Japan invoke Samurai spirit for clash against Socceroos
Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 10:08 pm
Japan are banking on their samurai spirit to overcome Australia in Saturday's Asian Cup quarter-final - and predict a 3-0 win.
There will be no shortage of needle in Hanoi with the Japanese desperate to avenge a 3-1 defeat by the Socceroos at the last year's World Cup in Germany.
'We can't lose twice,' Japan defender Yuji Nakazawa told reporters. 'Once is bad enough. We haven't forgotten about that and if it happened again it would be devastating.
'We will be right up for this game because it's Australia. We'll win about 3-0.'
Japan, bidding to win a third successive Asian Cup title, have looked comfortable despite Vietnam's fierce heat and finished top of Group B with seven points.
Nakazawa is wary of the threat posed by English Premier League players such as Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill, who scored two late goals in last year's World Cup clash.
Nine minutes of madness in their opening game in Kaiserslautern left Japan shell-shocked and set the tone for their meek exit from the tournament.
'When the time comes to play Australia this weekend I'm sure a lot of emotions will be there at the start,' said Nakazawa. 'We can't let that happen again.'
Pre-tournament favourites Australia finally found their form by thrashing co-hosts Thailand 4-0 to avoid an embarrassing early elimination.
Japan coach Ivica Osim has attacked the country's hyper-critical media for putting too much pressure on the holders to beat a side of Australia's quality.
The Bosnian had his side practising penalties in Tuesday's training session, ordering players to sprint around the pitch twice as punishment for missing a spot kick.
Goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi, whose superb record of saving penalties helped Japan retain the Asian Cup in China three years ago, made no bones about his feelings.
'We want revenge,' he said. 'They have lots of players from the World Cup here like Kewell and Viduka. It will be a special game.'
There will be no shortage of needle in Hanoi with the Japanese desperate to avenge a 3-1 defeat by the Socceroos at the last year's World Cup in Germany.
'We can't lose twice,' Japan defender Yuji Nakazawa told reporters. 'Once is bad enough. We haven't forgotten about that and if it happened again it would be devastating.
'We will be right up for this game because it's Australia. We'll win about 3-0.'
Japan, bidding to win a third successive Asian Cup title, have looked comfortable despite Vietnam's fierce heat and finished top of Group B with seven points.
Nakazawa is wary of the threat posed by English Premier League players such as Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill, who scored two late goals in last year's World Cup clash.
Nine minutes of madness in their opening game in Kaiserslautern left Japan shell-shocked and set the tone for their meek exit from the tournament.
'When the time comes to play Australia this weekend I'm sure a lot of emotions will be there at the start,' said Nakazawa. 'We can't let that happen again.'
Pre-tournament favourites Australia finally found their form by thrashing co-hosts Thailand 4-0 to avoid an embarrassing early elimination.
Japan coach Ivica Osim has attacked the country's hyper-critical media for putting too much pressure on the holders to beat a side of Australia's quality.
The Bosnian had his side practising penalties in Tuesday's training session, ordering players to sprint around the pitch twice as punishment for missing a spot kick.
Goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi, whose superb record of saving penalties helped Japan retain the Asian Cup in China three years ago, made no bones about his feelings.
'We want revenge,' he said. 'They have lots of players from the World Cup here like Kewell and Viduka. It will be a special game.'
