In the group stage of the World Cup, the Japanese team fought back against the odds with amazing perseverance to win against Germany and Spain, who had won the World Championship. However, on their way to the round of 16, they were met with stiff resistance from Croatia, eventually drawing 1-1 and losing on penalties. Although the happy ending in the cartoon soccer players did not come true, but the heroism of the "Terra Nova Army" won the recognition of the world. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed his recognition and consolation for the players' fighting spirit through social media at the first time after the match.
After Japan's exit, the players were in tears, and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida immediately sent a warm message, saying, "It is difficult to express my regret for not being able to advance to the last eight of the World Cup, but I am touched by the courage you have shown me in your relentless pursuit of victory. You have shown a new era of Japanese soccer. I am deeply grateful to the coaches, players and other staff for your hard work." Fumio Kishida has been paying close attention to the performance of the Japanese team, from the team's first game blowout victory over Germany, he has been constantly posting messages of praise for the players, even when losing, he did not forget to give comfort to the players, showing his care.
Even after the defeat, the Japanese team remained dignified, tidied up the locker room and left the "paper crane formation" on the table as a gift to show their appreciation to the organizing authorities and staff.
Japanese soccer has climbed up the ranks in the last 20 years, with most of the players in the national team now playing for clubs in Europe's top leagues, but it has never been able to break the World Cup round of 16 curse.In 2002, with the advantage of being the hosts, Japan reached the round of 16 for the first time, and since then have stopped short in 2010, 2018 and this year's edition of the World Cup.
After the match, Japan's team leader Mori Baoichi expressed his firm confidence in the team, believing that the Round of 16 is not the limit: "From now on, as long as Japanese soccer steadfastly pursues its goal, it will surely cross this difficult barrier. We will continue to support these outstanding players, and as long as all the people of Japan are united in facing the world, we will break through the bottleneck of the Round of 16 in the future. Let's wait and see if Mori Boichi's bold words will become reality.
