Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Saitama: Japan may have only just completed an excellent campaign in the 2018 FIFA World Cup/2019 AFC Asian Cup joint-qualifiers, but stars Shinji Kagawa and Maya Yoshida are not about to bask in this achievement.
Instead, they believe the team must now turn their attentions to getting even better as they look to book their place at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The Samurai Blue claimed a 5-0 win over Syria at the Saitama Stadium 2002 to finish top of Group E with seven wins and a draw from eight games, as well as a remarkable record of 27 goals scored and none conceded.
The reward for their dominant displays is progress to the third round of World Cup qualifying and a berth at the 2019 Asian Cup in United Arab Emirates.
For now, Japan are receiving plenty of plaudits but Kagawa (pictured, left), who netted twice against Syria, is already determined that they continue in the same vein when the next stage kicks off in September.
“Results are everything,” the Borussia Dortmund attacker said, according to Japan Times.
“Hopefully now we can continue this form into the final round.
“Syria hit us with some dangerous counterattacks while we were looking for our second goal, so I was happy to score when I did.”
Kagawa’s sentiments were echoed by Southampton centre-back Yoshida, who started in all eight of Japan’s qualifiers and even weighed in with three goals against Cambodia, Singapore and Afghanistan.
“I’m not totally satisfied with tonight’s (Tuesday’s) performance and we have to talk about what we can do to make sure we perform well in the final qualifying round,” explained the 27-year-old.
“Competition for places will get tougher from now on.”
Nonetheless, Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic took the time out to praise his players on what was a memorable night for Shinji Okazaki, who captained the team on his 100th cap.
Halilhodzic said: “It’s a fantastic achievement not to concede a single goal throughout the group, but the team can get better and we are looking forward to the final round.
“I think it was a great match, spectacular. We got five goals and I hope everyone is happy.
“It (the captaincy) was a little reward for him (Okazaki).
“He always gives his all until the final whistle of every game, and this is great for the Japan national team.”
Japan will find out who their next opponents are on April 12, when the draw for the third round is held in Kuala Lumpur.
Photo: AFP