Kagawa makes case in Guatemala win
The playmaker was given a good run out for the national team on Friday night though, as the Samurai Blue defeated Guatemala 3-0 in Osaka.
“The football we play with Japan is different to that at my club, and there are different things demanded of me here so I feel a strong sense of responsibility—to create goals and to ensure we get results,” Kagawa told reporters after the routine friendly win. “There’s a slight difference with what is expected of me in that sense. For Japan, I am asked to get higher up the pitch than with United.
“Personally, I want to be the one getting through on goal and taking shots, and I am a bit disappointed that I wasn’t really able to do that today and didn’t score any goals myself.”
Moyes has refuted claims that Kagawa doesn’t fit into his plans for the Red Devils, insisting that the former Borussia Dortmund star’s endeavors at June’s Confederations Cup and his subsequent late arrival for United’s pre-season training camp have left him a little behind his teammates in terms of match-readiness.
Kagawa started in his preferred role as the shadow striker against the Guatemalans and completed 75 minutes, however, and he is confident that more action in Tuesday’s match against Ghana in Yokohama will further improve his condition.
“My general feeling is that [my fitness] is not too bad,” he said. “And we still have one more game to come against Ghana—a stronger opponent [than Guatemala].”
Kagawa is also hopeful that his opportunity will come soon, and concurs with Moyes’ assertion that the two have not really had enough time to get to know each other yet.
“It’s very early to say [what I think of Moyes],” he said. “I think after I get back I will start to get a feel for the new manager.”
