Japan veteran Yuto Nagatomo has called on his teammates to display mental maturity in their crucial World Cup round-of-32 clash against Brazil, scheduled for Monday.
Speaking to the media, Nagatomo stressed this would be the biggest test yet of the Japanese players' resolve as they face one of the strongest teams in the world. He said the mental factor, more than tactics or technique, would be decisive.
“We need to show that we have matured, not only professionally but also psychologically. Brazil is a top team, but if we maintain our belief and play with full focus, we can definitely cause an upset,” Nagatomo said.
The Japan-Brazil match promises to be tense, with both sides aiming to go deep in the tournament. Nagatomo, with his extensive experience from previous World Cups, is expected to guide his teammates through the pressure.
