From “Players Who Stand Out” to the “Second Coach”… The Reason Behind “Moriyasu Japan’s” “Full Steam Ahead” World Cup Run

Three Key Players

“Before the match against Tunisia, there was a player on the pitch silently practicing his shots. It was Ayase Ueda (27). From the exact same spot where he scored the team’s second goal—a mid-range shot from just outside the right side of the penalty area—he was scoring goal after goal with remarkable consistency. He looked to be in top form.”

Sports writer Yusuke Mimura, who covered Japan’s second Group Stage match against Tunisia in North and Central America, reflected on the star player’s hard work behind the scenes of the convincing victory.

There’s probably no need to mention at this point that Japan won the match 4-0. The whole country was buzzing with excitement over the Samurai Blue’s triumph, with Keisuke Honda (40)—who served as a commentator for the Nippon TV network—repeating “Ike Ike Dondon” in a fit of excitement, a phrase that took social media by storm.

While Moriyasu’s Japan is considered the strongest team in history, behind their ever-improving performance lies the presence of “three key players.”

The first key player is the star striker Ueda, mentioned at the beginning. He scored two goals against Tunisia and was named Man of the Match, and Mr. Mimura is in awe of his striking power.

“It’s often said among media professionals that ‘Ueda’s shots sound different.’ At the moment of contact, there’s a dull ‘thud.’ That’s proof he’s delivering powerful shots.
I heard that Ueda had been trying out a new shot during closed-door training sessions, and when I asked him about it after the Tunisia match, he said, ‘The feel has been much better.’ He didn’t tell me specifically what kind of shooting practice he’d been doing… but it might have been that mid-range shot.”

“Lack of finishing ability”—a long-standing trauma for soccer fans. We likely won’t hear that phrase during this tournament.

The reason for their impressive run isn’t just improved scoring ability. They’re supporting the defense as a “filter” in midfield while also contributing to the attack. The assist for Ueda’s second goal came from Kaishu Sano (25), who has played the full 90 minutes in two consecutive matches.He’s living up to his reputation as a “stamina monster”—this season, he ranked third in total distance covered and second in duels won in the German first division—but Sano’s approach is surprisingly unconventional.

“I don’t do weight training. My motto is to ‘utilize my full range of motion to draw out 100% of my muscles’ inherent power,’ so I don’t build unnecessary muscle.I just do stretches and exercises for the iliopsoas—the core muscle connecting the lower and upper body—and the shoulder blades, which connect the arms to the shoulders. This helps improve my flexibility and minimizes unnecessary energy expenditure. Even during this tournament, you often see him holed up in the training room, endlessly doing these simple stretches,” said a Japan Football Association official.

The Locker Room Motto

The final piece supporting this surge is “mental toughness.” Playing a key role in this is Yuto Nagatomo (39), the oldest player on the Japanese national team at this tournament.When he was selected, a debate arose over whether Nagatomo was even needed, and in fact, he had played zero minutes through the second match. However, off the field, he has become an indispensable presence in instilling a “winner’s mentality” in the team. Sports journalist Mikiko Ryokai reveals:

“Three days before the match against Tunisia, Nagatomo took the lead in organizing a players-only meeting. He pointed out that in the four previous tournaments he had participated in, the team had never won their second match, and he fired up the players.

That was only the second players-only meeting of the tournament, but holding multiple such meetings during a single tournament was a first. He likely sensed a lapse in concentration following their strong performance against the Netherlands, as well as confusion caused by Kubo Takefusa’s (25) injury, and wanted to steady the team.”

Mr. Mimura described him as having “a presence that’s just like ‘Coach Nagatomo.’”

“After hearing this pep talk from the veteran, the players reportedly repeated the phrase ‘Let’s stay focused and play with a sense of urgency’ in the locker room before the Tunisia match, as if it were a rallying cry. His approach to guiding the players based on his own real-life experience makes him truly a second coach.

After the match, when I remarked, ‘You’re practically “Coach Nagatomo,” aren’t you?’, he responded modestly: ‘I just spoke my mind. Maybe I’ve matured a bit.’ Even though he must have wanted to play himself, he prioritized the team and devoted himself entirely to supporting them. I believe Nagatomo’s dedication is undoubtedly behind this resounding victory.”

With growth on both offense and defense, coupled with mental resilience, Moriyasu’s Japan has become a complete team. The “full steam ahead” momentum won’t stop until they break through the “Quarterfinals” barrier and stand atop the world.

From the July 10, 2026 issue of *FRIDAY*