Japan ready to avenge Bahrain loss
Saturday, 28 March 2009
SAITAMA, Mar 27 (AFP): Japan coach Takeshi Okada believes the return of his Europe-based players can help his side avenge a January loss to Bahrain when the two sides clash in a World Cup qualifier here Saturday.
Japan lost 1-0 in the Gulf state in an Asian Cup qualifer two months ago, but that was without the likes of Celtic star Shunsuke Nakamura.
"I'm sure that Bahrain are an offensive team against any teams," Okada told reporters. "But if we play our 100 per cent, I believe we can win."
Okada said he had a better squad with more talent available for the crunch home match which could boost their hopes of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.
"When we lost to them before, we didn't have the best players, so I don't feel those losses were bitter for us."
Unlike for that Asian Cup tussle in Manama, Okada has this time called up Nakamura, Daisuke Matsui of French club Saint- Etienne, and VfL Wolfsburg pair midfielder Makoto Hasebe and striker Yoshito Okubo.
They join Gamba Osaka midfielder Yasuhito Endo, who is arguably the pick of Japan's home-based players, while first- choice keeper Seigo Narazaki returns after undergoing an operation on his right ankle.
The Blue Samurai already trail Australia by two points after four games in Asian qualifying Group A.
Bahrain and Qatar have four points and Uzbekistan one point.
Having drawn their last two home games, including 0-0 against Australia in February, Okada was in no doubt about the importance of winning this time.
Japan lost 1-0 in the Gulf state in an Asian Cup qualifer two months ago, but that was without the likes of Celtic star Shunsuke Nakamura.
"I'm sure that Bahrain are an offensive team against any teams," Okada told reporters. "But if we play our 100 per cent, I believe we can win."
Okada said he had a better squad with more talent available for the crunch home match which could boost their hopes of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.
"When we lost to them before, we didn't have the best players, so I don't feel those losses were bitter for us."
Unlike for that Asian Cup tussle in Manama, Okada has this time called up Nakamura, Daisuke Matsui of French club Saint- Etienne, and VfL Wolfsburg pair midfielder Makoto Hasebe and striker Yoshito Okubo.
They join Gamba Osaka midfielder Yasuhito Endo, who is arguably the pick of Japan's home-based players, while first- choice keeper Seigo Narazaki returns after undergoing an operation on his right ankle.
The Blue Samurai already trail Australia by two points after four games in Asian qualifying Group A.
Bahrain and Qatar have four points and Uzbekistan one point.
Having drawn their last two home games, including 0-0 against Australia in February, Okada was in no doubt about the importance of winning this time.