Samurai Blue begin final prepping for opening match
16:56 JST, November 22, 2022
DOHA — The Japan national team practiced behind closed doors on Monday as it begins final preparations for its opening World Cup Group E match against four-time champion Germany on Wednesday.
Midfielder Hidemasa Morita, who has been recovering from a left calf injury, participated in a full session the first time since joining the team from Europe, where he plays for Sporting Lisbon.
Japan, which is aiming to advance to the knockout stage for the second consecutive tournament, will face Costa Rica in its second match on Sunday before concluding group play against Spain on Dec. 1.
Wednesday’s match against Germany kicks off at 4 p.m. (10 p.m. Japan time).
"Sports" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Japanese Paralympic Archer Chika Shigesada Withdraws from Paris Games in Wake of Defamation of Other Athlete
-
Kishida Meets with Japan’s Paris Olympics Medalists
-
Japan’s Kagami Wins Historic Gold in Women’s 76-kg Wrestling at Paris Olympics
-
Yuka Suzuki Finishes 6th in Women’s Marathon at Paris Olympics; Akira Akasaki also 6th in Men’s Marathon
-
Japan’s National Olympic Team Disbands at Ceremony; Members Praise Audience, Fellow Athletes
JN ACCESS RANKING
- Nankai Trough Megaquake Tsunami could Hit in 2 Minutes; Japan Authorities Urge Caution after Recent Earthquake
- Typhoon Shanshan Forms, Slowly Moves Toward Japan; Govt Says Typhoon No. 10 Likely to Approach Japan Next Week
- Typhoon Ampil Approaching Japan
- Shizuoka Pref. City Offers Foreigners Free Japanese Language Classes; Aims to Raise Non-Natives to Daily Conversation Level
- Tokyo Companies Prepare for Ashfall From Mt. Fuji Eruption; Disposal Of Ash, Possibly at Sea, A Major Challenge