Kaoru Mitoma: Who is the rising Brighton star set to dazzle for Japan against Luis Enrique's Spain

Brighton and Hove Albion attacker Kaoru Mitoma is set to play a key role for Japan tonight in their world Cup Group E clash against Spain at the Khalifa International Stadium.
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Spain, Japan, Germany and Costa Rica can all still qualify for the last 16 as Group E reaches a nail-biting conclusion. Luis Enrique's Spain lead the way on four points, having thrashed Costa Rica in the first game and then drawing with a much-improved Germany last time out.

Mitoma and Japan are however well and truly in the mix as they are on three points thanks to a comeback win against the Germans in their opener, followed by a disappointing loss to Costa Rica. Germany, who are bottom with just the one point from the their draw with Spain, need to win against Costa Rica in the other match if they are to have any chance of progressing to the knockout stages.

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Brighton's Mitoma will hope for a starting role against Spain but he may have to settle once again for his role as an impact substitute from the bench.

Niklas Süle of Germany challenges Kaoru Mitoma of Japan during the World Cup Group E at the Khalifa International StadiumNiklas Süle of Germany challenges Kaoru Mitoma of Japan during the World Cup Group E at the Khalifa International Stadium
Niklas Süle of Germany challenges Kaoru Mitoma of Japan during the World Cup Group E at the Khalifa International Stadium

In the 2-1 win against the Germans, Mitoma helped change the course of the match which delivered one of the shocks of the tournament so far. The Albion man's skill and pace made an immediate difference as he replaced Yuto Nagatomo on 57 minutes and saw the Samurai Blue to one of their most important World Cup victories.

It's been an impressive rise for Mitoma this season who has looked good for Brighton in the Premier League. He arrived from Kawasaki Frontale for around £4.5m in August 2021 and was then sent on loan to the Belgian league with Union SG. The 25-year-old was one Union's best players last campaign and there was plenty of optimism around the Brighton camp when he arrived for pre-season.

Albion have also mainly used him as an impact sub but he quickly became a favourite with the fans thanks to impressive displays from the bench in a 3-3 draw against Liverpool and then against Tottenham and Brentford.

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Mitoma was pushing hard for a starting role in Roberto De Zerbi's first team but an ankle injury sustained at Brentford hindered his progress. There were fears he would miss the World Cup but he came back in style as he played a starring role from the start in Albion's 4-1 Premier League win against Chelsea at the Amex. He swiftly backed that up and delivered his best game in an Albion shirt so far as he scored and tormented the Wolves defence in a 3-2 away triumph. He was also on target in the next match at Arsenal in the Carabao Cup, where Albion won 3-1.

Mitoma has an intensity to his lay and his ability to ghost past defenders and pick out the right pass is an impressive quality – and so too is his calmness in front of goal when he gets into scoring positions.

Mitoma is another excellent find from the data driven recruitment team at Brighton and he may just have another major contribution to make on the world stage against the Spanish tonight. Mitoma is the ace up Japan's sleeve – be that from the bench or the start.

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