Yoshida confident ahead of clash with Iraq

Published on: 12 June 2017

Tehran: Maya Yoshida believes Japan have yet to hit top form despite recovering from a slow start to lead the way in Group B of the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 qualifiers ahead of the clash with Iraq on Tuesday that can see them open up a three-point gap at the top of the standings.

Australia’s 3-2 victory over Saudi Arabia on Thursday moved the Socceroos level on 16 points with Japan and the Saudis at the Group B summit but, crucially, the Samurai Blue’s game in hand in could see them open up daylight at the top before the final two rounds of fixtures.

Watch Yoshida discuss his early idols and life in England

 

Yoshida has captained Japan in the last two qualifying games in the absence of Makoto Hasebe as the East Asians picked up back-to-back wins over the United Arab Emirates and Thailand, and the Southampton defender scored in the 4-0 win over the latter in March.

“[Australia winning] makes it a difficult situation because the top three teams are now on the same points so we have to win this game and get three points before playing Australia in August,” said Yoshida.

 

“We had a difficult start because no one expected to lose our first match against the UAE. After that we came back, not in a perfect way, but we still have a chance to qualify so I am confident in myself and my teammates.”

Japan responded from the 2-1 opening-day reversal to the Emiratis by defeating Thailand and then securing a last-gasp 2-1 win over Tuesday’s opponents after substitute Hotaru Yamaguchi netted in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Since then, they have picked up three wins and a draw to set the pace in Group B and remain favourites to advance, but face the sternest test possible in their final two games with the visit of Australia and a trip to Saudi Arabia rounding off their qualification campaign.

“I think Iraq are a good team and when we played them in Japan we scored right at the end of the game so it was a little bit lucky,” admitted Yoshida.

“They can’t qualify but they have changed their manager so will be motivated, especially with the situation in their country. I think they really want to perform well for the people living in Iraq.”

Yoshida made his debut for Japan as a 21-year-old back at the beginning of 2010 and soon established himself as a key member of the side.

A year later he helped the Samurai Blue lift the AFC Asian Cup for the fourth time before also representing his country at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil in 2014.

“I didn’t have a lot of experience of international football at the time [of the 2011 success] so I just followed the senior players and it was great for me to get the title,” added Yoshida.

“But we didn’t get good results in Brazil so we have to get through these qualifiers and go to Russia.

“The best result Japan has had was to reach the second round of the World Cup in 2002, that’s what we have to do again and make it two times in the second round. That’s my personal target and it would mean another step for Japanese history.”

Photos: Lagardère Sports

Source: the-afc.com

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