Kaoru Mitoma is ready to fulfil his World Cup dream

Despite being selected on Tuesday to Japan's 26-man team, the 25-year-old initially worried that his World Cup dream may be dashed before it even got started. On October 14, just moments after joining an English Premier League game in the 46th minute, he injured his right ankle. Despite this, he persevered until the end of the game. When Japan settled for fourth place at the Tokyo Olympics last year, despite having great expectations for a medal at home, Mitoma wasn't totally well.

But this time, the former Kawasaki Frontale player quickly returned to action on Saturday at home against Chelsea, marking his first league start with an assist. Mitoma made his Japan debut in November of last year, and his late brace against Australia in March helped the nation qualify for the World Cup.