Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tokyo: Japan midfielder Yasuhito Endo believes Asia’s reigning champions will have to fight all the way to retain their title when the 2015 AFC Asian Cup gets underway next week.
With a record four Asian Cup crowns to their name, Japan are seen by many observers as one of the favourites to win the competition in Australia.
However, despite the Samurai Blue’s enviable trophy haul and quality squad, Endo - who was named J.League Player of the Year for helping Gamba Osaka win a league and cup treble in Japan this season – is predicting a far from easy ride for head coach Javier Aguirre’s side.
“It is different to compare all the Asian Cups because they are always in different places with different people (in the team), but it has never been an easy tournament to win,” Endo told the Japan Times.
“I think our opponents will be marking us tightly (in Australia), so we have to make sure we prepare properly and have the right mind set, otherwise it is going to be difficult to win the championship again.
“Whatever game we have faced the preparation has always been right, but there are always going to be games that we can’t control properly.”
Having appeared at the last three Asian Cups – including Japan’s title successes in 2004 and 2011 - Endo is also more than aware that a good start to the competition is vital if Japan are to gain the required momentum and stand of any chance of becoming Asia’s champions for a fifth time.
“Results are everything and if we get off to a good start in the group phase then we will be in with a chance of winning the title,” the 34-year-old explained.
“Winning the championship is our aim and it is not often that we get this much time to spend together. If we can keep wining while we gel as a team it will be a great tournament for us.”
Japan will open their Group D campaign against Palestine on January 12 in Newcastle, before facing Iraq four days later and Jordan on January 20.