‘Lucky’ Japan reach Asian Cup knockout stage
JAPAN captain Maya Yoshida (pictured, AFP) admitted that the Blue Samurai need to show more ruthlessness after they edged Oman 1-0 to reach the Asian Cup knockout phase on Sunday.
A c o n t r ov e r s i a l Ge n k i Haraguchi penalty sent the four-time champions into the last 16 after a lacklustre performance that left Yoshida complaining about the team’s dismal f i ni s hi ng in Abu Dhabi.
“We have to be more clinical,” Yoshida said after Japan’s second successive win in Group F.
“We should have scored two or three more – that’s why we struggled in the last 10 minutes. It’s always difficult when you’re 1-0 up and the defence are up against it.”
Yoshida also felt that fortune had favoured Japan, who were awarded a penalty when Haraguchi tumbled theatrically under minimal contact, and got away with one when Yuto Nagatomo appeared to use his hand to block a shot just before half-time.
“It was tougher than we thought it would be,” said the Southampton defender.
“We were a little bit lucky with the penalty we had – and the one not given as well. But the most important point for us was to get through the group.
“It’s important for us to build ild confidence,” added Yoshida, da, one of Japan’s surviving old guard after coach Hajime Morioriyasu dropped the likes of Shininji Kagawa and Shinji Okazaki i in favour of a new-look squad at the Asian Cup.
Japan, who reached the he knockout stage at last year’s ar’s World Cup, also failed to impress in beating Turkmeninistan 3-2 in their Asian Cup up opener.
Yoshida has called on a marked improvement from the he side if they are to challenge nge joint favourites Iran and South uth Korea for the title.
“Our performances are still not good enough clear- l y,” s a i d t he 3 0 - y e a r - o l d . “But I still have c o n f i d e n c e we will get back on track.”
Ja pan wi l l take on either Saudi Arabia or Qatar in the last 16 – the 2022 World Cup hosts firing a warning
by crush- ing North Korea 6-0 earlier on Su Sunday.
I Iran though have looked the tea team of the tournament so far, wh while South Korea, beaten in th the 2015 final by hosts Australia, will be boosted by the arrival of mercurial Tottenham forward Son Heungmin.
“I saw Iran at the World Cup, where they played reall ly, really well,” said Yoshida, acu acutely aware of the dangers po posed by the Asian Cup’s top sid sides.
““I was really surprised, im impressed. And of course Austra tralia, South Korea – they’re alw always the most difficult oppone nents.