Japan won the Asian Cup on Jan. 29 for the fourth time by taking the breathtaking final against Australia that went deep into additional time in Qatar. In the six matches it played from the elimination round through the cup final, the Japanese squad caught up with their opponent squad to secure a tie or came from behind to win hard-fought matches whenever the ebb of the play turned unfavorable for them.
The Asian Cup, though it is the most prestigious soccer championship in the region, had never before attracted so much attention in Japan or elsewhere. The Asian Cup championship this time has provided Japanese supporters, and perhaps many other soccer fans in other areas as well, with the good opportunity to perceive the outpouring fighting spirits put on by the Japanese squad and to become well aware of the growing tenacity demonstrated by its players.
After last summer's World Cup held in South Africa, goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima left Japan to play in Belgium while fullback Yuto Nagatomo played in Italy; Atsuto Uchida and Shinji Kagawa, in Germany. During this year's championship play in Qatar, those players who had improved their skills and power through their activities in Europe added vitality to the Japanese quad.