Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Brisbane: Japan manager Javier Aguirre is expecting nothing less than a stern test from Iraq when the winners of the last two AFC Asian Cups go head-to-head at Brisbane Stadium on Friday.
Whoever wins on Friday will top Group D and potentially clinch a quarter-final berth, and Aguirre is fully anticipating Japan's Gulf opponents to come out aggressively for the three points.
The Samurai Blue kicked off their title defence with a 4-0 victory against tournament debutants Palestine on Monday but Aguirre, who played Iraq at the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico during his career, knows full well Radhi Shenaishil's side will be a completely different proposition.
"Tomorrow, an extremely tough match against Iraq awaits us," Aguirre said during Thursday's pre-match press conference. "They play good football behind some talented players. Both teams are on three points and it's a situation where the winners will go through.
"When I played them in '86 I thought they were a team with pace and power. We beat them at the Azteca, but I remember it being a very difficult game.
"Against Palestine, we had a very good first half but after the fourth goal came early in the second half, we took our foot off the pedal. But we're relaxed now and are thinking about Iraq only."
Taking part in his first Asian Cup, the two-time World Cup coach for Mexico has been impressed by the standard and quality of Asia's flagship competition.
"There are a number of countries here so the strength of the teams does vary," said Aguirre. "But the quality of the football here has generally been high, and I've taken part in the Copa America and the Gold Cup.
"There are many players here who are good enough to play in any league in the world. The organisation of the tournament has been exceptional as well."
Appearing in his fourth AFC Asian Cup and set to win a record 150th cap for the four-time champions, Yasuhito Endo said the heat in Brisbane will likely be a factor.
"It should be hot and humid and one, tough game," said Endo, who led a Japanese treble-winning campaign with Gamba Osaka in 2014. "If we're up, we should be able to control the tempo but if we're down, I'm sure the boys will figure out a way to overcome it."
Photo: WSG