2026 WorldWorld Cup: Japan Wary Of Sweden Threat Ahead Of Group Decider
NASHVILLE, June 24 (Bernama-Kyodo) -- Japan midfielder Ao Tanaka on Tuesday warned his teammates to be wary of their upcoming World Cup opponents Sweden, as the Scandinavians look to bounce back from their 5-1 mauling by the Netherlands, Kyodo News reported.
Injured Takefusa Kubo will remain sidelined for the Samurai Blue as they head into their final Group F match on Thursday at Dallas Stadium, trailing group leaders the Netherlands on goals scored.
Speaking at Japan's training base near Nashville, Tennessee, Tanaka described Sweden strikers Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak as "two of the world's best".
"I believe they especially thrive on counters when there is space, and we have to think about how to deal with them," Tanaka said.
Tanaka famously netted the winner against Spain at the previous World Cup in Qatar with a memorable assist from his boyhood friend Kaoru Mitoma, who kept the ball in play by a matter of millimetres.
Having starred for Leeds over the past two seasons, first in England's second-tier Championship and then in the Premier League, Tanaka played key passes that led to two of Japan's goals as they brushed aside Tunisia 4-0 on Saturday in Monterrey, Mexico.
"Playing regularly in a tough environment in England helped me in the match, and has also helped my development so far," said Tanaka, who was making his first start of this World Cup. "But it's just one game and I need to put in even better performances."
Donning the No. 7 shirt passed on from the injured Mitoma, with whom he maintains daily contact, Tanaka is also wearing shin pads specially made of Wajima lacquerware from the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, after making regular visits to the area hit by a devastating earthquake on New Year's Day in 2024.
"I hope we can send them something with our performances," Tanaka said. "As we're in high spirits, we need to make sure we win the next match and do whatever is needed to pick up the points we need."
The Japan Football Association said Kubo is still nursing the left knee injury that ruled him out of Japan's win over Tunisia. The Real Sociedad player was forced off in the 75th minute of Japan's 2-2 opening draw with the Netherlands on June 14.
-- BERNAMA-KYODO
