Japan’s thoughts after the Bahrain match: “People often talk about Europe or domestic, but I think Maikuma’s performance showed that it doesn’t matter where you play but what you do” – Takefusa Kubo

Ritsu Doan / Freiburg

You were in a good spot for the first goal.

“It was a great shot (by Seiya Maikuma) and I was aware of the rebound. If I had stopped there, a goal like that wouldn’t have happened.”

Is your relationship with Takefusa Kubo and Maikuma getting better and better?

“I couldn’t make a difference in attack (by myself). Take (Kubo) looked like he wanted to go to the right, so I tried to stand in front of the goal. Kubo is the type of player who lives by touching the ball and I am the type of player who can get involved in front of the goal. Maikuma is the type of player who plays boldly and without hesitation. Defensively, when I help him up front, he plays his best.”

What do you need to do to win in the quarter-final (against Iran)?

“We’ve learnt a lot from the three group games and the team has improved. What we need is to continue this. If we can play the football we want to play, regardless of our opponents, we can win without a doubt. The substitutions coming in during games are so damn good, and I have a lot of confidence in them.”

Ayase Ueda / Feyenoord

You showed your strength in getting behind the diffence line.

“I knew from the first half that the opponents had gaps and that their formation was messy and not precise. We were able to exploit those gaps.”

You’ve scored for Japan at crucial moments, not only today but also in the past.

“It just happened. But I don’t rate myself that way. I don’t have the feeling that I’ve scored goals at important times for us. When you play as a forward, you can vaguely grasp the games and the timing when your career changes drastically depending on whether you score or not. Maybe Take (Kubo), Ritsu (Doan) and Keito (Nakamura) all got to where they are now because they scored in those matches. If you don’t keep getting results, you won’t be able to move on to the higher level. Of course, I always try to score in every game, no matter the environment, timing or anything else. If I can do that, I think my value will naturally increase.”

Takefusa Kubo / Real Sociedad

You kept pressing entirely hard.

“I thought it would be easier for the defenders if we pressed from the front and the opponents just kicked the ball hard for clearance. The coach always says that we win by passing the baton together, cooperation. I don’t think players with the idea of trying to keep their stamina till the end should be on the pitch.”

How do you feel about your relationship with Doan, and Maikuma?

“I think Maikuma is doing a good job. I’m a selfish person and so is Doan, and I think Maikuma is adjusting us well. I think he was the MVP of today’s game.”

You’ve seen a lot of full-backs, what is your impression of Maikuma?

“People often talk about Europe or domestic, but I think his performance showed that it’s not matter where you play but what you do that counts. The more you know about football, the more you know he is a good player. I think the competition for both full-back positions is fierce at the moment in the team.”

Wataru Endo / Liverpool

Is the full-back going inside as you wanted?

“We were not always told to do it, but we did it from the beginning of the team. Yuta (Nakayama) and Maikuma are doing the option of the full-backs going inside at the right moments. I play as a volante (defensive midfielder), so my flanks are inevitably open. They understand this and take up positions. I think we have become able to do this quite smoothly.”

How about your fatigue?

“I don’t know if I want to control it, as I just have to play through to the final. But I played regularly at Liverpool, so it’s a big advantage for me. It was another tough game today, but the intensity was different to what it was at Liverpool. I was able to play with a lot of energy left. Of course, it will get tougher from here on and I think we might be losing control, but we still can do more. Anyway, I’m going to give it all until the end.”

Kaoru Mitoma / Brighton and Hove Albion

You took to the pitch for the first time in this tournament.

“I’m expected to make time and make a difference when I have the ball. Against the next opponents, I don’t think we will have as much possession as today, but I need to be able to create my chances and do things on my own. I want to prepare well for that.”