Sportiva presents another installment of the “Soccer Incident Files” series, revisiting popular articles from the past. Today’s feature is the seventh chapter of “The Truth Behind Japanese Soccer Incidents,” focusing on the veteran goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi, who was called up as the unused third goalkeeper for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
The Japanese national soccer team has experienced rapid growth over the past three decades. Today’s squad can compete confidently against World Cup winners like Brazil, Germany, and Spain, with players and coaches openly aiming for world supremacy. However, this success is built on a foundation of history. In this series, living witnesses of Japanese soccer history share behind-the-scenes stories and revelations they can now disclose. The eighth installment revisits the veteran goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi, who was selected for the South Africa World Cup squad despite not being fully recovered from injury (originally published on July 1, 2018).
At that time, Kawaguchi’s chances of making the roster seemed hopeless. His injury had not healed completely, and many believed he would be left out. Then, suddenly, his phone rang. It was the call that changed everything—a summons to join the team as the third goalkeeper, a role that often sees no playing time but carries immense emotional and tactical weight.
Kawaguchi’s unexpected selection surprised many, but his experience and leadership proved invaluable behind the scenes. This story is a testament to the unpredictability of soccer and the resilience of a veteran player who never gave up hope.