Two days before their third game in the final Asian qualifier for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) practiced in Saitama Prefecture on 4 October. The squad now had the entire 25 members with forwards HONDA Keisuke (AC Milan/Italy) and OKAZAKI Shinji (Leicester City Football Club/England) joining the team.

Arriving in Japan on the previous night, Okazaki and defenders, SAKAI Hiroki (Olympique de Marseille/France) and YOSHIDA Maya (Southampton FC/England), warmed up in the morning and then participated in the evening team practice. They went through a training session, which included running and stretching, along with other members. Meanwhile, Honda and defender NAGATOMO Yuto (FC Internazionale Milano/Italy) just landed back in the country in the morning and worked out separately going through light regimen.

The practice was open to the media for the first 15 minutes. The team worked on their offensive tactics afterwards.

In the final qualifiers which began last month, Japan are now standing at third place behind Australia and Saudi Arabia in Group B with one win and one loss after two matches.

Honda commented ahead of the must-win match against Iran, “getting back our confidence is the first thing we need to do. We shall not get passive and feel pressured in a negative way. We have analysed our opponents and have some images to capitalise on our strengths”. Occasion to play at his club has been limited, however he insisted that he had gone through similar situations before. “Your daily training will give you all the confidence you need. I'm excited that I will play in the game for the first time in a while. Hopefully, I will remove any concerns by coming up with positive results”, he added.

Meanwhile, Iraq, facing Japan in their third final-qualifier game, are looking for the first World Cup berth since 1986. Yet, they lost 0-2 to Australia and  fell 1-2 to Saudi Arabia from giving up two goals from penalty kicks late in the game. They are currently in fifth place of the group.

However, in the AFC Asia Cup, Iraq captured a championship in 2007, made the final four last year, and advanced to at least quarter-finals since 1996. They have developed young talented players and won the recent AFC U-16 Championship. Iraq were eliminated in the group stage in this summer's Rio de Janeiro Olympics, but drew 0-0 against the eventual gold-medal winner Brazil.

Iraq have solid defensive players, including goalkeeper HOMAMMED HAMEED, who was the member of the recent Olympics squad, defenders ALI ADNAN KADHIM, who plays for Udinese, and DHURGHAM ISMAEL. 

“Maybe they will let us have the ball and come against us using counter-attacks. We may have to play some mind games”, Nagatomo said.

The Japan-Iraq game will kick off at 19:35 at Saitama Stadium 2002 on Thursday 6 October.

Players' Comments

FW HONDA Keisuke (AC Milan/Italy)
In a very positive sense, I cannot wait to play and come up with favourable results in the games against Iraq and Australia. I am asked to bring positive results to the team, so I want to attain them and remove any concerns. I believe there is more pressure qualifying than playing in the World Cup, and even if that is the case, you need to have the right mind-set and put the pressure aside. The younger players may not be able to take on the pressure of the qualifiers, so it is up to the experienced players to alleviate the mood. Against Iraq, we have analysed our opponents and have some images to capitalise on our strengths. We want to carry them out and win in the end.

DF MORISHIGE Masato (F.C. Tokyo)
It's very important for Japan to win the match and bring back our confidence. Winning the first of the two matches we have this time is a must. When you lose focus, it could cost you a game. Therefore, it is crucial that we need keep our concentration even during practices. By exchanging opinions amongst teammates, we would like to do the best we can.

DF NAGATOMO Yuto (FC Internazionale Milano/Italy)
Playing the full 90 minutes in the Europa League two weeks ago and 30 minutes against Roma past weekend, in addition to going through daily practices, I do not think I have any problems in my conditioning. Despite the fact that certain players have limited playing time in their respective clubs, they are fully capable of getting themselves in form. Our first-game loss was unexpected, but we still have matches to play in the final qualifiers. We would like to shift our focus to winning the remaining games.

GK HIGASHIGUCHI Masaaki (Gamba Osaka)
I felt the pressure after Kawashima returned to the team, and I am confident that his presence will raise the competitiveness and foster mutual growth amongst the goalkeepers. We do not know who will be playing, so I will try to showcase myself from practice. I have to keep working hard and, no matter what the situation might be, I need to prepare myself so I can perform at my best. I think Iraq will try to score from counter-attacks. Their set plays will also be the key.

FW ASANO Takuma (VfB Stuttgart/Germany)
We had some good offensive plays in our previous games in September, and we managed the match fairly well. Now, I need to improve the accuracy of my shots and focus on every single shot during practice, imagining the actual game situations. Amongst our generation, I think the level of football in Iraq is quite high.

In the match, I want to find the space behind the defenders and take shots, in addition to winning the battles for the ball. We have a very good role model, Okazaki, so I want to observe him closely and learn from his plays. Eventually, I want to surpass him and become a starter.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

Schedule

*Local Time
*The schedule is subject to change due to the team condition, the weather, etc.

ASIAN QUALIFIERS - ROAD TO RUSSIA

2016-10-6 (Thu.) - 19:35 (estimate time)
Saitama Stadium 2002
SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) vs Iraq National Team
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2016-10-11 (Tue.) - 20:00 (estimate time) (Japan Time 18:00) 
Docklands Stadium (Melbourne, Australia)
Australia National Team vs SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team)
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