DOHA, Qatar — Ao Tanaka can be assured of his place in Japanese football folklore.
That much was certain from the moment the midfielder bundled the ball over the line at Khalifa International Stadium on Thursday, which proved to be the decider for Japan in a stunning come-from-behind 2-1 win over Spain that sealed their place in the round of 16 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Wild scenes of celebration ensued, both in the immediate aftermath of the goal and then again after a Video Assistant Referee check confirmed it would stand, as well as at the final whistle when the Samurai Blue’s progress to the knockout round for a second consecutive World Cup was confirmed — where they will now meet Croatia on Monday evening at Al Janoub Stadium.
The passion overflowed into the stands with some fans delirious in delight, while others were simply rooted to the ground sobbing away — either in relief or disbelief.
All around, iconic images that should live long in the memory. So why has it already faded away for the man who scored the goal that made all of this happen?
“All of us (in the team) have forgotten everything (about that win),” said a focused Tanaka, when asked by ESPN after Japan’s training session on Saturday if he was still reliving that moment two days on.
“Of course, we were so happy to win that last game, as well as the one against Germany (in their Group E opener), but we don’t care about that anymore.
