Japan's protector Gonda embraces the responsibility

Abu Dhabi: After a decade waiting in the wings, Shuichi Gonda is Japan's number one goalkeeper as they chase a fifth AFC Asian Cup title, and it's an opportunity he is taking with both hands.

For a decade, Gonda has been Japan's goalkeeping nearly man.

He was part of the AFC Asian Cup-winning squad of 2011, and earned a call up to the FIFA World Cup in Brazil three years later, but didn't appear in either tournament as Eji Kawashima held down the position.

Having made his international debut way back in 2010, the 29-year-old had just five caps to his name coming into UAE 2019, but he has made the position his own, making five appearances and producing four successive clean sheets.

His efforts have helped Japan secure a place in the final against Qatar, and Gonda says he has a duty to perform.

"When it comes to protecting the goal, that’s my job," the Sagan Tosu shot-stopper told the-AFC.com.

"I feel a sense of responsibility to do that and think I am doing okay in that regard. The most important thing is that everybody is putting their bodies on the line."

One of Gonda's most telling contributions during the campaign was the close range stop he made to deny Islamic Republic Iran's Sardar Azmoun in the semi-final in Al Ain.

With the score at 0-0, he denied the Iranian front man with an excellent reflex save using his left leg before half-time, with Japan going on to record an emphatic victory with three second half goals.

 


Semi-final Highlights

It was a performance which showed the capabilities of Hajime Moriyasu's side, but not one to completely satisfy its goalkeeper.

"I’m happy. Of course I’m happy we won, but personally I think there are a lot of things I need to reflect upon and so it’s one of those games where I feel happy “but”...," he reflected.

"All of us had the feeling that even though this was a big game we wanted to play our way. Of course, there was the opponent to contend with too, but first of all we came into the game with a strong feeling of doing everything we could.

"The best approach is to think that everything is dependent upon us."

Eight years and three days after watching on from the bench as Tadanari Lee scored in extra time to give Japan their fourth continental title, Gonda is now in a position to help guide them to their fifth.

After a long road, he makes his return to the AFC Asian Cup Final as one of his side's key contributors, but insists nothing has been achieved until the trophy is in Japan's possession.

"All we have done is progressed to the final," he declared.

"We won’t know anything until we take on our opponent. Football starts at 0-0 so we just have to make sure we prepare ourselves properly."


Source: the-afc.com