Captain Wataru Endo says Japan has high World Cup expectations as fans watch Nashville practice

NASHVILLE (TENNESSEE: USA) Wataru Endo made clear Monday night that Japan has very high expectations for the World Cup.

“We will do our best with pride and passion to achieve something that we’ve never seen before in Japan’s soccer history,” Japan’s captain said.

The Liverpool defensive midfielder and his teammates spent nearly an hour at an open practice jogging around the pitch at GEODIS Park, home of Major League Soccer’s Nashville club, after arriving earlier Monday. Nashville is home before Japan opens the World Cup on Sunday against the Netherlands in Arlington, Texas, in Group F.