Saitama: Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic has warned his charges to be careful of falling into traps laid by Syria when both sides meet in what he claims is a “cup final” at the Saitama Stadium 2002 in Tuesday.
The Samurai Blue are currently top of Group E in the 2018 FIFA World Cup/2019 AFC Asian Cup joint-qualifiers, in possession of a one-point lead over their opponents.
Even if they are to be defeated on Tuesday and pipped to first place, they are already through to the third round of the World Cup qualifiers and the 2019 Asian Cup, as they are certain to finish as one of the four best runners-up.
But in what has thus far been an impressive campaign from Japan, winning six of their seven games and scoring 22 goals while conceding none, Halilhodzic has urged his charges to sign off with a flourish.
“This is the last match of the group and for us it will be a cup final,” explained the Bosnian.
“It is a game between the strongest teams in the group and a final we have to win.
“It is not going to be an easy game against a team that can score goals, and we have to have a fire in our bellies and make sure we don’t fall into their traps.
“They will try to break up our rhythm, provoke us by faking fouls and playacting, and I just hope the referee is ready for that.
“We can’t let that sort of thing frustrate us and I have told the players they need to be in control.”
Aside from the negative tactics he is expecting, Halilhodzic did concede that Syria would pose a real threat based on the quality they have.
He said: “Syria have scored more goals than we have, and we have to respect them.
“But if the players can play like they did in training (on Sunday) then I can be optimistic.”
Japan captain Makoto Hasebe added: “Syria have got a good chance of qualifying, but with us having already qualified, the most important thing is to have the right intensity.”
The other Group E clash sees Afghanistan take on Singapore at the neutral venue of the Takhti Stadium in Tehran, with the latter already assured to finish above their opponents in third place.
Photo: AFP
Source: the-afc.com