'When I was having second thoughts about turning pro and angling toward going to university, they told me to become a pro and that's what made me who I am today.'Īs for many across the globe, his memories of past World Cups include both the historic clashes of powerhouses and those involving his home country.Įintracht Frankfurt attacker Daichi Kamada (R) challenges FC Koln midfielder Ellyes Skhiri in a German first-division match at Frankfurt's Deutsche Bank Park on Feb. 'I've thought about quitting football countless times but they persuaded me and that allowed me to continue,' he said. He is also grateful to his parents for encouraging him as a teenager when he was most in need of a boost. It's as though what I now feel is normal is not the case for others. 'When I first went to Europe, I was struck by how much bigger the other players were physically, but I no longer give that a thought. 'There was a time when I said 'I'll quit football if I can't make it in Europe' and I've been playing with that resolution.' 'My first year in Europe didn't go well but going back to Japan was not an option,' he said. His spell with Frankfurt did not get off to a good start after his move in the summer of 2017, the youngster seeing virtually no playing time in the first year before finally finding his feet following a year out on loan at Belgium's Sint-Truiden. Kamada is no stranger to difficult stretches. In reality, it's quite difficult, but we need to make it something routine.' 'People at home take reaching the World Cup finals from Asia as a given. 'But I'm feeling a massive amount with our backs against the wall.' I thought we will get the wins somehow,' he said. 'I didn't feel that much pressure until the final round of qualifying. 10 role disappear, consigning him to a place on the bench. Kamada fired blanks in Japan's home defeat to Oman as well as their game away to Saudi Arabia, and a change in formation saw his No. However, Hajime Moriyasu's men need to qualify first, and their final qualifying campaign has so far been far from ideal with two defeats from six games. His club's indifferent form this term following the summer departure of manager Adi Huetter has resulted in fewer league starts for Kamada, meaning that reaching the World Cup with Japan next year will probably come before he tastes Champions League action. (Kyodo)Ī late collapse in the league last season saw Frankfurt miss out on a Champions League spot by a single point, meaning Kamada is yet to experience the world's premier club competition despite his growing reputation on the continent. File photo shows Daichi Kamada of Japan in action during a Group B football match against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah in October 2021 in the final group-phase round of Asian qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.

Japan world cup 3 ps3