Blue Samurai eye 2022 World Cup

Abu Dhabi - Captain Maya Yoshida said Japan will go all out

For Japan each match of the AFC Asian Cup is a stepping stone to the 2022 World Cup. After the heroics of Russia 2018, where they entered the Round 16 stage, the Japanese are dreaming big.
Captain Maya Yoshida said Japan will go all out in their first Group F match against Turkmenistan.
The 'Blue Samurais' are hungry for success and don't forget failures easily. They are yet to overcome the shock defeat in penalties to the UAE in the quarterfinals of the AFC Asian Cup 2015.
"Four years ago we had a disappointment against the UAE in Australia. But this time, we have a new team and a new coach. Also, after the World Cup Russia, the expectations are very high."
Yoshida said the Asian giants were expected to perform well in the UAE.
"Compared to the World Cup, here in the Asian Cup we are expected to win. There is pressure obviously and we need to be able to cope with that and win the title."
Yoshida said looking at the next the World Cup, it was important for Japan to take the Asian Cup seriously and youngsters to get used to the pressure of big match situations.
"We have new players in the team. We need to build the base of the team in this tournament before the World Cup qualifiers. It is important for the young player in the squad to cope with this pressure as same level is needed in the Fifa World Cup qualifiers and in Europe."
Coach Hajime Moriyasu said he was wary about taking any opponent lightly.
"Australia and Thailand lost, and South Korea had a difficult situation. All teams are strong. We know each match will be tough and we need to give our 100 per cent," he said about the group including Oman and Uzbekistan.
Moriyasu is happy with the team composition of youth and experience.
"I wanted a mix of young and experienced players. This is the way to develop Japanese football. I hope these young players will use the Asian Cup as a platform to develop their own game and it will help Japanese football."
Japan play Turkmenistan at Al Nahyan Stadium on Wednesday.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com