Nakamura Keito Regrets Conservative Play Against Brazil, Avoids Watching World Cup After Return

Japanese national team midfielder Keito Nakamura, in an interview on TV Asahi's 'News Station,' reflected on his standout performance at the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He described his goal against the Netherlands as the best of his life, executed exactly as planned. Nakamura emphasized the importance of playing instinctively and unaffected by external factors, which he credited for his success against the Netherlands and Tunisia. However, he admitted he has not watched any World Cup matches since returning to Japan, unable to shake hypothetical regrets about the knockout round loss to Brazil. He specifically regretted a moment early in the second half when, with Japan leading 1-0, he chose to pass instead of dribbling past a defender in a one-on-one situation. Nakamura stated that hesitation and conservative thinking betrayed his instinctive style, and he believes he should have been more aggressive. The interview reveals his deep emotional struggle with the team's early exit.