Wataru Endo has spent 2,448 minutes on the pitch for VfB in the Bundesliga this season – more than any other player in the squad. “The task is to stay in the Bundesliga,” declared the 29-year-old.
VfB collected another point towards that target with a draw at Arminia Bielefeld last Saturday. “We had the chances to win it,” said Endo, adding: “I am a bit disappointed about the result, but we’re staying positive and will try to win the next game.”
That’s on Friday evening, when VfB host Borussia Dortmund at what’s expected to be a sold-out Mercedes-Benz Arena (kick-off 20:30 CEST). “It’s going to be a difficult match but we can also expect a great atmosphere,” commented Endo.
The battle for survival is the immediate goal for the midfielder and his teammates, but another challenge is on the cards for Endo at the end of the year with the Japanese national team at the World Cup, where their group opponents include Germany. “I want to come up against the best teams in the world at the World Cup and Germany are without doubt one of them,” he said. “With Spain in there too, it’s a hard group for us. I’m looking forward to the games.”