What Is 2017 Japan national football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 Japan national football team represented Japan in international matches during 2017 under head coach Vahid Halilhodžić. They competed in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification and the 2017 EAFF E-1 Football Championship, finishing with a 5-2-2 record. Key players included Shinji Kagawa, Keisuke Honda, and Yuya Osako.

Key Facts

Japan played 9 official matches in 2017, winning 5, drawing 2, and losing 2
The team qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in October 2017 after finishing second in AFC Group B
Vahid Halilhodžić was head coach from March 2015 until March 2018, overseeing the 2017 campaign
Japan won the 2017 EAFF E-1 Football Championship, defeating North Korea 4–1 in the final
Yuya Osako scored 5 goals in 2017, becoming the team’s top scorer for the year

Overview

The 2017 Japan national football team competed under head coach Vahid Halilhodžić during a pivotal year for World Cup qualification. The team represented Japan in international fixtures, primarily focusing on securing a spot in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Japan finished second in their AFC qualification group behind Australia, earning automatic qualification in October 2017. Alongside World Cup qualifiers, the squad also participated in the 2017 EAFF E-1 Football Championship, where they claimed regional dominance.

World Cup Qualification: Japan played 10 total qualifiers across 2016–2017, securing their 2018 World Cup berth with a 1–0 win over Australia on October 10, 2017.
EAFF E-1 Championship: Japan won the 2017 EAFF E-1 Football Championship, defeating North Korea 4–1 in the final to claim their fourth regional title.
Head Coach: Vahid Halilhodžić managed the team throughout 2017, implementing a possession-based style while rotating squad members ahead of the World Cup.
Key Players: Midfielder Shinji Kagawa and forward Yuya Osako were instrumental, with Osako scoring 5 goals in seven appearances.
Home Stadium: Japan played home qualifiers at Saitama Stadium 2002, including a 2–0 victory over Saudi Arabia in August 2017.

Performance & Squad Details

The 2017 campaign featured a balanced mix of experienced veterans and emerging talent, with Halilhodžić testing various formations ahead of the World Cup. Tactical flexibility and squad depth were emphasized during both qualifiers and regional tournaments.

Formation: Japan frequently used a 4-2-3-1 setup, relying on Kagawa’s creativity behind the striker and full-back overlaps for width.
Defensive Record: The team conceded just 6 goals in 10 World Cup qualifiers, showcasing one of Asia’s most disciplined backlines.
Midfield Rotation: Players like Gaku Shibasaki and Genki Haraguchi were rotated in to maintain freshness across congested fixtures.
Goalkeeping:Eiji Kawashima remained first choice, appearing in 6 matches, while Shuichi Gonda provided reliable backup.
Youth Integration: Defender Takehiro Tomiyasu earned his first cap in 2017, signaling a shift toward younger defenders.
Forward Options: Despite Keisuke Honda’s reduced role, Osamu Suzuki and Takuma Asano offered pace and pressing from the wings.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of Japan’s 2017 performance across major competitions highlights consistency in defense and improvement in attack.

Tournament	Matches Played	Wins	Goals For	Goals Against
World Cup Qualifiers	8	4	11	4
EAFF E-1 Championship	3	3	9	3
Friendly Matches	2	0	1	3
Total (2017)	13	7	21	10
2016 Comparison	10	5	14	5

Japan showed improved efficiency in 2017 compared to 2016, particularly in the EAFF tournament where they outscored opponents 9–3. The qualification campaign was more cautious, reflecting the higher stakes of World Cup football. Friendly losses to Belgium and Serbia exposed gaps against elite European sides, but overall, the team remained dominant within Asia.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season laid the foundation for Japan’s 2018 World Cup appearance and signaled a transitional phase in squad development. Success in qualification and regional tournaments reinforced Japan’s status as a top-tier Asian football nation.

World Cup Preparation: The year served as a critical testing ground, with Halilhodžić evaluating over 30 players for Russia 2018.
Tactical Evolution: Japan moved toward a more dynamic, pressing style, departing from rigid positional play seen in previous cycles.
Youth Development: Call-ups for Tomiyasu and Reo Hatate reflected a long-term investment in younger talent.
Regional Dominance: Winning the EAFF Championship reaffirmed Japan’s superiority over rivals like South Korea and China.
Global Perception: Competitive performances boosted Japan’s FIFA ranking, peaking at 42nd in late 2017.
Coaching Legacy: Despite being dismissed in 2018, Halilhodžić’s work in 2017 ensured Japan reached the World Cup for the sixth consecutive time.

The 2017 Japan national team bridged experience and renewal, achieving key objectives while setting the stage for future international campaigns. Their balanced results and strategic squad management underscored a disciplined, forward-looking football program.