🚨🗣️Hidetoshi Nakata on Japan’s dominant 4-0 victory over Tunisia at the World Cup:
🗣️ “From my days in AS Roma I knew Japan will become a dangerous force in football and we are still creating the most exciting footballers in our academy. Watching this team tonight made me incredibly proud. I’ve represented Japan at World Cups, I’ve experienced the pressure that comes with wearing this shirt, and I can honestly say this team is making the entire country dream.”
“A 4-0 win at a World Cup is not something that happens by accident. The discipline, the movement, the technical quality, and the mentality were all at an elite level from the first minute to the last.”
“What I love most is that this team doesn’t look intimidated by anyone anymore. Years ago, Japan would earn respect by competing with the big nations. Now they’re earning respect by dominating matches against them.”
“You can see the belief growing with every game. The players are playing with confidence, they trust each other completely, and they look like a group that genuinely believes it can achieve something special.”
“People around the world are starting to notice Japan, but honestly, this has been coming for years. The development of Japanese football, the players competing in top European leagues, and the mentality of this generation have all led to moments like this.”
“If I were one of the traditional favourites, I would not want to face Japan right now. They are organized, fearless, technically brilliant, and they never stop running.”
“The scary thing is that they still look hungry. Even after scoring four goals, they kept attacking, kept pressing, and kept searching for more. That’s not the mentality of a team happy to be here. That’s the mentality of a team chasing greatness.”
“As a former Japan international, seeing performances like this is emotional. Because you realize that the dream we had years ago is becoming reality right in front of our eyes.”
“And trust me, if Japan continue playing football like this, people will stop calling them dark horses. They’ll start calling them genuine favourites to win the World Cup.”
Sir Alex Ferguson on Japan's dominant 4-0 victory over Tunisia at the World Cup:
🗣️ “I've watched football for decades, and one thing I've learned is that truly dangerous teams are often the ones people underestimate. Japan are no longer a team that should be underestimated by anybody.”
“A 4-0 victory at a World Cup doesn't happen because of luck. It happens because of preparation, discipline, quality, and a group of players completely committed to a common goal.”
“What stands out to me is their mentality. They don't play with fear. They don't play with doubt. They play with the confidence of a team that genuinely believes it belongs among the very best nations in football.”
“Before the tournament, the conversation was always about the traditional giants. But while everyone was busy discussing the usual favourites, Japan were quietly building something very special.”
“The best teams are not always the ones with the biggest names. The best teams are the ones that function as a unit, trust each other completely, and fight for every single moment. Japan have all of those qualities.”
“What should worry the rest of the world is that they are getting stronger with every match. That's usually the sign of a team capable of going very deep into a tournament.”
“When I watch Japan, I see hunger. I see organization. I see players willing to run, sacrifice, and work for each other. Those are the foundations of championship-winning teams.”
“People might still hesitate to call them favourites, but if they continue producing performances like this, that debate won't last much longer.”
“Every major tournament has a team that captures momentum and belief. Right now, Japan are building both at an alarming rate.”
“And trust me, if I were managing one of the traditional powerhouses in this World Cup, Japan would be one of the last teams I'd want to face. Because they look like a team that believes its destiny is much bigger than simply participating.”
Zlatan Ibrahimović on Japan's dominant 4-0 victory over Tunisia at the World Cup:
🗣️ “People need to stop calling Japan a surprise package. At some point, when you keep producing performances like this, you're no longer a surprise you're a serious contender.”
“A 4-0 win at the World Cup is not normal. You don't destroy teams by accident. You do it because you have quality, organization, confidence, and players who know exactly what they're doing.”
“What impresses me most is the way they play. There is no fear, no hesitation, no respect for reputations. They attack with intensity, defend as a unit, and make life miserable for every opponent.”
“Before the tournament started, everyone was talking about the traditional favourites. But match after match, Japan are quietly forcing their way into that conversation.”
“If I'm one of the big nations watching this performance, I'm worried. Very worried. Because Japan look like a team that is improving with every game they play.”
“The scary thing is that they don't look satisfied. Even at 3-0, even at 4-0, they keep pressing, keep running, and keep searching for more. That's the mentality of a team that believes it can achieve something special.”
“You can have all the star players in the world, but if you come up against a team playing with this level of discipline and confidence, you're going to suffer.”
“Right now, Japan are slowly becoming one of the favourites to win this World Cup. Some people won't like hearing that, but football doesn't care about reputations it cares about performances.”
“And trust me, any team that gets drawn against Japan in the next round won't be celebrating. They'll be wondering how they're supposed to stop them.”