Wataru Endo Shines for Japan in World Cup Qualifying Victory
Wataru Endo, the Liverpool midfielder, showcased his talent and leadership skills as he captained Japan to a resounding 7-0 victory over China in World Cup qualifying. Despite playing just one minute of Premier League football this season, Endo remains an integral part of Japan’s national team, wearing the captain’s armband since June 2023.
Endo’s impact was immediate in Japan’s first game of the September international break. After just 12 minutes, he headed the ball into the back of the net from a Japan corner, opening the scoring for his team. Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma added a second goal before half-time, while former Liverpool attacker Takumi Minamino scored a quickfire brace to double Japan’s advantage. Junya Ito, Daizen Maeda, and Takefusa Kubo also found the net, completing the thrashing of China.
Endo’s performance was commendable, even though he was substituted in the 71st minute. According to FotMob, he won three of his six duels and completed 84 percent of his passes. His contributions on the field demonstrated his ability to control the game and make a positive impact.
Japan’s victory marked their opening game of World Cup qualifying, and they will face Bahrain next on September 10. However, the real challenge awaits Japan in the October international break when they take on Saudi Arabia and Australia. Only the top two teams from Japan’s group will qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup, while the third-placed team will have to participate in intercontinental playoffs.
As Endo looks ahead to the upcoming matches, he will be hoping for more playing time at Liverpool. Although he has played just one minute in the Premier League this season, Liverpool manager Arne Slot has made it clear that Endo is still in his plans. With games coming up thick and fast after the September international break, Endo’s presence will undoubtedly be crucial for Liverpool.
In addition to Endo’s impressive performance, two Liverpool youngsters, Trey Nyoni and Carter Pinnington, started in England U18s’ 2-2 draw with Portugal. Nyoni scored England’s second goal, while Pinnington played a role in the buildup to the team’s opening goal. The international itinerary also includes Liverpool quartet Conor Bradley, Diogo Jota, Andy Robertson, and Alexis Mac Allister, who will be in action for their respective national teams on Thursday night.
Overall, Wataru Endo’s outstanding display for Japan in their World Cup qualifying victory highlights his importance to both his national team and Liverpool. Despite limited playing time at the club level, Endo continues to showcase his leadership skills and technical ability on the international stage. As Liverpool faces a challenging period with a busy fixture schedule, Endo’s contributions will be vital in helping the team achieve success.