Halilhodzic demands Japan continue ruthless streak

Published on: 23 March 2016

Tokyo: Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic has called on his team to maintain their ruthless streak as they close on qualification for the next phase of FIFA World Cup qualifying and the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

The Samurai Blue have been the dominant side in Group E of the 2018 FIFA World Cup/ 2019 AFC Asian Cup joint qualifiers with five wins and a draw in their six matches thus far.

In addition, since their opening 0-0 draw against Singapore at the Saitama Stadium, they have netted 17 goals and are yet to concede – a fine run of results that sees them currently sit one point ahead of second-placed Syria.

LATEST 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP / 2019 AFC ASIAN CUP QUALIFICATION STANDINGS 

Their place in the next round of World Cup qualifiers, as well as an automatic berth at the Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates is, however - with two more qualifiers to come in quick succession - still to be confirmed - something Halilhodzic wants to rectify as soon as possible. 

“The important thing is to win the two matches and I want to continue our clean-sheet run during the qualifiers,” said the Bosnian tactician.

“Now, in the FIFA ranking, Japan is at second place in Asia.

“For the final qualifiers, we want to maintain this position as well.”

Halilhodzic has also opted to call up 11 players currently plying their trade in the J.League, insisting that it is form, rather than reputation, that will give them the nod.

“I am thinking to give chances to players who currently keep playing well for their own club,” added Halilhodzic.

“It’s up to players whether they grab that opportunity, but I am building various game plans where I give out such opportunities.”

Among the players relatively inexperienced on the international scene but hoping to get an opportunity are Kawasaki Frontale forward Yu Kobayashi, Gamba Osaka left-back Hiroki Fujiharu and Sanfrecce Hiroshima playmaker Yosuke Kashiwagi.

Source: the-afc.com

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