SINGAPORE - The Internet can be divided about many things. In 2015, there was a viral debate about whether a dress was blue and black, or white and gold.
The latest incident to polarise opinions happened at the World Cup Group E decider between Japan and Spain, when Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma pulled the ball back for Ao Tanaka to score the winner on Thursday.
Tanaka’s goal gave Japan a surprising 2-1 over 2010 champions Spain. But more significantly, the result knocked four-time winners Germany out of Qatar 2022.
In the 24 hours since, football fans the world over have pored over photos and replays of Mitoma’s actions, with many divided over whether the ball had remained in play when he sent it to Tanaka.
Who is this 25-year-old at the heart of the argument?
1. He once rejected professional football
Born in Kanagawa prefecture, which borders Tokyo to the north, to a father who was a former track and field athlete and a mother who played volleyball, Mitoma joined Kawasaki Frontale’s Under-10 team as a boy.
But after rising through the ranks and earning a promotion from the U-18s to the senior team, he turned down the offer and joined the University of Tsukuba instead.
Admitting that he was not confident of breaking it into the first team, he opted to pursue a major in physical education while representing his college team in the semi-professional leagues.
He told The Straits Times: “At the time, I had not decided if I was going to make football a professional career.
“So, I wanted to go to a place where I could gain an education and at the same time also get more playing time and at a high level, which is offered by Japan’s University leagues. This way, by the end of my studies, I would be able to have a choice (on my future).”
2. Exploding into life in the J.League
Mitoma’s decision proved the right one as he made an instant impact in the J.League with Kawasaki, who did not give up on him.
In his debut season, he notched 18 goals and 14 assists across 37 games in 2020 to help his team win the J1 League and Emperor’s Cup double, and followed up with 12 goals and six assists in the following season.
3. Easing into England
Only 11 Japanese footballers have played in the English Premier League, a far smaller number than in other European leagues such as the German Bundesliga. Even fewer left a lasting impression.
This has been attributed to the more physical environment, which does not suit the Asian physique.
But the 1.78m, 66kg Mitoma was neither afraid nor incapable of bucking the trend. Signing for Brighton in 2021, he spent his first year on loan at Belgium’s Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, contributing eight goals and four assists in 29 games.
He returned to his parent club for the 2022-23 term and has taken to the English Premier League like fish to water, grabbing two goals and one assist in 11 games. His goals helped the Seagulls beat Wolves 3-2 in the league and knock Arsenal out of the League Cup with a 3-1 win.
4. International super-sub
Before he made his senior international debut, Mitoma played at the 2020 Olympics held on home soil in 2021. He was called off the bench three times, and scored in his final appearance in the 3-1 defeat by Mexico in the play-off for the bronze medal.
He received his first senior cap, as a substitute, in the 1-0 World Cup qualifier win over Oman in November 2021. His first senior international goals were also as a sub. Remarkably, he was introduced in the 86th minute in a World Cup qualifier against Australia in March 2022 and scored a match-winning brace.
At the ongoing World Cup, he has also relished his role as a super-sub, coming on in the second half in all three group games.
In just 45 minutes against Spain, he created three chances, the most of any player in Japan’s shock win that sealed their round of 16 qualification from a tough Group E that featured Germany and Costa Rica.
5. Sorry, he’s taken
Mitoma got married in July 2022. While he did not reveal his wife’s identity, he posted on Instagram: “I entered (marriage) with someone I’ve been dating since college. I want to build a happy and bright home with my girlfriend who has always been there for me.”
Awwwww.
