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Wataru Endo has soothed the frustration of Sunday by serving to Japan turn into the primary nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Bahrain.
Endo has needed to discover his common sport time this season at worldwide stage, beginning all however one in all Japan’s seven World Cup qualifying video games.
He has performed 521 minutes for his nation in six appearances in comparison with 742 minutes in 26 Liverpool outings below Arne Slot – fairly the distinction!
On Thursday, he led Japan out towards Bahrain realizing a win would assure his nation’s place within the 2026 World Cup, making them the primary official qualifier alongside the three co-hosts.
He began and performed the total 90 on the base of midfield with ex-Liverpool ahead Takumi Minamino forward of him and even had the ball behind the online early on just for it to be dominated out after a VAR evaluation.
Finally it was Actual Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo who was the star for Japan. Named as a Liverpool goal final summer season, the 23-year-old provided the help for Daichi Kamada’s opening purpose.
He then made positive of the consequence later within the second half with an excellent shot from a good angle that flew past the goalkeeper and into the aspect netting on the again publish.
?? GOAL: Takefusa Kubo
Japan 2-0 Bahrainpic.twitter.com/aqw4YS5bYd
— Targets Xtra (@GoalsXtra) March 20, 2025
Japan efficiently certified from a gaggle together with Australia, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and China, and now be part of america, Canada and Mexico for subsequent 12 months’s match.
This can be Endo’s third World Cup with Japan after that includes in 2018 and 2022 in Russia and Qatar respectively – and he’ll hope to captain his aspect past the spherical of 16 for the primary time.
In different worldwide information, Ryan Gravenberch has left the Netherlands camp and returned to Liverpool for evaluation after an damage subject which we hope isn’t critical.
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