Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Natal: Optimistic Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni is hoping to bank on the team's unrealised potential and exploit opportunities in their next match against tenacious and compact Greece on Thursday.
Both Japan and Greece lost their opening matches against Cote d'Ivoire and Colombia respectively and will be looking forward to securing their first three points to help them advance to the Round of 16.
The Japanese were leading 1-0 in their match against Cote d'Ivoire before the Ivorians came from behind and scored two goals in the space of two minutes to clinch the game.
Japan and Greece have never met in a World Cup but their last clash was nine years ago where the Samurai Blue beat the Greeks 1-0 at the FIFA Confederations Cup 2005.
Zaccheroni believes the four-time Asian champions side need to handle the determined approach of the Greeks which catapulted them to a surprise victory at UEFA Euro 2004.
"Greece have always stood out for their tenacity and the compact nature of their game," FIFA.com reported Zaccheroni as saying. "They've built their success on that. They withstand attacks very well, they're difficult opposition and so we have to exploit our opportunities when they come up.
"This is a very short tournament, so we all know that if you lose one match it gives you little chance of advancing. But I'm an optimist. Japan have significant potential. Now we're all just waiting to show that potential in our next two matches, starting with tomorrow. It's fundamental we win if we're going to advance."
Greece, who lost six of their seven games in World Cup finals tournaments, are also looking out for their first win in the group games and boss Fernando Santos believes he has pinpointed Japanese vulnerabilities after studying their performance against Cote d'Ivoire.
"We watched them play against Ivory Coast," Santos said to AFP. "We selected interesting information and we will inform our players during the next days.
"We have already watched Japan in the past and we know their advantages and disadvantages. We will be ready."
Defeat for either side Estadio das Dunas could signal the end of their World Cup campaign ahead of the final round of Group C matches on June 24.
Photo: AFP