Go Oiwa’s side were imperious in the group stage, winning all three of their matches with seven goals scored without reply but face arguably their toughest challenge yet in the shape of 1992 champions and 2020 runners-up Spain.
Getting their Group D campaign off with a 5-0 win over Paraguay, Japan followed up with 1-0 victories against Mali and Israel.
Both the slim wins were secured by late goals, testimony of Oiwa’s management of the squad with the 52-year-old head coach not selecting the same starting 11 in all three matches with 18 having been given starts.
With matches being played every three days, managing the load and fitness of his players has been key to Japan’s success thus far.
There is, however, a worry for Oiwa with Ryuya Nishio, Hiroki Sekine, Joel Chima Fujita and Kota Takai all one yellow card away from missing out on a potential semi-final.
Spain have been impressive in their own way with two wins in Group C enabling them to book a place in the last eight with a match to spare but haven’t been able to keep a clean sheet thus far.
Having shown they have what it takes to match up with the best in the competition, Oiwa and co will be confident they will be able to do the job against the European side and take their place in the semi-finals where they could face either Morocco or the United States.
