Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni on Tuesday said he wants his players to show what they can do for the national team when the Samurai Blue play New Zealand in a Kirin Challenge Cup friendly match on Wednesday night at the National Stadium.
　Japan will be without captain and midfielder Hasebe Makoto of Nurnberg, defender Uchida Atsuto of Shalke and forward Kakitani Yoichiro of Cerezo Osaka due to injury/ health problems, but Zaccheroni says their absence is an opportunity for other players.
　“If someone isn’t available tomorrow, then someone else will get a chance to play instead,” he said. “I am looking forward to seeing how much those who come into the team in their place tomorrow can do for us.
　“Obviously we cannot have all the players from this squad at the World Cup, so I want them to show me how well they fit into our national team. I also expect them to develop their game after this match.”
　The Italian coach said the major objectives of Wednesday’s friendly will be for his players to remember how to play for the national team and to check on their individual physical fitness.
　Cerezo midfielder Yamaguchi Hotaru said, “I want to use what I’ve worked on with the team up to now and get used to being with whoever I play alongside. It is important for me to play for the team’s victory rather than thinking about making an impression myself.”
　Southampton defender Yoshida Maya said, “I know we have some points to double check in defense and offense, but I want us to make sure we win tomorrow and are able to move on to prepare well for the World Cup. Whoever is in the starting lineup tomorrow, as long as everyone does well, then we can get a good result.”
　Japan have played New Zealand twice before, losing 1-0 in 1981 and beating them 3-0 in 2003.
New Zealand played in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa but failed to reach the finals for this year’s tournament in Brazil after losing to Mexico in a playoff.
　New Zealand coach Neil Emblen said his side has been rejuvenated after the World Cup qualifiers and has brought in some younger players to give them playing opportunities.
　“We are looking to show a brave, possession-based brand of football,” he said. “We are playing against a top-class team, so we need to contain Japan and all the quality they bring forward as well as we can. I hope we can be really competitive and give you guys a good game tomorrow.”
　The Japan-New Zealand match was initially scheduled for March 2011 but was postponed following the East Japan earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan.
　“I remember that,” said Zaccheroni. “I hope we can have a good game not only for those who come to the stadium, but also those who will watch it on television in both countries.”
　Some of the revenues of Wednesday’s friendly will be donated to the New Zealand Football Federation as well as victims of the East Japan earthquake.
　“This is more than a football game,” Emblen said. “This is a great concept and we feel great to be a part of it and are very proud of doing that.”
　The match will be the last Japan game to be staged at the National Stadium before it is renovated.