Ritsu Doan believes the intimate knowledge he and his fellow Germany-based teammates have about their first World Cup opponent gives Japan more than a puncher's chance at taking a shock victory in Qatar on Wednesday.
Speaking to the media after a session at the team's training base in the Doha suburb of Al Sadd on Saturday, Doan was quick to heap praise on Germany's formidable Bayern Munich-heavy lineup but guaranteed Japan will not take a backward step against the four-time world champions.
"On the German national team there are many players from Bayern and we play against Bayern so I know the individual quality of them," said Doan, whose club Freiburg suffered a 5-0 defeat earlier this season to the winners of the last 10 consecutive Bundesliga titles.
"Of course, everyone knows they are good, crazy (good) players, but I think we should play with confidence and believe in ourselves and let's see (the outcome) after the game."
The bleach-blonde 24-year-old has garnered a range of experience and contacts in Europe since departing Gamba Osaka, with him making stops at two teams in each of the Bundesliga and Dutch Eredivisie. Two of his Freiburg teammates are on this German World Cup squad.
When asked whether he has had any contact with either Matthias Ginter or Christian Gunter, he was quick to say "we are not friends anymore, until the new year" when the league returns from the World Cup and winter break.
"I don't contact them when I am in Doha. I spoke with them before I left Germany. Now, of course, I am very happy to play against them...so I give everything for my country," he said.
Doan did acknowledge, however, that familiarity goes both ways.
"I think Germany know our potential with individual players because many (of our) players are in the Bundesliga."
Asked about his midfield running mate and fellow Bundesliga player, Daichi Kamada, Doan said he is an important piece for the Samurai Blue but that no one man can be a difference-maker.
"Everyone is important for us, everyone has to give 100 percent," he stressed.
If Japan can get a win over Germany, or even a draw, their chances of advancing through the tournament improve significantly. Doan believes they can do it.
"We have many good players, we have so much potential in my opinion," he said. "We are a big chance to go to the round of 16."
