Former Arsenal defender Tomiyasu feels Japan 'responsibility' at World Cup

[p]The 27-year-old last played for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/japan/ULXPdOUj/"]Japan[/a] two years ago and was without a club for six months after leaving [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/arsenal/hA1Zm19f/"]Arsenal[/a] in July last year to focus on his rehabilitation.[/p][p]He signed for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ajax/8UOvIwnb/"]Ajax[/a] in January but was forced to pull out of Japan's squad for friendlies in March after more physical problems.[/p][p]Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu still named him in his 26-man squad for the World Cup starting next month and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/tomiyasu-takehiro/OSNvjZSP/"]Tomiyasu[/a] is determined to seize his chance.[/p][p][b]"I feel a sense of responsibility because I was picked for the squad even in these circumstances,"[/b] he told reporters after training with the team.[/p][p][b]"I want to repay that faith with my performances on the pitch."[/b][/p][embed guid="4828aea7-89ad-4ecd-875d-1fab6e2a3d40" url="https://x.com/afcstuff/status/2055578831935660135?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]Japan have been drawn with the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/netherlands/WYintcWb/"]Netherlands[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/sweden/OQyqbHWB/"]Sweden[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/tunisia/QqZVYk95/"]Tunisia[/a] in Group F and play the Dutch in their opener in Dallas on June 14th.[/p][p]Tomiyasu will be pushing for a starting place as Japan look to advance past the last 16 for the first time.[/p][p]He said his return to the team had been "a long road".[/p][p][b]"A lot has happened on the way to me being picked for this World Cup and I don't want to forget that and use it in a good way," [/b]he said.[/p][p][b]"I want to keep in mind that I can't take being here for granted."[/b][/p][embed guid="3af28707-dae3-49d4-87fd-e84c2103ff27" url="https://x.com/JapaneseFbl/status/2059291795855413475?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]Tomiyasu has 42 caps and played at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Japan stunned [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/germany/ptQide1O/"]Germany[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/spain/bLyo6mco/"]Spain[/a] before losing on penalties to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/croatia/K8aznggo/"]Croatia[/a] in the last 16.[/p][p]He said he wanted to make sure he enjoyed this year's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.[/p][p]"To be honest, I didn't feel that way last time when it was all over," he said.[/p][p][b]"I think I was too self-conscious, and this time I want to say something if something needs to be said, and go into the tournament without overthinking anything."[/b][/p]