Takehiro Tomiyasu labels his performance against Croatia a 'DISASTER'

Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu labels his performance in Japan’s penalty shootout defeat against Croatia a ‘DISASTER’ and admits he needs ‘time to forget about football’ after their World Cup exit

  • Takehiro Tomiyasu said his own performance against Croatia was a ‘disaster’ 
  • Underdogs Japan were sent home from Qatar after losing on penalties to Croatia
  • Tomiyasu said he ‘can’t be proud’ of Japan’s achievements despite their success
  • Arsenal defender was also unsure whether he will be joining Gunners in Dubai 
  • PLAYER RATINGS: Tomiyasu struggled up against Croatian winger Ivan Perisic 
  • Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results

Takehiro Tomiyasu has labelled his performance in Japan’s defeat against Croatia a ‘disaster’ and admitted that he needs ‘time to forget about football’ following his side’s World Cup exit.

In an open and honest interview, the Arsenal defender also said that he ‘cannot be proud’ of Japan’s achievements at the World Cup despite their shock victories against Germany and Spain in the group stages.

The Japan right-back made his first start of the World Cup in a game where his side took a first-half lead courtesy of Daizen Maeda.

But the heroic underdogs were sent crashing out after Ivan Perisic levelled early in the second half before Japan put on a dismal display in a penalty shootout, missing three of their four spot kicks.

Takehiro Tomiyasu says that he ‘cannot be proud’ of Japan’s achievements at the World Cup

The Japan players were distraught after missing three of their four penalties against Croatia 

The Spurs man had also taken advantage of an early mistake from his north London counterpart and would have opened the scoring had it not been for goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda. 

Tomiyasu’s frustration was more than evident despite Japan causing two huge World Cup upsets with 2-1 victories over both Germany and Spain in the group stages, either side of a 1-0 loss to Costa Rica.

‘Of course, we are so disappointed with the result,’ Tomiyasu said. ‘My performance was a disaster today so I am sorry for the team.

‘I just need to be much, much better to help the team. It was not enough and also for the team, we did not deserve to win.’

The Japanese right-back said that his side were ‘so close’ to achieving their aim but they did not ‘deserve’ to beat a Croatian side who were better, The Athletic reports.

‘I can’t be proud,’ he added. ‘I am not satisfied about what happened. This is football and we need to be much, much better to win against a stronger team.’ 

Tomiyasu will have to put Japan’s heartbreaking exit to the back of his mind as he prepares to return to Arsenal and join up with the league leaders.

It was a dream start for Japan who took the lead just before half-time against Croatia

Japan players applaud their own supporters in Qatar following their World Cup elimination

But the 24-year-old has cast doubt over whether he will join up with the Gunners during a training programme in Dubai before the Premier League returns on Boxing Day.

Asked whether he will go to UAE city, Tomiyasu said: ‘I don’t know. Hopefully, I can get a bit of rest. I need time to forget about football. I need a bit of time.’

The Arsenal man has had a difficult time this season with injuries and struggling to establish a place in Mikel Arteta’s starting line-up  – making just four starts in the Premier League.

The Arsenal defender wants time to forget about football before the Premier League resumes

Tomiyasu has endured a tough season to date, and has struggled with injuries at Arsenal

After being brought on for the final 20 minutes, Tomiyasu limped off just 15 minutes later during Arsenal’s 1-0 win over FC Zurich at the start of November.

Gunners fans were delighted to see him picked for the World Cup, meaning Arteta should have him back at his disposal for the second half of the season.

The Spanish head coach has often opted to use Ben White as a right-back this season, although the England defender flew home from the World Cup on Wednesday over a personal matter. 

As reported by ESPN, White also won’t be among the initial travelling group amongst the Arsenal squad to Dubai on Sunday and it’s unclear whether he will join up with them on a later date.




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