In his latest column for The Sporting News, former J.League star Jay Bothroyd reacts to Japan's stunning World Cup win over Germany, which set the Samurai Blue on the way in Group E.
First of all, I can't quite express how happy I am that Japan won against one of the best teams in the world! In fact, words don't even describe how happy I am right now!
I think Japan started the game really well, even though Germany had the vast majority of the possession early on. It was starting to look like it always does against top teams for Japan — a great start, create very good chances but then wasteful in front of goal.
When Germany scored, I was very disappointed, because Japan were playing really well and looked dangerous. The goalkeeper didn't need to make such a clumsy challenge for the German penalty, and I feared the worst at that point.
I knew that the coach, Hajime Moriyasu, would have to have a big team-talk to inspire the players, and boy did he!
LIVE SCORES: Football, basketball, baseball scores and more with the Yuugado Live Sport app
I think Moriyasu deserves a huge amount of credit with his substitutions — he was very decisive, and his timing for all of them was perfect. Takehiro Tomiyasu came on at halftime for the golden boy of Japanese football, Takefusa Kubo, and he changed the shape. The second half was like chalk and cheese — so much better.
Japan played with real confidence. They kept the ball and showed patience around the penalty area. All the players that came on went on with the right attitude and energy you would expect of a Japanese player.
Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma and Takuma Asano were the major differences, who ultimately earned Japan the win.
To be honest, I was very disappointed Mitoma, Minamino and Asano didn't start the game, because even though Daizen Maeda works tirelessly, he doesn't quite have the same quality and intelligence on the ball.
I don't ever want to see Mitoma on the bench! He's probably Japan's best attacking player right now! He's got skill, speed, technique, and is very intelligent on the ball. He very rarely makes the wrong decision and his end product is good the majority of the time
Overall, Japan played a great game and even though they were wasteful after getting in such good positions in the first half, they showed belief, endeavour, hard work and quality.
They fully deserved the win, but now they have to replicate that kind of performance again. I know they can do it.
Now people in Europe should think twice about questioning me when I tell them how good Japanese players actually are!