NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Japan captain Ko Itakura appeared unconcerned Monday about who the Samurai Blue could face should they reach the World Cup knockout stage, with teammates Daizen Maeda and Kaishu Sano firmly focused on their final Group F match against Sweden.
Handed the captain's armband just three days before their opening match following the shock departure of Wataru Endo, Itakura was kept on the bench for the 2-2 draw with the Netherlands but had a commanding outing in their 4-0 hammering of Tunisia on Saturday.
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