Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: Collective strength will make Japan a difficult team to beat, says coach Mohammad Khakpour, as his Iran team prepare to take on the East Asian giants in the quarter-finals of the AFC U23 Championship on Friday.
Japan, who are aiming to qualify for a sixth straight Olympic Games in Brazil later this year, won Group B with a 100% record to advance to the last eight with Makoto Teguramori making full use of his squad having made 10 changes for Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia.
Iran claimed second spot in Group A behind tournament hosts Qatar, with Khakpour also rotating his squad over their three games.
“The games are so close to each other, the teams have to use whatever players they have to manage their energy, but what I see of the Japan team there are 23 players very close to each other,” said Khakpour (pictured, right).
“They follow the rules and play the same way, so there’s not much difference between them. Whoever will play will do the role they’re given to them and that’s the good thing for Japan.
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“The hard thing about playing the Japan team is they don’t have a star, they have a team. They play together as a team and that’s the great thing about them.
“We have to watch them all because they don’t have one player to mark who can change the game. They are really hard workers and I believe it’s going to be a very tough game tomorrow.”
Iran are aiming to qualify for the Olympic Games for the first time since 1976 and have lost just once in the tournament so far, slipping to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Qatar, which came between wins over Syria and China.
Teguramori’ (pictured, left) Japan, meanwhile, cruised through Group B with victories over Saudi Arabia, DPR Korea and Thailand.
“Tomorrow’s game will definitely be a tough game,” said the former Vegalta Sendai coach. “Both Japan and Iran have done well in the group stages and we’re in the knockout stage and this game will be very enthusiastic and a very good game to watch.
“In terms of skill, tactics and ability, there will be a very high level in this game and a simple mistake could lead to a loss, so we need to really concentrate on the game. So, what we have to think about, is to win and to qualify for the semi-finals. This is all we will be thinking about during 90 minutes, or 120 minutes.
“Iran have plenty of very dangerous players, they especially have a very good attack so we can’t leave him free. I think we can’t let them do what they want and get into their rhythm. If each of our players can fight during the game they can put a lot of pressure on the very skillful Iran players and that will increase their confidence in themselves. So I’m expecting a lot from them.
“The only critical point is whether we score or not, to score a goal or concede a goal. So it’s important that we seize our chances.”
Photo: AFC