Interview with Yukinari Sugawara, Japan National Soccer Team Member: “There is a ine line between confidence and pride”
Yuto Nagatomo, a promising sideback for Moriyasu Japan who went to the Netherlands as a teenager
“I have only a sense of urgency. I wanted to move to another league this summer, but it didn’t come together. There were times when it was difficult to stay motivated. However, I also have a national team to play for, so I can’t just throw it all away. So I’m trying to change my mindset like that, saying, ‘Maybe there is a future where I’m glad I didn’t transfer this time.’”
He has started five of the six games for the second Hajime Moriyasu Japan since the World Cup in Qatar, and in the 4-1 win over the powerful Germans in September he showed his ability to link up well with right midfielder Junya Ito (30) and score two goals with pinpoint crosses. He is expected to play in Japan’s October series (October 13 vs. Canada, October 17 vs. Tunisia) as well as the North and Central American World Cup ’26 qualifiers, which start next month. The team is expected to qualify for the World Cup in North and Central America, which will begin in September.
“I think the fact that we were able to play good soccer against Germany and win proves that Japan’s level has improved. One of the reasons for this is that the overseas players, who are the main members of the team, are competing at a high level every day.”
With veterans Yuto Nagatomo (37) and Hiroki Sakai (33) out of the squad, Sugawara’s presence in Moriyasu Japan is growing.
