Japan prepares a scenario to win against Spain

"We considered being 0-1," Mitoma told Japan's Mainichi site. "So, the whole team was fine after the first half. We were undeterred, well prepared to win the second half. I think the future of Japanese football depends on whether we win this match or not. , and the whole team made it."

Japan's reverse victory came from the reasonable personnel adjustments of coach Moriyasu after witnessing the students being forced to suffocate by Spain in the first half. He withdrew the aging winger Nagatomo, and the ineffective striker Kubo made room for the speed and power duo Kaoru Mitoma and Ritsu Doan early in the second half. Doan equalized in the 48th minute and three minutes later, Mitoma assisted Ao Tanaka to seal a 2-1 victory.

"We had no other choice after the first half. When he put me on the pitch, the coach just told me and the whole team to attack and put a lot of pressure," Ritsu Doan said after the game. "The first run in the World Cup has been magical, but we still haven't reached our goal of reaching the quarter-finals. So we'll have fun together today and soon focus on the game against Croatia."

Ao Tanaka, who scored the decisive goal, said the reverse victory came from Japan's confidence against a big opponent. "The score 0-0 in the first half was more ideal, but we conceded a goal was difficult to avoid under the pressure of Spain," the 24-year-old midfielder shared. "We always believed that Japan would come back, because we have collective strength. I always believed in myself. For a long time, I always imagined myself scoring in the World Cup."

For the first time in history, Japan defeated two former champions, the two forces of world football right in the group stage of a World Cup. Thanks to two victories over Germany and Spain, Japan qualified for the first time in two consecutive World Cups. In the 1/8 round, they will face the second team of Group F, Croatia.

"The historic match is ahead, because we have never gone beyond the round of 16," added Tanaka. "We don't seem to have achieved anything. The opponents in the knockout round are all very strong. Japan needs to continue to have faith and do what they can. I can enjoy the victory in the group stage, but If selected, I want to prepare for the match against Croatia."