Manchester United star Shinji Kagawa has vowed to step up to the plate for Japan at this month's Confederations Cup as the Blue Samurai try to overcome recent unconvincing form.
"At Manchester, and at Dortmund before that, I'm surrounded by great players who make it easy for me to play," said the midfielder, who scored six goals in 20 English Premier League matches after moving from the German side.
With all his technique and creativity, he stopped short of his target of scoring 10 goals or more for the Red Devils, although he did miss almost two months with a left-knee injury. He still dazzled with a hat-trick against Norwich City in March.
"But here, I feel like I need to play a bigger role and step it up," the 24-year-old said of Japan after they booked their fifth straight ticket to the World Cup with a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Australia at home on Tuesday.
"I haven't done the job yet with the national team. I've got to be more responsible," he added, according to Kyodo news agency. "These are some of the things I need to keep in mind throughout the year ahead, starting at the Confederations Cup."
Japan are bunched with hosts and five-time World Cup champions Brazil, four-time winners Italy and Olympic gold medallists Mexico in Group A at the tournament in Brazil, opening on June 15.
Kagawa has scored just three goals for Japan in the past year, including two in the final World Cup qualifying round and another in a surprise 1-0 friendly win away to France last October.
CSKA Moscow dynamo Keisuke Honda has scored six goals for the country in the meantime, five in qualifiers, playing in central midfield and pushing Kagawa to the left side of the coveted position behind the lone striker.
Alberto Zaccheroni's Blue Samurai, known for tight teamwork but also the lack of finishing power, have struggled in three recent matches, losing to Jordan 2-1 away in a qualifier in March and 2-0 to Bulgaria in a home friendly last week.
"In Japan, we worry too much about what the other thinks. At Manchester, everyone plays for himself and does what he wants but it works out in the end," Kagawa said.
Kagawa said he would approach next season with confidence as David Moyes takes over from Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager.
"I need to be more assertive in my second season at Manchester United and if I can be an important part of the club, it will only be a plus for the national team," he said.
Fergusson said in April that Kagawa was "doing very well for us now. He has fantastic composure on the ball and his decision-making is good."
Kagawa revelled in the English Premiership championship after lifting back-to-back Bundesliga titles following his move from J-League side Cerezo Osaka in mid-2010.
He was only a non-playing support member of the Blue Samurai squad when they reached the last-16 at the World Cup in South Africa but he contributed to Japan's march to a record fourth Asian Cup title in 2011.
"I wish he will stay hungry without getting full and aim for many more titles," said Japan coach Zaccheroni.
Source: AFP
