Japan 2022 Reversible World Cup Jacket

JAPAN - REVERSIBLE WORLD CUP JACKET 2022

The Japan Football Association was founded back in 1921, and their senior side have long been known as Samurai Blue. They have no single home, taking their football around the country and to the National Stadium in Tokyo, but they carry one of the game's great crests wherever they go: the Yatagarasu, the mythical three-legged crow that guides travellers in Japanese legend. It sits over the heart of every player who pulls on the blue.

This is the classy reversible jacket from Japan's unforgettable 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Drawn into a fearsome Group E alongside Germany and Spain, Hajime Moriyasu's side did the unthinkable and topped it, coming from behind to beat both former world champions and booking their place in the last 16. There they met Croatia, drew 1-1, and went out 3-1 on penalties, but this shirt belongs to one of the proudest group-stage campaigns Japan have ever managed.

The highlights still give supporters goosebumps. Japan trailed Germany before Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano turned it around for a 2-1 win, then repeated the trick against Spain, Doan levelling and Ao Tanaka bundling in a winner that survived a nerve-shredding millimetre VAR check on whether the ball had crossed the line. Only a shock loss to Costa Rica kept it from being perfect.

Ritsu Doan was the star with two priceless goals, while Kaoru Mitoma's touch to keep the ball alive for Tanaka became an instant classic. The penalty heartbreak against Croatia, with keeper Dominik Livakovic saving three, was the cruel end to a brilliant ride.

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