Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Goa: Coach Yoshiro Moriyama cautioned his Japan players against any complacency ahead of Sunday's AFC U-16 Championship India 2016 quarter-final with the United Arab Emirates.
Two-time winners Japan advanced to a sixth consecutive knockout stage appearance after topping Group A with a 100% record following comprehensive wins over Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan and Australia.
But with Sunday's meeting at GMC Stadium also securing the winner qualification for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Moriyama is taking nothing for granted after the young Samurai Blue missed out on the FIFA event two years ago when they lost to Korea Republic in the quarter-finals of the 2014 AFC U-16 Championship.
“Despite our performances in the group stage, we will not be overconfident coming into our quarter-final game, we know that it’s going to be tough,” said Moriyama, who saw his team net 21 goals without reply in the group stage.
“UAE is a difficult team and didn't lose any games in the group stages and, while we’re happy we won our group, the competition is going to be totally different now that we’re into the knockout phase.
“Of course, it's going to be a big match, so there is a lot of pressure on us. I just want to tell the players to manage that pressure and focus on our game.”
AFC U-16 Championship Knock-out Stage: Ones to Watch
Victory on Sunday would earn Japan a fifth appearance at the FIFA U-17 World Cup after the East Asians reached the Round of 16 in the UAE at the 2013 edition having advanced to the quarter-finals two years earlier in Mexico.
“Missing the World Cup would be a huge loss for our players. It would be a big opportunity to experience the World Cup, so we definitely don't want to pass that up,” added Moriyama.
“So, for the sake of our young generation of footballers, it is vitally important that we ensure our passage to the FIFA tournament next year.”
Standing in their way are a UAE side who ensured a fourth quarter-final appearance after defeating Saudi Arabia in a winner-take-all tie to secure second place in Group A ahead of the young Green Falcons and India.
Hosts at the 2013 edition, UAE are seeking to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the first time on merit since the 2009 tournament in Nigeria, after they earned their place via a quarter-final victory over Australia at the 2008 AFC U-16 Championship.
“I watched the games of Japan and the way they are playing is really good. We respect the way they play,” said UAE coach Abdelmajeed Al Nemer.
“But at the same time we are really confident and giving that confidence to our players. Our playing style is very effective and we feel that the winning team is the one who we will be more efficient in implementing their philosophy on the pitch.
“Every game is different, with its own situation and scenario, so against Japan the chance for both teams is equal. It is 50-50 and we both have a chance to win. It is like a final for both teams.”
Photo: AFC