Moriyasu orders all-out attack as Japan face Sweden

Moriyasu: go all-out against Sweden

Japan only need a draw against Sweden on Friday to advance. Hajime Moriyasu does not want a draw. The manager has ordered a super-offensive approach (1). Defender Tsuyoshi Watanabe was blunt about Sweden's situation: "They have defensive problems" (1). Your team beat Tunisia 4–0 and drew 2–2 with the Netherlands. Momentum is real.

Kubo and Endo injury doubts

Takefusa Kubo and Wataru Endo are injury concerns ahead of the Sweden match (4). Graham Potter may rotate the squad regardless, with Sano Kaishu already signaling that rest is necessary after a tight three-day turnaround.

Ayase Ueda chasing more history

Ueda is already the first Japanese player to score a World Cup double. The Eredivisie top scorer has Bundesliga and Premier League clubs watching (4). Another big performance Friday and the noise gets louder.

Ryunosuke Sato joins Valencia

Valencia confirmed another signing from Japan. Ryunosuke Sato is the latest young Japanese prospect heading to Mestalla, the club announced (3). The pipeline to La Liga keeps producing.

Sweden cannot afford to lose

Sweden need a result against Japan to stay alive in the group. A loss could open the door for other teams depending on results elsewhere, with Brazil, Spain, Egypt, Ghana, and Uzbekistan all factoring into the round-of-32 equation (2).