By Ross KilvingtonEach and every time, however, the Japanese have come unstuck at the very first time of asking. On home soil in 2002, Türkiye broke millions of hearts by winning 1-0.Eight years later, a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay prevented a first ever quarter-final appearance. Yet more heartbreak came in Russia in 2018, as the Blue Samurai somehow threw away a 2-0 lead to eventually suffer a 3-2 defeat to Belgium.Another penalty shootout defeat followed in Qatar. Will this curse ever be lifted?Across all four of those World Cup campaigns, Japan entered armed with an array of mercurial talent, including players such as Junichi Inamoto, Hidetoshi Nakata, Shunsuke Nakamura and Keisuke Honda to name but a few.The one thing that Japan have truly lacked heading into a World Cup campaign, especially in more recent times, is a top-class centre-forward. Someone who has the qualities to change a game on their own. One who can perhaps even challenge for the Golden Boot, were it not for the start made by some of the global games’ biggest superstars in this tournament!In Ayase Ueda, though, the Japanese may well have the final piece of the puzzle that allows the nation to break new ground over the coming weeks.Ueda’s player traits comparison against strikers in similar leaguesThe centre-forward Japan have been waiting forUeda has certainly been a late comer to the party. It wasn’t until 2022 that he made the move to European football. A year later, he found his way to the Eredivisie, joining Feyenoord in a deal worth around £7.5m.Three years later, that fee has proven to be quite the bargain, especially considering Ueda has just enjoyed his most productive season to date for the Dutch side.A tally of 26 goals across 40 matches throughout 2025/26 demonstrated exactly how good Ueda was in the final third at club level, yet it was a display against Brazil in a friendly match that suggested how key he could be for the national side.Ueda’s club level stats this seasonUeda scored the winner in what was a remarkable 3-2 comeback victory – their first over Brazil – before setting his sights on the ultimate prize.“Winning the World Cup is my goal, just like it is for our team. I can’t promise it, but we’re all developing with that as the target, and I think we’re in a position where we can aim for it.” Said the 27-year-old after that match.First of all, Japan have to exorcise the ghosts of previous campaigns by first making it past the first knockout round of the tournament.After two matches in North America, it’s looking good.. The Blue Samurai fought back to seal a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in game one, but it was the clash against Tunisia which saw the team truly express themselves.Ueda was at the forefront of everything positive about the performance, scoring a brace to open up his World Cup account.His first was a wonderful effort from just inside the penalty area that nestled into the far corner, giving Japan a two-goal advantage in the process.Ueda’s second was a delicate header with less than ten minutes remaining, wrapping up a comfortable 4-0 victory for Japan.Throughout the match, Ueda registered five total shots, managed seven touches in the opposition penalty area and won 75% of his aerial duels against the Eagles of Carthage.Ueda’s headline numbers at the World CupIt wasn’t just his goals that were impressive, becoming the first Japanese player to score a brace at the tournament, but his movement off the ball and link-up play too.Hajime Moriyasu typically operates with a 3-4-2-1 system, using Ueda as his lone striker. As such, his ability to make perfectly timed runs into the penalty area, combined with intelligent movement to create space prove just how effective he in leading the line for Japan.At the time of writing, Japan are set to face Sweden in their final Group F fixture, with one point enough to seal runner-up spot behind the Netherlands. A win, however, could see Japan topping the group, yet that would rely on goal difference if the Netherlands win against Tunisia.A top-two finish seals a clash against either Morocco or another clash with Brazil in the last 32, but Japan shouldn’t be afraid of either of those nations.Given Ueda’s fine display in the second group game, the striker will be full of confidence that he can add to his tally at the tournament. While Japan have faltered at the first sign of pressure in previous World Cups, it could be different in North America this summer.Moriyasu has a settled and organised squad that is crammed full of talent ready to make the leap and create history for the Blue Samurai. Watch this space.(Cover image from IMAGO)You can follow every game from the World Cup with FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.Add FotMob as a preferred news source on Google by clicking – here.