The draw has placed Japan in Group D with Indonesia, Iraq and Vietnam. Speaking after the draw, coach Hajime Moriyasu emphasized that the team from the land of the rising sun will once again recreate their glory in Qatar, which he called "the land of opportunity" and their goal is to win the championship.
Coach Hajime Moriyasu and the Japanese team left an impression at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
Being seeded No. 1 gives Japan a slight advantage in the draw, but Group D with Indonesia led by coach Shin Tae-yong, Iraq - the dark horse of the Middle East, and Vietnam led by coach Philip Troussier is considered a difficult group at the 2023 Asian Cup.
Commenting on the Japan Football Association (JFA) website right after the draw, coach Moriyasu said: "No group is easy, but I think we got into a group that was more difficult than we thought."
Iraq is Japan's biggest threat in Group D, but Mr. Moriyasu still pays special attention to the Vietnamese team when he said: "Coach Philip Troussier, who leads Vietnam, has led Japan in the past (helping the team reach the round of 16 at the 2002 World Cup) and knows our characteristics well. Meanwhile, coach Shin Tae-yong of Indonesia also knows our strengths well."
6 groups at the 2023 Asian Cup Finals
However, according to Japanese media, coach Moriyasu lost confidence despite being in a difficult group. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, held last year at the same venue as the 2023 Asian Cup, Japan shocked the world with victories over Germany and Spain in the group stage to advance to the round of 16.
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