Looking At The 2023 Asian Cup With Optimism, Takefusa Kubo Determined To Bury Bad Dreams In Qatar

Takefusa Kubo (left) wants to contribute more to Japan in the 2023 Asian Cup (Instagram/@takefusa.kubo).

JAKARTA - Japan is one of the participants who will appear in the 2023 Asian Cup in Qatar on January 12-10 February 2024. There are things that Takefusa Kubo wants to fix when he returns to his feet in Qatar.

Kubo is included in the list of players brought in by Japan in the 2023 Asian Cup. Being able to step on his feet again in Qatar, the 22-year-old player turned out to be carrying a positive mission.

He turned out determined to bury the nightmare he had felt with Japan in Qatar. The incident refers to the moment of the 2022 World Cup which was also held in Qatar.

At that time, Japan was also a participant and Takefusa Kubo was included in the Blue Samurai squad. However, the Real Sociedad player did not get many opportunities to play with a total of 90 minutes of appearances throughout his team until the round of 16.

That experience then wanted to be changed by Kubo at the 2023 Asian Cup. He wants to act and contribute more to his team so that they can go further.

"The moment (World Cup 2022) is not a good memory. I am in a different position from the last moment in Qatar. So, I want to believe that even better," said Takefusa Kubo quoted from Nikkan Sports on Friday, January 12, 2024.

In the 2023 Asian Cup, Japan is in Group D with the Indonesian, Iraqi and Vietnamese national teams. They will have their first match against Vietnam at Al Thumama Stadium, Doha, Sunday, January 14, 2024, at 18.30 WIB.