Takumi Minamino heads to the World Cup with Japan!
It’s official ! A first Rouge et Blanc player is set to defend the colors of his country in the 2022 World Cup. As part of his post-World Cup 2018 role as an international, Takumi Minamino will have the privilege of playing for the first time in this most prestigious of international competitions. The Monegasque number 18 has been selected by the Samuraï Blue coach, Hajime Moriyasu, to represent Japan.
🔷#SAMURAIBLUE🔷
✍️メンバー発表✍️🏆国際親善試合
🗓️11/17(木)22:40KO
🆚カナダ🇨🇦🏆FIFA #ワールドカップ カタール2022
🗓️11/23(水)22:00KO
🆚ドイツ🇩🇪🗓️11/27(日)19:00KO
🆚コスタリカ🇨🇷🗓️12/2(金)4:00KO
🆚スペイン🇪🇸#つな超え #新しい景色を2022#jfa #daihyo #サッカー日本代表 pic.twitter.com/jvIz188We5— サッカー日本代表 🇯🇵 (@jfa_samuraiblue) November 1, 2022
A group of death
A part of a list of 26 players, the winger with 43 caps (17 goals) will head to Qatar on November 14, to try to help Japan progress from a very strong group. A starter this weekend in Ligue 1 against Angers (2-0 victory), “Taki” will have the unenviable task of facing Germany (November 23), Costa Rica (November 27) and Spain (December 1), to hope to reach the round of 16.
Do as well as four years ago
It will be a great challenge for him and his teammates, as Japan previously had a tough group in 2018 (Colombia, Senegal, Poland), finishing second and falling to Belgium, a team that would reach the semifinals, in the Round of 16. At 27, this a great honor for the attacking midfielder of AS Monaco, who joined the Principality side in July.
🔜 @takumina0116 will participate in the @FIFAWorldCup for Japan 🇯🇵
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐢! pic.twitter.com/rKCweTaT0u
— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) November 1, 2022
He will be accompanied for the occasion by two other Ligue 1 players, goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima (Strasbourg) and striker Junya Ito (Stade de Reims). As well as the former Marseille player Hiroki Sakai. Congratulations and good luck Taki!
Japan at the World Cup:
Wednesday November 23 – Matchday 1, Group E: Germany – Japan at 2 p.m.
Sunday November 27 – Matchday 2, Group E: Japan – Costa Rica at 11:00 a.m.
Thursday December 1st – Matchday 3, Group E: Japan – Spain at 8:00 p.m.
