In this interview series “Reflecting on the FIFA World Cup™,” we talked to players who played in the FIFA World Cup™ as a member of the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team). In this first article, we interviewed INAMOTO Junichi, who played in three World Cups (2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™, 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™, and 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™) and KONNO Yasuyuki, who played in two World Cups (2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ and 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™).

※This interview was conducted online on 28 September 2022

Talent alone won't get you very far on the international stage

――The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ is about to kick off. Based on their recent performances against the USA and Ecuador in September, how do you see the current SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team)?

INAMOTO　Most players in the current team play for clubs abroad. There are a few players who are active in the J.League, but I think the level has improved a lot compared to the teams from the three World Cups I played in (2002, 2006 and 2010).

KONNO　I agree. Having participated in two World Cups (2010 and 2014), I have the impression that the current team has more international experience. This is because more players are now playing for clubs abroad. Overall, they have a very talented line-up. Veterans like KAWASHIMA Eiji and NAGATOMO Yuto, who I have played with, are also doing well to stay on the team.

INAMOTO　Players with a lot of national team experience are important for the team. For example, their presence can make a difference to the overall atmosphere and the quality of the training sessions. Players like Kawashima and Nagatomo are essential, as we have seen in previous tournaments.

――The selection of players for the FIFA World Cup™ has always created drama in many ways. How did you both feel before the squad was announced?

KONNO　It depends on the situation I was in. At the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ I was worried if I would be selected. I wanted to make a bigger impression in the J.League if I could. On the other hand, I was expecting to be selected for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, so I was trying not to get injured in the league matches. How about you, Inamoto-san?

INAMOTO　I don't think I ever gave much thought to whether I would be selected or not. If I had to say, I was a bit nervous before the squad was announced for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. In my case, I felt that I had already done everything within my power. Even if I wasn’t selected, I would not have regretted it.

――When Mr. Inamoto played in his first World Cup, at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™, Mr. Konno, you were in your second year as a professional player.

KONNO　As a 19-year-old, I was cheering for the Japan National Team just like any other fan. I couldn't even imagine being a member of the World Cup team at that time. In fact, I had been watching the team since the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and loved the style of play of Mr Inamoto.

INAMOTO　Is that true?

KONNO　We played the same position, so I was inspired by your play as a defensive midfielder who can both attack and defend. I was really looking forward to seeing how you would play from the first match, so I was happy to see you score two goals. I've always wanted to ask you, when you scored against Russia (in the second group stage match, where Japan won 1-0), why were you in that position? I'm sure everyone in Japan was wondering that.

INAMOTO　I even wonder myself. Why was I in the penalty area at that time of the game (51st minute)? I think there were two or three Japanese players in the penalty area, and I was one of them. I had scored against Belgium in the first game, so I must have been keen to score again. I had been working well with YANAGISAWA-san (Atsushi), who assisted me, so I had the feeling that he would deliver a good pass if I was nearby. I remember the goals against Belgium and Russia very well, as they play the footage on TV every year of the World Cup.

――Tell us about the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™.

KONNO　I would have loved to play for that team too. I had been called up by coach ZICO before, but I simply didn't make the cut in the end. Despite my disappointment, once the tournament started, I once again watched the games as a fan of the national team. I was looking forward to it because the team had a stellar line-up.

INAMOTO　I certainly believe that we had a substantial number of talents compared to the past Japan National Teams. However, talent alone won't get you very far on the international stage.

KONNO　You could say that the first match against Australia was everything. Despite scoring the first goal, the team conceded three goals. I wondered what had happened.

INAMOTO　I think coach Guus HIDDINK of the Australia National Team (at the time) studied us very well. They did things we didn't like, and we couldn't hold up until the end. The lack of veteran players who could organise and lead the team was also a big factor. As I mentioned earlier, this tournament made me realise how important it is to have experienced players, just like how the current team has Nagatomo and other veteran players.

KONNO　Can I ask you another question? What kind of person is NAKATA Hidetoshi? Until now, I have never met him or spoken with him. Although I have always admired him, I didn't know who he really was. The media portrayed him as a charismatic person with a distinctive vibe, but I wonder what he was really like.

INAMOTO　Well, I don't think he was the type to actively talk to younger players. But when we talked to him, he was very kind to us. For players of our generation, he was like a “caring brother.”

To be continued in Part 2.

Read Part Two

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™

Tournament Dates: Sun. 20 November - Sun. 18 December 2022
[Group Stage]
1st Match: Wed. 23 November 16:00 [Local Time] vs Germany National Team
2nd Match: Sun. 27 November 13:00 [Local Time] vs Costa Rica National Team
3rd Match: Thu. 1 December 22:00 [Local Time] vs Spain National Team

Tournament Information

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