On Thursday 24 August, Coach Vahid HALILHODZIC of SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) announced the squad members to compete in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Asian Qualifiers Final Round against Australia (August 31st, Saitama) and Saudi Arabia (September 5, Jeddah). Returning to the squad are midfielders HASEBE Makoto (Eintracht Frankfurt) and SHIBASAKI Gaku (Getafe CF), and the Japanese manager has demanded his players including uncapped SUGIMOTO Kenyu (Cerezo Osaka) ‘to be Samurai warriors and compete without showing any fear’.

Many experienced players have been recalled to the 27-member squad, and coach Halilhodzic explained Hasebe rejoining the national team for the first time since the Saudi Arabia match last November as ‘a very important player for the team’. Furthermore, Shibasaki currently playing for the La Liga in Spain will be returning to the national team for the first time since November 2015, while forward MUTO Yoshinori (1.FSV Mainz 05) has taken approximately one year to recover from a series of injury and get listed back in the Samurai squad.

Additionally, midfielders KOBAYASHI Yuki (SC Heerenveen) and defender UEDA Naomichi (Kashima Antlers) also have been called up after a period away from any national team duties.

On the other hand, Sugimoto in prime form is making his first appearance in the top national team. Scoring in the last five J.League matches, the Cerezo forward has tallied a total of 14 goals and currently is the second top goal-scorer of the Japanese league. Coach Halilhodzic expresses his high hope for the striker, ‘I have been watching him for the past two years. He possesses not only quality, but also strong physicality. He has been making significant progress as well.’

Starting with forward HONDA Keisuke (CF Pachuca) who has scored his first goal on debut in the Mexican League this week, forward OKAZAKI Shinji (Leicester City), midfielder KAGAWA Shinji (Borussia Dortmund), forward OSAKO Yuya (1.FC Koeln), defender YOSHIDA Maya (Southampton FC) and several other regular call-ups have been also named in the squad.

Coach Halilhodzic has further stated his concern about recent injuries of some of the key players ahead of his team selection and commented, ‘It has been the most difficult team selection I had to come up with. I have invited 27 players to avoid any risk. Looking closely at the conditions of my players, I will make the best selection for the squad.’

With two remaining matches in the final round of the Asian Qualifiers, Japan sit in first place of Group B with 17 points, while both Saudi Arabia and Australia are trailing only a point from the group leaders with 16 points. A win over either Australia or Saudi Arabia will guarantee the Japanese squad at least a second place of the group and qualify regardless of the results of other matches for the World Cup for the six straight tournaments. A third place team in the group must win a home-and-away tie with the third place of Group A before facing the intercontinental playoff against the fourth-placed team from CONCACAF to fight for the final spot in the World Cup.

Coach Halilhodzic expects his players to fight without showing any fear and adds, ‘This is a very important match far different from any other matches we played so far. The meaning of this match goes beyond a mere football match. The players have to be Samurai warriors.’

When asked about the Japanese squad never winning the match against Australia in the World Cup Qualifiers, the Japanese manager responded, ‘We already had a chance to win the previous away encounter last October. We are taking it positively that we are given the challenge to beat Australia for the first time in the qualifiers. If we display our strengths, we can put them under serious pressure. We are facing many adversities, but must face with determination and courage.’

The national team will start their training from August 27th in Saitama Prefecture.

Comments

Vahid HALILHODZIC, Coach of SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team)
This is a very important match for all of us and far different from any other matches we played so far. The meaning of this match goes beyond a mere football match. Patriotism and pride will be a part of the game as well. In order for us to win the match, we hope that the people who love our national team send us their support. I have been told that Japan have never defeated Australia in the Final Round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. However, we already had a chance to beat them in the last away meeting. We are taking it positively that we are given the challenge to beat Australia for the first time in the qualifiers. Without showing any fear, if we can compete in the wonderful atmosphere at home together with all our supporters as a united team, then I believe that we can certainly win the match.

I have analysed the Australian squad to the fullest extent and went to watch them in the Confederations Cup as well. They have the best team with the exception of one player. They are aggressive and physically strong as well as being very good at controlling the game. Against Chile in the Confederations Cup, the team was booked four times only in the first half, but at the same time, they were not rattled and did well to control the mental aspect of the game. However, if we can display our strengths and keep our concentration, then with high work-work rate and speed we can put our opponents in a difficult situation as well.

We are facing many adverse circumstances, and it was the most difficult list of players I had to put together. I believe that the team have players with character to compete in the coming game. We have started poorly in the final round of the qualifiers, but currently sit in first place of the group. We are looking to make the best possible preparations as well. Under such conditions, it is very important that we compete without showing any fear. The players have to be Samurai warriors. Lastly, I hope we can a play a match that will be remembered in the history of Japanese football.

NISHINO Akira, Technical Director of JFA Technical Committee
We will be having an important match deciding the qualification of the World Cup in a week’s time. It will certainly be a difficult game, but we have an advantage of competing at home. We have selected squad members that have mental toughness, and currently the national team is focused solely on the coming Australia game that will be held on August 31st. We haven’t defeated Australia in the final round of the qualifiers, but are looking to change the history as well. Your support will be the force that drives the team forward. I have high expectations that the team will earn a ticket to compete in the World Cup next week as well.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

Schedule

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

ASIAN QUALIFIERS - ROAD TO RUSSIA

2017-8-31 (Thu.) 19:35 kick off (estimated time)
SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) vs Australia National Team
Saitama/Saitama Stadium 2002
Live on TV Asahi group and NHK-BS1 at 6:30 p.m.

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2017-9-5 (Thu.) 20:30 kick off (estimated time)
[JST 26:30 kick off (estimated time)]
Saudi Arabia National Team vs SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team)
Saudi Arabia/King Abdullah Sports City
Live on TV Asahi group and NHK-BS1

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