SAMURAI BLUE trains behind closed doors in Al Ain ahead of match against Uzbekistan – AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 (1/5-2/1)

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16 January 2019

SAMURAI BLUE trains behind closed doors in Al Ain ahead of match against Uzbekistan – AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 (1/5-2/1)

On Tuesday 15 January, the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) held a training session behind closed doors in Al Ain, two days ahead of their final group stage match against the Uzbekistan National Team at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.

After playing their first two matches in Abu Dhabi, the team travelled to Al Ain on the day before. The session on this day was held in the evening where all 23 players appeared on the field. However, OSAKO Yuya (Werder Bremen) and HIGASHIGUCHI Masaaki (Gamba Osaka) were seen training on a separate menu from the team.

With the session being opened to the media for the first 15 minutes, the players were seen going over their warmup routine, while the two goalkeepers, GONDA Shuichi (Sagan Tosu) and SCHMIDT Daniel (Vegalta Sendai) went through goalkeeping drills. Once the session was closed to the media, the team went over their team tactics thoroughly ahead of their match against Uzbekistan.

Japan’s next opponents, Uzbekistan, has won their first match against Oman 2-1, followed by a 4-0 victory over Turkmenistan. With the team earning as many points as Japan, they have already clinched the round of 16. It is Uzbekistan who has the advantage over Japan in goal differential, standing at the top of Group F ahead of the head-to-head clash.

In order for Japan to advance through the group stage as the group leader, Japan must win against Uzbekistan on the 17th. In case of a draw or a loss, Japan will finish as the runners-up. The group leader of Group F will face the runners-up of Group E, either Saudi Arabia or Qatar, at Sharjah, while the runners-up of Group F will remain in Al Ain to face Australia, who finished second in Group B.

Uzbekistan has advanced to the quarterfinals in the previous four Asian Cups, where they finished in the top four in 2011, showcasing their incredible consistency at the competition. Japan has a track record of six wins, three draws, and one loss, when facing Uzbekistan, but their matches have been close games, especially those played in the final qualification round of the FIFA World Cup, including the two draws and a loss they suffered in Tashkent.

Veteran defender NAGATOMO Yuto (Galatasaray S.K.) mentioned about their next opponent, “They were the most difficult opponents during the final qualification round. They are physically strong and technically sound.” While staying alerted, he continued by stating, “We will go for the win. In order for us to win the title, we must defeat every team. We are fully committed.”

Osako described his state of recovery as “So-so,” but gave words of encouragement towards the young players of the team, “This is a rare opportunity that only the selected ones can experience. I want them to reach out to their full potential and strive for a higher level. It gives us the motivation to compete and improve,” sharing his view that an intense competition among the team is necessary to heighten the overall level of the team.

After having his 24th birthday on Wednesday 16, midfielder MINAMINO Takumi (FC Red Bull Salzburg) shared his aspiration, “By having my birthday during this tournament, it gives me more motivation to win the title, so that I can start my 24th year in the best way possible. I will give my very best to help the team win.”

The team will conduct an official training session at the match venue, Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium tomorrow.

The third group stage match against the Uzbekistan National Team will kick-off at 17:30 (22:30 Japan time) on Thursday 17.

Players' Comments

GK #12 GONDA Shuichi (Sagan Tosu)
Uzbekistan is one of the strongest team in Asia, so this will not be an easy match for us. By holding onto the ball as long as possible, it will eliminate the time our opponents can utilise in their attack, so we will keep that in mind while we play. They have great quality in their offence, so we must not let them play freely. Under any given circumstances, Japan is a team that must overwhelm the opponents in competitions in Asia. Following our previous match, we have many aspects we must improve on, so we will keep working on those tasks and keep on challenging ourselves in the next match.

DF #22 YOSHIDA Maya (Southampton FC)
Although it is up to the coach, with the team clinching the knockout round after playing two matches, it gives us the opportunity to try out new players in the line-up. Through this tournament, I want our young players to leave a positive impression to the coach, team, and the fans so that they can become a regular member of the national team. The pressure we face in these official matches are different from the friendly matches, but I want those players who aren’t getting the opportunity to play to utilise the frustration as power in the next match. I believe that it will energise the team and help the team move towards the right direction.

MF #9 MINAMINO Takumi (FC Red Bull Salzburg)
In the last match, I missed out on some opportunities, but I am not mentally affected by it. I am just going to take more shots until I score a goal. After taking a look at the tapes, it was evident that I was aiming towards the right angle, so I just need to make the little adjustments by predicting how the opponents react. As a team, I feel like we are showing great improvements in offence, so we just need to be more critical in our finishes. It’s been four years since I transferred abroad when I was 19, and time has flown by quickly. I am not satisfied with what I have accomplished thus far, so I will continue to work hard and strive to become a better player.

MF #10 INUI Takashi (Real Betis)
I am always prepared to play, and my only focus is on how to win the match. Everybody wants to play on the pitch, and the next match may give some of those players the opportunity to express their frustration. If we are given the opportunity, we must give our best to capitalise on it. Uzbekistan is a strong team with great techniques. We must be able to breakdown the flanks and convert our chances in the middle. It makes a huge difference to win through the group stage with three wins or to advance with a loss, so it is important that we enter the match with strong intention to win the match.