Qatar Football World Cup: Hiroshi Kiyotake supports Japan in testing old homes in Germany, Spain

One of only five Japanese to have played in the top tier of Germany and Spain. Hiroshi Kiyotake is delighted to see his country join the former World Cup winners in Qatar World Cup Group E this year. The 32-year-old, who currently captains old club Cerezo Osaka in the J-League A, said his emotions weren’t necessarily just nostalgia for his time in Europe. But that it’s more coming from Japan to meet two titles favourites on the biggest stage. Qatar FIFA World Cup fans can buy Japan Football World Cup Tickets from our website.

Hiroshi Kiyotake is delighted to see his country join the former World Cup winners in Qatar World Cup
Hiroshi Kiyotake is delighted to see his country join the former World Cup winners in Qatar World Cup

“I’ve been out of the national team for a while so I hope to see the game as a personal Japanese fan,” said Kiyotake. Who was last called up in March 2017 before a series of injuries drove him out of 2018. ” The World Cup in Russia, Kyodo News recently told.

“It’s usually seen as a tough group, but I feel like we’ve gotten into a good group. I hope we can kind of get in there and say, ‘Wow, this is going to be fun.'”

An agile striker with vision and delicate touch with his feet. Hiroshi Kiyotake was a key part of Japan’s fourth-place finish at the 2012 London Olympics, beating Spain 1-0 in their opener at Hampden Park.

His only Football World Cup appearance was in Brazil in 2014. But he stayed on the bench when Japan lost 2-1 to Ivory Coast in a 0-0 draw with 10-man Greece. He came on with five minutes to go in the final group game against Colombia, in which the Blue Warriors lost 4-1.

“From my time in the Olympics and the World Cup. I really felt the importance of the first game,” he said. “Getting the momentum depends on that game.”

Kiyotake was a key part of Japan's fourth-place finish at the 2012 London Olympics
Kiyotake was a key part of Japan’s fourth-place finish at the 2012 London Olympics

Oita Trinita’s youth product left Cerezo for Germany immediately. After the Olympics and after two seasons in Nurnberg and Hannover, scoring 17 goals in 117 Bundesliga games. Kiyotake saw a common theme among Japanese and German footballers.

“Germany is very similar to Japan in that everyone is disciplined, and in that sense. I expect both sides to take a robust approach and solve problems through individual differences,” he said.

While acknowledging that Germany is a “balanced team” led by goalkeeper Neuer. Kiyotake said three points should remain Japan’s goal, rather than a draw from the start.

“We have a chance to play against a really good team in Germany. I personally hope Japan will win, and part of me thinks we can too,” he said.

“We have a lot of players who play in Germany and some in Spain. I think it will be easier to play with players who know a lot of our members.”

After joining the then three-time Europa League champions Sevilla in 2016, Kiyotake’s stayed in Spain for half a season. Football World Cup fans can buy Japan Vs Spain Tickets from our website.

Perhaps still the most talked-about move to La Liga from Japan. Takefusa Kubo has yet to play for his home team Real Madrid. Yoshito Okubo, Takashi Inui, Shinji Okazaki and Yoshinori Muto. All of whom have Bundesliga spells and played for the team in the Spanish title race.

Hiroshi Kiyotake had a promising debut, playing the full 120 minutes of extra time in the UEFA Super Cup in a 3-2 win over. Real Madrid before scoring a goal in Sevilla’s 6-4 La Liga opener against Espanyol The ball and another great score. But with the arrival of Samir Nasri on loan from Manchester City, coupled with his own language difficulties, things got messy.

Kiyotake had a promising debut, playing the full 120 minutes of extra time in the UEFA Super Cup
Kiyotake had a promising debut, playing the full 120 minutes of extra time in the UEFA Super Cup

Competition for the attacking midfield position is fierce and one of his direct rivals. Alongside Andalusia’s left-footed Pablo Sarabia, will stand in the way of Japan in Qatar.

“He’s a very serious, calm player, very skilled from the start”. Kiyotake said of the 30-year-old Paris Saint-Germain player. Who scored in Spain’s last two Nations League matches against Switzerland and the Czech Republic in June the game.”

“The way he has the ball is unique and it’s hard for others to take it from. When he’s under pressure, he can pass the ball to someone else or use it as a trick for himself to jump over defenders. “

“But the most important thing is his talent in front of goal. It’s hard to be a playmaker and a finisher at the same time, and that’s where I think he’s a good player.”

Still, Hiroshi Kiyotake has experience beating Spain in Glasgow and suggested. That their tireless approach to that match, with their technically gifted opponent going down. After a goal could offer some leverage.

“Our pre-Olympic reputation was not high at all and our priority was to go to them because we have nothing to lose. We pressured all their players,” he said. “I think it’s a must for Spain.”

“If we go one-on-one they will have the most possession and get away with ease. So how we put pressure on their ball-handlers will be important.”

 Japanese Football captain Maya Yoshida also joins Schalke in the German top flight

The newly-promoted Bundesliga club was announced on Tuesday. That Japanese captain Maya Yoshida has come to Schalke 04 on a free transfer. Qatar World Cup fans can buy Germany Vs Japan Tickets from our website.

Japan Captain Yoshida's contract with Schalke runs until June 2023
Japan Captain Yoshida’s contract with Schalke runs until June 2023

The 33-year-old centre-back, who left Serie A team Sampdoria last month, has had limited minutes since sustaining an injury to his right thigh in January.

The club said on its website that Yoshida’s contract with Schalke runs until June 2023, with an option for a one-year extension.

“Maya was a leader in organizing our games from behind,” Schalke coach Frank Kramer said in a statement. “His calm playing style will keep us steady at all stages of the game.”

Yoshida became the third Japanese player to wear the Schalke livery, following recent Samurai Blue defence partner Ko Itakura and former national teammate Atsuto Uchida.

Itakura, who started working for Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday, helped the Royal Blues win the Bundesliga last season and advance to the Bundesliga.

“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to wear the Schalke 04 jersey and look forward to getting to know my teammates, coaching staff and fans,” Yoshida said through the club.

Yoshida started his J-League career with the Nagoya Whales. Before moving to VVV-Venlo in the Dutch top flight in January 2010. He joined Southampton in 2012 and played 154 Premier League games for the Saints before moving to Sampdoria in January 2020.

The Nagoya Grampus native has made 119 appearances for the Japanese national team and has scored 12 goals since his international debut in 2010. He has also competed in three Olympic Games, leading Japan to fourth place at last summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo.

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