Takefusa Doan says he understands the significance of wearing Japan’s number 10 shirt and has challenged himself to produce performances like his display in the Kirin Cup final more regularly.
Doan was speaking to Japanese media after Japan beat New Zealand in the final, having been deployed on the wing rather than as a wing-back.
“I kept thinking I had to score,” Doan said. “I always said it was my strength to aim for a goal in every match, but I couldn’t score, which made me anxious.”
The player said he had tried to balance his own attacking qualities with Japan’s requirements, adding that he completed the role requested of him by the team.
“I believe I did what I could while considering what the team wanted to do alongside my own strengths,” he said. “I was assigned to play on the wing, so I understood the intention and completed the requested task.”
Doan also explained why playing further forward had enabled him to reach positions he would not normally occupy as a wing-back.
“If I were a wing-back, I wouldn’t be able to get into such deep positions,” he said. “It would be ideal to get in there, of course, but against World Cup opponents like Gakpo from the Netherlands or Vini Jr. from Brazil, I haven’t recently had the intensity to get into such deep positions in those matchups.”
“It was only because I was a winger that I could score that goal,” he added.
The Japan international said he had never lost faith in his ability to contribute in an attacking position, while insisting he was not unhappy to be asked to play as a wing-back.
“I never doubted my own abilities, so there was always a belief in my heart: ‘If I’m used in the front line, I can do it,’” Doan said.
“I’m also motivated by playing wing-back, so this is by no means dissatisfaction, but I’ve always told myself, ‘If you let me work up front, I can do it.’”
Doan acknowledged that one match alone would not necessarily lead to a major change in how he was assessed. However, he said the responsibility attached to Japan’s number 10 shirt made it even more important for him to deliver consistently.
“Although it was just one game, I don’t think I’ll be rated that highly, but I want to produce results like this regularly and also understand the meaning of this number, No. 10,” he said.
“So the contradiction will only grow, but precisely because of that, I tell myself I must deliver results. I don’t plan to make excuses for it, nor do I plan to run away.”
