On Wednesday 5 October, Vahid HALILHODZIC, the coach of SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team), appeared at a press conference at Saitama Stadium 2002 to express his confidence one day before the third game of the final Asian Qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup against Iraq: ‘Japan have the quality to get through the final qualifying round. We’re determined to win tomorrow.’

The final qualifying round started in September. Although Japan suffered a loss at home against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the first match, they won away game in the second match against Thailand, and are currently sitting in third place in Group B. The top two teams will automatically book a place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. As both Australia, who are currently topping the group, and Saudi Arabia in second place have three points at the moment, Japan need to win this game before playing away match against Australia on Tuesday 11 October.

The coach HALILHODZIC is positive; ‘we’re always under pressure in the final Qualifiers, which is a good thing. The players can stay highly motivated because of that.’ He also indicated his expectations for and trust in the players: ‘experienced players can control themselves in this kind of situation. A strong mentality is required in tough conditions.’

In an official training session, which was closed after the first 15 minutes, the team finalised tactics on the pitch that will be used for the coming game.

The midfielder HARAGUCHI Genki, who has played the full 90 minutes in all six of Hertha BSC Berlin’s matches this season, is still on top form. As he scored his first goal in the national team in a friendly against Iraq in June last year he said, imagining attacks against the opponent: ‘I know it’s difficult to get through them with passes or by using the space behind defenders. We need to shake off of our marks. I’d like to perform, and directly contribute to goals.’

Japan played against Iraq in the final Qualifiers in 1994 (draw 2-2) for the USA World Cup and in 2014 (win at home 1-0/win away 1-0) for the Brazil World Cup. The record against Iraq, including these two games, is 6 wins, 3 losses and 2 draws. Japan are stretching their winning streak to six games since the 2000 AFC Asian Cup.

Iraq finished in second place in the previous stage and got through to the final Qualifiers. As they suffered two losses in September – one to Australia 2-0 and the other to Saudi Arabia 2-1, and are currently sitting in fifth place, the team replaced half the players; 13 out of the 21 players are under 23 years old, and have experience at the Olympics. The team arrived in Japan on 3 October after holding training camps at home and in Malaysia.

RADHI SWADI, the coach of Iraq National Team, who led the team to the semi-finals of the AFC Asian Cup last year, commented confidently: ‘we’re here to win. We still have an opportunity to get through the qualifying round and tomorrow is our chance. We have analysed Japanese strengths and weaknesses.’

The forward OKAZAKI Shinji (Leicester City) commented strongly: ‘we have built up positive momentum by beating Thailand. It’s vital to change the strength and speed of attacks. The Japan National Team just do what we need to do under all conditions. We need nothing but a victory.’

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

Coaches' and Players' Comments

Vahid HALILHODZIC, Coach of SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team)
We must do everything to win. Although the players’ condition is still not stable, and they have yet to reach their top performance in the coming game, they are highly motivated, and are very keen to be on the pitch. When we’re under difficult circumstances, a strong mentality is required to pursue a higher goal. Mentality can have an impact on the game. Despite the fact that we couldn’t hold a practice camp as long as Iraq did, Japan have the quality to get through the final qualifying round. We’re determined to win tomorrow.’

DF  SAKAI Hiroki (Olympique de Marseille)
We have to win the coming game. As we prepared well, all we need is to play at full stretch. As this is the last throw of the dice for Iraq, I cannot tell how they’ll perform. Having said that, as a defender, I have to keep a clean sheet to earn three points. Since we’ll play home game, I believe we need to find our rhythm to overwhelm the opponent. I’d like to focus fully on both attack and defence.

FW  OKAZAKI Shinji (Leicester City)
These two matches are our ticket to booking a place in the World Cup. So I’ll do everything I can for the team. Although Australia have provisionally got through, we can tie with them if we build up our points. We really feel strongly about this match. There is something of a tense atmosphere around the team, but we are finding our way to win the game. I know we must win the game, so that the Japan National Team can become stronger through these tough circumstances. We don’t need anything but a win.

DF  YOSHIDA Maya (Southampton FC)
Without exactly failing, we are still under pressure more than ever due to that one loss. Having said that, we’re always determined to win home game, and my attitude towards any game is the same. The opponent has lost two games and I believe they are in a sink-or-swim situation. I’d like to prepare mentally as well, so that I can prevent their counter-attacks.

MF  KASHIWAGI Yosuke (Urawa Red Diamonds)
Although Iraq tend to focus on defence, we can get through them if we use inside, outside, and space behind the defenders efficiently. I believe I must play a role. So I’d like to stay towards the front, so that I can react to loose balls, if I have an opportunity to be on the pitch. It’s vital that all of us play our best whoever is on the pitch, and remain determined to win the game.

RADHI SWADI, Coach of Iraq National Team
Despite our two defeats, I believe we still have an opportunity to get through the qualifying round and tomorrow is our chance. We were defeated by Australia due to players’ individual mistakes. Having said that, we performed better in the game against Saudi Arabia, which we’re intending to continue with fewer mistakes. We have analysed the Japanese strengths and weaknesses by watching Japan’s games. We’re here to win, and the players will perform at their hardest.

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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