Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Ho Chi Minh City: Japan manager Hiroshi Yoshida insists his side will write their own story at this year's AFC U-19 Women's Championship as the defending champions prepare to open their campaign against China at Thanh Long Sports Centre.
Japan lifted the trophy two years ago in Wuhan when they defeated Korea Republic 2-1 in the final under the tutelage of Norio Sasaki, who went on to guide the senior team to glory at this year's World Cup.
However, former Japan international striker Yoshida stressed that past triumphs will count for nothing on Thursday and has told his players not to let the pressure of the title affect them.
"I don't consider us the reigning champions here. We are the defending champions but we do not consider ourselves defending champions so that we can release that pressure," he said.
"That team which won the tournament is in the past, so we think we should focus on this tournament as new and try to play good football all the time. China will be a very difficult match for us."
The Japanese are among the favourites to win the tournament but the coach stressed that his other aim was to qualify for the World Cup next year by finishing in the top three of the six-team group.
"We will aim to qualify for the World Cup next year and then we want to be a champion again."
China manager Yin Tiesheng admitted that he is still finding his feet in women's football and does not know much about the other teams they will face in Vietnam.
However, the former China under-23 coach admitted that he is particularly wary of the threat posed by Australia and Japan and added that he is also focused on qualifying for the World Cup.
"I have not been a coach of a women's football team for long but we will try our best to perform well. I know that Australia's players are strong and that the Japanese are good at strategy but we will try," he said.
"We will try our best to get the best results and our goal is to qualify for the World Cup."