Appearing at a press conference in Doha (Qatar) on the afternoon of January 13, coach Hajime Moriyasu said: "Recently, Japan experienced an earthquake disaster. If we play well, it can be a remedy for those who suffered from natural disasters.
Japanese fans have high expectations for us. The whole team will try their best, the Japanese team will participate in the 2023 Asian Cup with the sole goal of winning the championship. Of course, we will have to calculate each match."
Hajime Moriyasu affirmed his determination to win the 2023 Asian Cup with Japan (Photo: AP).
Regarding the injury of striker Kaoru Mitoma and the star currently playing for Brighton (England) who may be absent from the match against the Vietnamese team, coach Moriyasu revealed: "He wants to play, but we have to see how the situation goes."
Regarding the fact that the Japanese team often practices during the hot noon hours of 10am-11am in Qatar, the Japanese strategist said: "When we practice at that time, the end time is the same as the time we warm up for the next match.
It's a good training environment and schedule. Plus, we have time to rest in the evening afterwards."
Finally, coach Hajime Moriyasu commented on his colleague Philippe Troussier, who has made many contributions to Japanese football: "Mr. Troussier is a former Japanese coach from 1998-2002, so he understands our football.
But we also have an understanding of the Vietnamese team. We will play a balanced game. The Japanese team has 7 matches, if we reach the end of the tournament, of course we will consider how to use the players in each match."
Japan brings to the 2023 Asian Cup a squad with 21 players currently playing in Europe (Photo: AP).
Liverpool's star midfielder Wataru Endo shared in a press conference: "We are working hard every day to win the 2023 Asian Cup. Japan has just experienced an earthquake. Therefore, the whole team wants to share with the home fans with our performance in this tournament."
At 6:30 p.m. on January 14, the Vietnamese team will play the opening match of Group D of the 2023 Asian Cup against Japan at Al Thumama Stadium (Qatar). This is the opponent that Coach Park Hang Seo's Vietnamese team lost 0-1 to in the quarter-finals of the 2019 Asian Cup in the UAE.
Before entering the 2023 Asian Cup, the Vietnamese team had their only friendly match on January 9 and lost 1-2 to Kyrgyzstan. Meanwhile, Japan showed formidable strength when they beat Thailand 5-0 and Jordan 6-1.
Coach Philipppie Troussier had a wonderful time leading the Japanese team from 1998 to 2002. He led the "Samurai Blue" to the group stage for the first time at the 2002 World Cup, helped the Japanese team win the 2000 Asian Cup and win the runner-up position at the 2001 Confederations Cup.
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