Japan’s first football team is looking for another victory in the 2022 World Cup when it faces its Costa Rican counterpart, Sunday, at Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium, in the second round of Group E competitions.
The Japanese national team attracted the spotlight to it during the first round competitions, after its exciting victory over Germany 2-1 last Wednesday, as it overturned its delay against the machines team, to a victory that will remain immortal in the minds of the followers of the round witch, after scoring two goals in the last 15 minutes of the match.
Japan, which is participating in the World Cup for the seventh edition in a row, occupies second place in the group standings, with 3 points, on goal difference behind the leaders Spain, who are equal to it in the same balance, after its crushing victory 7-0 over Costa Rica, bottom of the standings in the first round.
Japan hopes to build on its stunning victory over Germany, and take another giant step towards reaching the knockout stages for the fourth time in its history and the second in a row.
It is possible that the Japanese national team will advance to the round of 16 early, before entering its last meeting in the group against Spain next Thursday, if it beats Costa Rica, and Germany fails to beat Spain in their meeting that takes place in the same round, Sunday, as well.
Perhaps the opportunity will be ripe for the Japanese national team to take advantage of the imbalance that the Costa Rica national team is currently suffering from, after its severe loss against Spain, which was the heaviest defeat in the history of its participation in the World Cup.
Colombian coach Luis Fernando, Costa Rica, expressed his concerns about the state of mind of his players after the resounding defeat against Spain, where he said: “I have to deal with this result and think long about what I say to my players to raise their spirits.”
Despite this, the Costa Rican national team, which has passed the group stage twice in its previous five participations in the World Cup, is looking forward to regaining its pride again. 
