World Cup: Japan in high spirits after first training session at World Cup base

Confidence was high among the Japan national team as they held their first training session at their World Cup camp in the southwestern Russian city of Kazan on Thursday.While experts have given the Samurai Blue long odds of advancing from a tough group containing Colombia, Senegal and Poland, the team is confident it can reach the knockout stage for the first time since 2010, according to defender Maya Yoshida."We've never lacked confidence. Myself or the team," the Southampton center back said. "(Predictions) can change quickly. If we win our first game, then things look a lot different."…READ FULL ARTICLE