Crystal Palace star Daichi Kamada enjoyed an impressive World Cup campaign despite Brazil knocking Japan out in the Round of 32.
The former Lazio midfielder netted two goals in four games for Japan – both of which he knew very little about.
Kamada earned a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in Group F after the ball bounced off his head and flew past Brighton glovesman Bart Verbruggen.
The Crystal Palace No.18 then put Japan 1-0 up just four minutes into the 4-0 win over Tunisia with another accidental effort, as a cross from Keito Nakamura hit his trailing leg and rolled into the net.
As a result, Kamada sits top of the ‘conversion rate’ metric with a truly unique score of 200% – netting twice despite only recording one shot during the World Cup.
Would Oliver Glasner ruin his Crystal Palace legacy by moving to Nottingham Forest? 🤔
Daichi Kamada makes a piece of World Cup history
To our knowledge, no player has ever left the World Cup with a chance conversion rate of 200%.
It should be impossible, but considering FIFA have taken into account the fact Kamada – who is now feeling fatigued – was oblivious about his late equaliser against the Netherlands and his goal against Tunisia, the bizarre statistic stands.
The 29-year-old did not even register a shot on target for Japan at the World Cup, with his one recorded attempt at goal going down as a shot off target.
| Rank | Player | Nation | Pos | Assists | Attempts on Target | Attempts at Goal | Attempts at Goal Conv. Rate (%) | Attempts Inside Penalty Area | Attempts Outside Penalty Area | Headed Attempts at Goal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daichi Kamada | JPN | MF | 0 | 0 | 1 | 200 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | Hassan Alhaydos | QAT | FW | 0 | 1 | 1 | 100 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Kaan Ayhan | TUR | MF | 0 | 1 | 1 | 100 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Ante Budimir | CRO | FW | 0 | 1 | 1 | 100 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Mateo Chavez | MEX | DF | 0 | 1 | 1 | 100 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Issa Diop | MAR | DF | 0 | 1 | 1 | 100 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2 | Álvaro Fidalgo | MEX | MF | 0 | 1 | 1 | 100 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Joao Neves | POR | MF | 0 | 1 | 1 | 100 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2 | Giovani Lo Celso | ARG | MF | 0 | 1 | 1 | 100 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | Derrick Luckassen | GHA | DF | 0 | 1 | 1 | 100 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Petar Musa | CRO | FW | 0 | 1 | 1 | 100 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
It is a highly odd development, one we doubt will ever happen again at a World Cup, or any footballing competition for that matter.
Daichi Kamada makes himself crystal-clear over future plans
The former Eintracht Frankfurt star is now technically a free agent after his contract with Crystal Palace expired on June 30th.
Some fans are worried Kamada may follow Oliver Glasner to Nottingham Forest – although the Japan international has firmly pledged his allegiance to the UEFA Conference League winners.
Speaking after Japan suffered that 2-1 loss against Brazil in the Round of 32, the man born in Ehime told Soccer Digest Web: “I want to stay in the Premier League. I want to stay at Palace.
“When you consider that I can play in the Premier League, play in a European league, play in London, and have my family in a familiar environment, there aren’t many clubs better than Palace.”
Having endured a difficult start to life at Crystal Palace after arriving in July 2024, there is no doubt that the Japanese maestro is now a firm fan favourite at Selhurst Park.
