan hand its future to a coach raised inside its own youth setup rather than a well-known foreigner?
Opponent ViewJapanCoaching changeAsian Cup 2027 - Opponent View2026-07-12
Brazil had six days to fix what Japan exposed. The list was still there when Norway sent them home.
The morning after Brazil beat Japan 2-1, the Brazilian outlet Terra ran a piece headlined "the mistakes Ancelotti has to fix before the last 16." It listed five: the hole between midfield and the back line, an inability to play out under pressure, the full-back plan that failed against Japan's five-man defence, a replacement for the injured Paqueta, and two players a booking away from suspension. The article noted the coach had six days until Sunday. Six days later Brazil lost 2-1 to Norway and went home.
Opponent ViewBrazilJapanAncelotti
The Captain, Wataru Endo
From an overlooked boy in Yokohama to the captain whose presence still binds Japan together.
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From Doha to North America
A map-led journey through Japan's World Cup history, from Doha to the 2026 horizon.
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Takefusa Kubo, Toward 2026
From Kawasaki to La Masia, Japan, La Real, and the road toward North America.
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