Japan’s Yoshida urges his team to seal title
al ain — Japan captain Maya Yoshida sounded the battle cry after the Samurai Blue drubbed Iran to reach the Asian Cup final.
After celebrating Monday’s 3-0 victory over the tournament favourites in Al Ain, Yoshida called for the Japanese to complete the job as they chase a record-extending fifth title.
“We can’t be satisfied with beating Iran,” said the Southampton defender after a tempestuous semifinal, effectively decided by Yuya Osako’s controversial secondhalf double.
“We still have another game that we must win. If we lose that, all the hard work will have been for nothing so we need to finish it. We talked about going to war before we came out here,” added Yoshida, who needed to be restrained by his teammates in a late flashpoint after reacting furiously to Iran striker Sardar Azmoun.
“We have come together as a strong unit and we need to keep fighting as a team.”
Yoshida admitted he had calmed down just in time to avoid seeing red. “If I’d got myself sent off and missed the final it would have been terrible,” he said.
“What’s important is to enjoy the ride and hopefully we can keep improving. We want to make sure we win the final and be Asian champions again.”
Osako headed a bizarre opener from Takumi Minamino’s cross in Monday’s semifinal with five Iran players busy gesticulating to the referee for him to book Minamino for a dive.
The Osako smashed home his second from the penalty spot after the ball struck the unfortunate Morteza Pouraliganji’s arm as he slid in to tackle, knocking the stuffing out of Iran’s players.
Genki Haraguchi added a stoppage-time third to add insult to injury for Iran.
“I’ve had my problems with injuries so that was a little payback — to get out the frustration,” said Osako.
“We’ve played our best football in the biggest game of the Asian Cup.”
Japan captured the last of their four Asian Cups in 2011 and have never lost a final.
Hajime Moriyasu’s new-look side have hardly set the world alight, but given Japan’s pedigree in the competition they will now be favourites to win Friday’s final in Abu Dhabi.
With Japan unbeaten in 11 matches since Moriyasu took over after last year’s World Cup, Osako insisted only a winner’s medal would do.
“A lot of young players have come in since the World Cup,” said the former Cologne forward.
“If we can go on to win the tournament, it will give them a massive confidence boost.
“We’re not finished yet, we have to go again,” added Osako. “Winning the final is all that matters.”
We still have another game that we must win. If we lose that, all the hard work will have been for nothing so we need to finish it
Maya Yoshida, Japan captain