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Midfielder Kaoru Mitoma spoke as if squeezing out words in the mixed zone after the Costa Rica national team suffered a bitter 0-1 defeat.
“My mistake started when we lost the ball. If it wasn’t for that, we wouldn’t have conceded a goal, so I’m sorry for that.”
Mitoma talked about the goal scene after 81 minutes. When FW Joel Campbell tried to attack from the left side, Mitoma stood in front of him. However, if they allowed the interference with a light response, the ball would be used deep in their own half without being able to steal the ball. From that flow, a pass error was born, and I suffered a bitter loss. With a serious expression on his face, Mitoma continued.
“To be honest, I have no choice but to switch to the next one.
Following the German national team match four days ago, he was appointed as a “joker” and changed the flow of the game from midday. However, compared to the game against Germany, where midfielder Ritsu Doan scored the equalizing goal, the game against Costa Rica had little to offer.
“I wanted to try a bit more, but the ball didn’t come and I couldn’t show myself, and I regret that. I knew it would be difficult if I didn’t keep moving when the block was hardened, but I did it this way in the actual performance. I felt bad.”
There was about 10 minutes remaining when they were forced to take the lead and finally saw what appeared to be a breakthrough from Mitoma. Twice he dribbled past the mark and entered the penalty area to create a clear chance.
Why wasn’t that play from the beginning? Why couldn’t we have been braver? The more I looked back, the more regret I felt.
“I thought about using my surroundings if two opponents came, and I thought about going. I did, but I couldn’t give you that kind of power.”
He has been on the bench for two games in a row, but he is not someone’s backup. It’s just a team strategy to get into the field later. It can be said that the current Mitoma is one of the most indispensable and important players in the team.
About a year ago, he was called up to the national team for the first time. After assisting the winning goal against Oman on November 17, 2009, he scored two goals against Australia on March 23, 2009, leading the team to the World Cup. He scored 2 goals in the June series and 1 goal in the September series, increasing his presence in the national team.
Director Hajime Moriyasu has high expectations, saying, “I want Kaoru to approach the game with a sense of tactics.” Feeling the evaluation from the commander and the change in his position within the team, Mitoma himself has increased his awareness as a core player.
That is why he seems disappointed with his performance against Costa Rica. But once the game is over, you can’t get it back. Mitoma said to cheer up for the Spanish national team game.
“I think we have to play without any regrets in the game against Spain. Maybe it’s like the game against Germany, but we want to play a game like today so that everyone will regret after the game. I don’t know if I will be aggressive, but I really want to prepare one more time and give everything we have.”
I do not know at the moment if it will be a starting lineup or continue to use Joker. But it is clear what needs to be done. Clear your head and play as yourself to break through the Spanish defense.
Written by Atsushi Iio
Born in 1975. Born in Tokyo. After graduating from Meiji University, he worked for Weekly Soccer Digest before becoming a freelancer in 2012. 2010, 2014, World Cup 2018, Rio Olympics 2016, etc. His publications include “Golden Year: A Turning Point Revealed by 19 Top J League Players” and “Zanshin: Kengo Nakamura’s 1700 Days of Her and Frustration”.
