Japan If they beat Thailand tomorrow, January 1, 2024, Japan will set a record of winning nine consecutive matches for the first time.
Japan's winning streak has continued since June 2023, with six friendly wins against El Salvador 6-0, Peru 4-1, Germany 4-1, Türkiye 4-2, Canada 4-1 and Tunisia 2-0. In November, Japan defeated Myanmar and Syria 5-0 in the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers - Asia.
If Japan wins against Thailand at home, they will not only set a record of nine consecutive wins but also have a good start to the new year 2024. "The first victory of the new year will motivate the players," coach Hajime Moriyasu said at a press conference on the afternoon of December 31. "We want good results leading to the Asian Cup and World Cup."
Japan (white shirt) beat Thailand 2-0 in the second qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup. Photo: AFP
Japan and Thailand have faced each other 29 times, with the Land of the Rising Sun winning 20, drawing six and losing three. The most recent defeat was a 1-3 defeat in a friendly in 1997. In the last six matches, Japan has won all, scoring 20 and conceding just two goals.
In this rematch, Thailand has just appointed Japanese coach Masatada Ishii to replace Mano Polking. Coach Moriyasu assessed that his compatriot's tactics are very accurate. "He has studied Japan more than anyone else," said the 55-year-old coach. "I think this will be a difficult match."
Japan brings together talents from the best footballing nations in Europe, except England with Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal), Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton) and Wataru Endo (Liverpool). Notable stars include midfielder Takumi Minamino (Monaco), Ritsu Doan (SC Freiburg), Junya Ito (Reims) and striker Takuma Asano (VfL Bochum).
Coach Hajime Moriyasu led Japan to the runner-up position in the 2019 Asian Cup. Photo: Hieu Luong
Japan chose Thailand for a friendly match because there are two Southeast Asian teams in Group D of the 2023 Asian Cup, Vietnam and Indonesia. The remaining opponent is Iraq.
Coach Moriyasu aims to help Japan win the Asian Cup in Qatar, the first time they have won in 2011. He also has ambitions to help Japan win the World Cup for the first time. "The dream I want to make come true is to help Japan win the World Cup," he said.
Thailand's best performance at the World Cup is reaching the round of 16 four times in 2002, 2010, 2018 and 2022. However, the world's 17th-ranked team is playing better and better under coach Hajime Moriyasu, notably beating Spain and Germany by the same score of 2-1 in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup.
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