SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) had a training session on Sunday 9 October in Melbourne just two days ahead of their fourth match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final Asian Qualifiers against Australia.

In contrast to the previous day's clear sky, strong winds were blowing and the rain started dropping midway through the session. The team held tactical training behind closed doors except for the first 15 minutes and went through defence and set-pieces. While forward OKAZAKI Shinji (Leicester City Football Club) worked out separately at hotel after picking up ankle strain in the third match against Iraq match on the 6th, other players seemed to be focused even during running and warm-up exercises.

Midfielder YAMAGUCHI Hotaru (Cerezo Osaka), a substitute of the Iraq match who scored a vital decisive goal in added time said, "we are in form. Australia have got height and strung passes as well. It's important for us to show collective defence as a team." Furthermore, he pulled himself together by stating “this coming match will have a significant impact on the final standing of the group. There is a big difference between a win and a draw, and a loss is simply unacceptable".

Midfielder HARAGUCHI Genki (Hertha BSC Berlin), who scored goals in the last two matches including the opening goal in the Iraq match, pointed out that their winning attitude has strengthened the solidarity of the team. He further commented about the Australia match, "they are at a high level in terms of physical strength and skills. It will be a tough match. But they are not the kind of opponents that we can't beat”.

While Japan are in fourth place of the qualifying group with six points after two wins and one loss, Australia started their qualifying campaign with back-to-back wins, beating Iraq 2-0 at home and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 2-0 on the road before picking up an away draw with Saudi Arabia in their third match. And now they are at the top spot in the group with seven points.

With a 21-hour flight from Saudi Arabia, Australia came back to the country on the night of the 8th, half a day after Japan's arrival, and had a light workout in the city in the afternoon on the 9th. In a practice session open to public, the Australian players worked out with running and loosening their body with trunk training. After practice, they were offering autographs and held a photo session for fans visiting the site. The squad members includes forward TOMI JURIC, who scored two goals in the three final qualification matches, and veteran forward TIM CAHILL, who has made 93 international caps, netting a winning goal after four minutes when he came off the bench in their second match against the UAE.

Both teams will have an official training session at the match site on Monday 10 to get ready for a clash scheduled on Tuesday 11 at 8:00 p.m. (6:00 p.m. Japan time).

Players' Comments

MF HARAGUCHI Genki (Hertha BSC Berlin)
This is my first World Cup qualifiers, and the last three matches has been difficult for us. They weren't easy at all. Next match will be difficult as well, but I want to play aiming at getting three points. They are at a high level in terms of physical strength and skills. It will be a tough match. But they are not the kind of opponents that we can't beat. Every single play including one-on-one battles for the ball can change the course of the match, so I will take every one of them seriously and try to win every single one of them. For me, I have scored both in the last two matches, so I simply want to keep up my scoring.

MF YAMAGUCHI Hotaru (Cerezo Osaka)
I have had quite a reaction to the goal I scored in the Iraq match, but now I need to pull myself together. This coming match will have a significant impact on the final standing of the group. There is a big difference between a win and a draw, and a loss is simply unacceptable. Australia got height advantage and they also move the ball well. They can keep passing grounder balls even in power-plays, so we have to defend collectively. It’s important for us to play as one team. Our main focus will be their set-pieces. It will be important for us not to lose the ball, so we want to share that mindset within the team.

GK NISHIKAWA Shusaku (Urawa Red Diamonds)
Australia are high-level, tough team and there is no doubt that they are one of the best in Asia. They can move the ball from the back, and they seem to put aggressive pressure on opposing defenders. We have to make it a rule to have somebody challenge and somebody else cover for it, needless to say that we have to try to win individual battles. We have to cover each other with our collective effort. Both of their full-backs are very offensive, so defending counter-attacks after losing the ball will be one of the keys. If we all can share the game plan of attacking vertically and go behind their defenders, it will create a chance for us. So we want to demonstrate that on the pitch. 

MF NAGAKI Ryota (Kashima Antlers)
We are coming together as one team for the Australia match. The mood inside the team is very good, and the dramatic win in the Iraq match the other night has brought us positive energy. Hopefully we can take this momentum to the Australia match. Australia have many powerful players and also skilled players. I think the role expected out of me is to fight tenaciously for the ball and outrun everybody else for the sake of this team. If I get to play, I want to do those things and try to play strictly for the team. In order to get good results, the mental strength is the most important, I think. This team have that in a sense, so we want to show that on the pitch and play for the win as one united team.

Schedule

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

ASIAN QUALIFIERS - ROAD TO RUSSIA

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)
More information