Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has admitted that he wants time to ‘forget about football’ before rejoining Arsenal after his Japan side were knocked out of the World Cup by Croatia on penalties in the last 16.
Japan impressed in the group stages, beating both Spain and Germany, and took the lead against the experienced Croatian side in the first half, only to be pegged back by Ivan Perisic on the hour mark.
And with the sides unable to be separated in 120 minutes, it was Croatia that came through a poor penalty shoot-out 3-1 winners, with Japan missing three penalties of the four that they took.
Speaking after the game, Japan and Arsenal defender Tomiyasu was quick to highlight his own performance as a reason that his side ultimately came up short.
“Of course, we are so disappointed with the result,” he said. “My performance was a disaster today so I am sorry for the team”.
“I just need to be much, much better to help the team. It was not enough and also for the team, we did not deserve to win.
“I can’t be proud,” he continued. “I am not satisfied about what happened. This is football and we need to be much, much better to win against a stronger team.”
He then went on to cast doubt on joining up with the rest of the Arsenal squad, who are currently in Dubai for a warm weather training camp.
“I don’t know”, he confessed when asked if re-joining his club was his next step.
“Hopefully, I can get a bit of rest. I need time to forget about football. I need a bit of time.”
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