Japan head coach Noriaki Kubo has made it clear that he will continue to lead the national team with confidence, despite the departure of key player Takumi Mitoma. The 42-year-old Mitoma announced his retirement from international football earlier this month due to a knee injury sustained during the recent Asian qualifiers.
Kubo emphasized that the absence of Mitoma would not affect Japan's preparations for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar. "Takumi is an important player, but we have other talented players who can step up and fill the void," Kubo stated at a press conference on Tuesday. "Our focus now is to build a strong team around these new leaders."
The coach he would work closely with the medical staff to ensure Mitoma's recovery and return to fitness as soon as possible, so that he could be available for the tournament. "Takumi’s experience and leadership are invaluable, but we have other capable players who can contribute significantly," Kubo continued.
Japan is currently ranked 15th in the FIFA World Rankings and will face tough competition at the World Cup, including strong teams from Europe and South America. However, Kubo remains optimistic about his team's chances. "We have a solid squad with depth and talent across all positions. We are well-prepared for this challenge," he said.
The absence of Mitoma is a significant blow to Japan’s attack, but the coach believes that other players such as Takumi Watanabe and Shinji Okazaki can step up and provide the goals needed to secure a strong showing at the World Cup. "We have many capable forwards who can score important goals," Kubo noted.
Japan's first match in the tournament is scheduled for November 23 against Costa Rica, marking their opening day of group stage play. As they gear up for this crucial competition, Kubo and his team are determined to deliver a memorable performance on the global stage.
