The Japanese Kaoru Mitoma, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Yuta Nakayama hope that their stay in England will be beneficial to them with three months of the World Cup in Qatar.
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Mitoma shone with Brighton in the Premier League, Tomiyasu with Arsenal, while Nakayama started well with Huddersfield in the Second Division.
Mitoma, 25, showed up in Europe last season on an impressive loan spell at Royal Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium. He thrilled Brighton supporters on Saturday on his debut, a 15-minute cameo in the 0-0 home draw against Newcastle.
Kaoru Mitoma is pictured in action for Brighton and Hove Albion against Newcastle United during a Premier League match in Brighton, England on August 13, 2022. (For Editorial Use Only)(Essonne Info)
Mitoma said he had “no jitters” entering the packed Falmer Stadium and his confidence was reflected in his dazzling performance.
The highlight was going after Kieran Trippier, rounding the England international and giving the ball to Pascal Gross, who went wide.
Japanese fans are used to seeing Mitoma chopping up opponents in 2020 and 2021 for Kawasaki Frontale.
“I’m happy the dream came true, but frustrated that we couldn’t get the win,” Mitoma said of his league debut. “It was difficult because I didn’t have a lot of ball, but I was able to create a chance and I think I’m expected to show more. »
“I believe (Trippier) was quite tired after playing the first half for the sun side, and I think I have to be a winner under these circumstances. There was this gap in our condition, but it’s a positive point that I was able to overcome it. »
Head coach Graham Potter is delighted to have Mitoma, who is only the second true Japanese winger to play in the English Premier League after Ryo Miyaichi, who played a total of 17 games for Bolton, Wigan and Arsenal.
“He’s going to cause problems for the backs, he has the ability to get past people. It is quite unique. He had a fantastic impact,” Potter said. “He’s a bit of a nightmare for defenders. I wouldn’t like to play against him, that’s for sure. »
Mitoma’s two goals against Australia in March helped Japan qualify for Qatar. He knows he will have to adapt quickly to his new environment to gain the playing time necessary before the World Cup.
“I could take the first step and show a glimpse of the type of player I am to the supporters,” he said. “I could also show the head coach and the coaches a bit that I can do the job.”
“It’s going to be about how much I can produce (in terms of numbers), and I feel like I have to do that when I’m given more playing time. The most important thing is to maintain my condition and stay free. wound. »
Takehiro Tomiyasu is pictured in action for Arsenal against Leicester City during a Premier League match in London on August 13, 2022. (For Editorial Use Only)(Essonne Info)
Tomiyasu knows what it takes to play in one of the best leagues in the world after injuries derailed his strong start with Arsenal last season.
The 23-year-old quickly established himself at right-back but missed most Arsenal games from January to April with injuries to both calves, limiting him to 21 league appearances.
A season-ending injury also kept him out of Japan’s four international friendlies in June before he returned to action on Saturday, coming on as a substitute 15 minutes from time in the win over Arsenal over Leicester 4-2 at home.
“The most important thing is not to overdo it, in order to always be fit and ready to play until the end of the season,” he said.
“I had a lot of injuries last season… I need the will to win a starting position again, like a new player. »
Arsenal’s participation in the Europa League means there will often be two matches a week before the World Cup, which Tomiyasu is happy about.
“I think my fitness will improve,” he said of the crowded fixture list. “There won’t be a World Cup if I don’t do my job at Arsenal. First of all, I want to make the most of my days here”.
Yuta Nakayama is pictured in action for Huddersfield Town against Burnley during a Championship Second Division match in Huddersfield, England on July 29, 2022. (AMA/Getty/Essonne Info)
In the Second Division Championship, Nakayama’s switch from Dutch club Zwolle to Huddersfield went under the radar. Although he didn’t start with Japan in World Cup qualifying, this versatile defender could be used in the finals.
The 25-year-old opened the scoring with a header on his first league start last Saturday in a 3-1 home win against Stoke.
“The Championship was an unknown world for me, but I feel like I’m adjusting to its physical side,” he said. “It was thanks to the accumulation of work that I provided both in Japan and in the Netherlands, because I was aiming to play (in England). »
