On Thursday 10 October, the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) will face the Mongolia National Team in the second round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar Asian Qualifiers at Saitama Stadium 2002.

Enhanced teamwork that can lead to multiple goals

On Tuesday 10 September, the SAMURAI BLUE started off the second round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and AFC Asian Cup China PR 2023 Preliminary Joint Qualification with a 2-0 victory against the Myanmar National Team. The team will now welcome the Mongolia National Team to Saitama Stadium 2002 on Thursday 10 October. At their first home match of the qualifiers, there are high hopes for the SAMURAI BLUE to win the match with multiple goals scored from their enhanced teamwork.

Ahead of their first ever matchup against Japan, the Mongolia National Team has played two matches of the qualifiers in September, both played at Ulaanbaatar against teams with higher FIFA rankings than themselves. The team defeated the Myanmar National Team 1-0 before losing to the Tajikistan National Team 0-1. The Mongolian side has not played at the FIFA World Cup nor the AFC Asian Cup, but the team has shown great motivation towards this qualifiers, as their coach Michael WEISS was quoted on the official webpage of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), “Such a game will help promote the sport (in Mongolia).”

The opposing general has coaching experience in Japan

It is expected that Mongolia will add layers to their defence in this away fixture against Japan. Their goalkeeper, Ariunbold BATSAIKHAN is a solid player and their defence is capable of initiating sharp counterattacks that can penetrate the open space behind the opposing defence line. Their flank players, Narmandakh ARTAG and Gankhuyag SER-OD-YANJIV will seek to deliver crosses from the sides, while their striker, Mijiddorj OYUUNBAATAR is a player to keep an eye on in their offence.

The team is led by coach Weiss, a German coach who has a coaching experience with Kyoto Purple Sanga (Currently known as Kyoto Sanga FC). He took part in the team that has won the 82nd Emperor's Cup in 2002, a team consisting players like MATSUI Daisuke and PARK Ji-Sung at the time.

Although Japan has won their match against Myanmar with ease, the team left plenty of room for improvements, as NAGATOMO Yuto mentioned after the match, “despite creating that many opportunities, we managed to score just two goals.” Team captain, YOSHIDA Maya also pointed out, “we lacked creativity and held onto the ball too long in the second half.” If the team can address these issues and make the adjustments accordingly, there will be high hopes to see multiple goals scored in their next match. With Mongolia showing their vulnerability against attacks from the flanks, Japanese fullbacks, Nagatomo and SAKAI Hiroki may play a key role in their attacks.

After defeating Kyrgyz Republic and Mongolia with a score of 1-0 in both matches, Tajikistan currently leads Group F. Their next match is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 15 October, when they welcome Japan to their home stadium in Dushanbe. Japan will seek to win both matches against Mongolia and Tajikistan to take the group lead. However, the youthful Tajikistani side is carrying great momentum and definitely a force to be reckoned with.

(As of 10 September 2019)

2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and AFC Asian Cup China PR 2023 Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2

SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) vs Mongolia National Team
Date: Thu. 10 October 2019 19:35
Venue: Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama

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