DOHA, Qatar — Japan skipper Wataru Endo believes he’s getting “better and better” with every game at the Asian Cup and is adamant club boss Jürgen Klopp’s recently announced departure from Liverpool won’t affect his efforts to lead the Samurai Blue to continental glory.
Japan cruised through to the quarterfinals of the Asian on Wednesday afternoon, professionally dispatching Bahrain 3-1 thanks to goals from Ritsu Doan, Takefusa Kubo, and Ayase Ueda.
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Endo started and anchored his side’s midfield for the full 90 minutes at the Al Thumama Stadium, making it four Asian Cup games from four in which he has logged a full game for coach Hajime Moriyasu’s side. Fatigue, though, is far from the 30-year-old’s mind.
“My condition is actually getting better and better,” he said after the Bahrain game, speaking through a Japanese Football Association (JFA) translator.
“I think I can even play better in the next game. I am the captain of the team and I think I need to set an example. I need to be the leader of the team.”
In defeating Bahrain, Japan moved into a quarterfinal meeting with Syria or Iran on Feb. 3, ensuring that Endo and the rest of the squad’s Premier League contingent — such as Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu — will miss at least one more matchday of the club campaign. Should they reach the final on Feb. 10, that would render them unavailable for an additional week.
However, the Liverpool midfielder will return to a different Anfield than the one he left, knowing that Klopp will not be his coach next season after the German announced his intention to step down last week.
“It was big news when I heard it,” he said. “I was a bit sad. But to be honest, it doesn’t really affect me, performance wise.
“All I have to do now is concentrate on my performances with the national team and try to win the trophy and bring back the winners’ trophy to Liverpool.”
