Emerging Asano eyes World Cup breakthrough with Japan

• Takuma Asano a pivotal figure as Japan reached Russia 2018
• Asano a rising star of Samurai Blue’s attack under Vahid Halilhodzic
• The 23-year-old says he has softened fast given fasten Stuttgart

Ambition is something that immature Takuma Asano is not lacking. The 23-year-old might be one of a up-and-comers with Japan, carrying accrued usually 12 general caps to date. Despite that medium turn of top-grade experience, Asano is eyeing a unchanging place in Vahid Halilhodzic’s 2018 FIFA World Cup Russiaâ„¢ squad.

“Regardless of my age and experiences, we am usually perplexing to work tough to win my place with a inhabitant team,” a forward, now plying his trade with German Bundesliga side Stuttgart, told FIFA.com.

“I wish to do my pinnacle for a Japan team. Particularly, we wish to minister my share and that a organisation creates story in a World Cup.”

It is confidant matter from a immature man, though one that speaks of a craving for success.

In their 5 World Cups, Japan have progressed over a organisation theatre usually twice, reaching a Round of 16 in 2002 and 2010. The ambitions for Russia 2018 have not been aided by a severe pull that pits Japan opposite Senegal, Poland and Colombia. Japan crashed to a vast 4-1 softened opposite a latter during Brazil 2014.

Still, Asano believes that Japan have a satisfactory possibility of surpassing to a subsequent theatre if they say their opening level.

“I am not astounded about a pull results,” he said. “And we am not delighted, either. No teams are definite favourites to win this group.

“It is always a plea for us to play opposite a world’s best teams and we contingency give our all if we are to strech a second stage. But we should set new goals to grasp softened formula than before. For me, we should do my best to make to a World Cup team.”

Halilhodzic’s go-to arms
The gifted goal-scorer is among Halilhodzic’s new favorites to spearhead Japan’s attacking-line. It was a Bosnian manager who gave Asano his initial inhabitant organisation call-up dual years ago during a 2015 EAFF East Asian Championship.

Halilhodzic’s faith in a actor was such that he started him in a all-important penultimate Russia 2018 qualifier opposite Asian champions Australia, in welfare to star-strikers like Genki Haraguchi and Shinji Okazaki.

It was a preference that left even a actor surprised. “To be honest, it was over my anticipation,” Asano said. “But we am a actor who is always prepared for any test.

“Coach Halilhodzic asked me to cut by a Australian back-line. He wanted me to be assertive in attack, though also useful in defence.”

Asano positively repaid his coach’s faith. He struck a opener and set adult Yosuke Ideguchi for another as Japan kick Australia 2-0 to book their sixth World Cup appearance. It was Japan’s first-ever World Cup subordinate feat opposite a Socceroos.

“It was good to measure and assistance my organisation win. However, we was not confident with my performances. we shall continue to work tough to urge my game.”

Making good in Germany
Standing during usually 171cm, Asano is good wakeful of his best footballing assets. “My strengths are my transformation on or off a ball, as good as my speed,” pronounced Asano, whose talents tender Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, where he sealed for a Gunners usually to be loaned to Stuttgart.

Asano, however, says he has made good progress since fasten Stuttgart final season. “I’ve softened on winning one-on-one duels given fasten Stuttgart, and we have also turn softened in defence. These are skills and practice that will assistance me perform softened for Japan.”

While Bundesliga commitments are a evident priority, a available of a World Cup coming in Russia looms large. And Asano is all too wakeful what hurdles are available Samurai Blue if they are to mangle new belligerent on a universe stage.

“Of march we need to urge a scoring ability to win games. And we contingency be plain during counterclaim and not concur goals cheaply. As for my role, we wish to play and we wish to measure openly regardless of a opponent.”

Du darfst auch am Wochenende gerne wieder treffen, @AsaTaku29! Wie ist egal… 😉#VfB #Asano #stuttgartgehtab pic.twitter.com/bM0HpgugOr

— VfB Stuttgart (@VfB) December 1, 2017

 

Article source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=12/news=tues-emerging-asano-eyes-world-cup-breakthrough-with-japan-2924604.html