Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Saransk: Despite a difficult build-up to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, former coach Philippe Troussier believes Akira Nishino can bring the Samurai spirit back to Japan as the four-time Asian champions finalise preparations for their opener against Colombia on Tuesday.
Nishino was appointed as Vahid Halilhodzic’s replacement just two months before the tournament started following the former Algeria coach’s removal from the post by the Japan Football Association.
It was a contentious decision, but Troussier is convinced the hiring of Nishino can restore confidence and instill a greater Japanese identity within the squad as the nation prepares to make a sixth straight appearance at the Finals.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/philippe_troussier-afp_3.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/akira_nishino-japan_coach-afp.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kazan: Captain Makoto Hasebe is confident that Japan's morale is high ahead of their 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia opener against Colombia next week.
Four years after failing to win a game at Brazil 2014, a late change saw Japan replacing Bosnian coach Vahid Halilhodzic with Akira Nishino last month.
Having suffered two 2-0 friendly defeats to Ghana and Switzerland under Nishino's leadership, Japan appeared to be set for another World Cup struggle.
But a 4-2 win over Paraguay before arriving in Russia rekindled belief among the squad that they can battle their way out of a group also featuring Senegal and Poland.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Japan coach Akira Nishino has fired a warning shot at Colombia, his team’s first opponents at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, saying the South Americans should expect the unexpected from the Samurai Blue in their Group H encounter on June 19 in Saransk.
Nishino’s side picked up their first win on Tuesday in their third game under their new coach – following losses to Ghana and Switzerland – since replacing Vahid Halilhodzic with a 4-2 victory over Paraguay in their final warm-up before travelling to Russia.
“In the three games I’ve just been experimenting, whether it’s with the formation or the players I picked,” Nishino said. “I completely changed the team from the Swiss game and I wanted to see how they responded.
“As you might be able to imagine, we’ve kept a few things to ourselves, including set-pieces. If I were Colombia, I think I’d have a hard time reading into our team. There are things we’ve been able to show and things we haven’t been able to show up until now.
“Everything we’re doing right now is for the Colombia game.”
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Moscow: Japan's target will be to emulate, if not better, their previous best of two appearances in the Round of 16 at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.
A well-balanced squad has given head coach Akira Nishino hope that the Blue Samurai will advance from Group H despite the challenge posed by Poland, Senegal and Colombia.
Nishino will be counting on the senior players to play a key role in Japan's sixth appearance at the FIFA World Cup.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The Samurai Blue will make their sixth appearance at the FIFA World Cup at Russia 2018. Despite recent change at the helm, our Japanese journalist is cautiously optimistic of their chances.
A squad filled with big-name veterans and a vastly experienced coach in Akira Nishino at the helm, Japan will hope to channel the spirit of 2002 and 2010 when they reached the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup.
Our Japan expert is Etsuko Motokawa, a Japanese football journalist and author. Motokawa has covered football for over 24 years, attending her first FIFA World Cup in 1994, and she currently writes on Japanese football for several newspapers and websites.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Seefeld: Japan defender Maya Yoshida has a score to settle with Colombia when the two sides re-unite in their Group H opener at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.
The pair met in their group concluder at Brazil 2014 with Japan requiring a win against a Colombia side that had already sealed a place in the knockout stage.
Yoshida and Co battled hard but their hopes were dashed with a 4-1 defeat against uncompromising opponents. Four years on, that disappointment remains an unhappy memory for Yoshida.
"We were in a very difficult position going into the closing group match against Colombia," the 29-year-old Southampton centre-back said ahead of the pair’s upcoming meeting at the Mordovia Arena in Saransk.
"Our opening loss to Ivory Coast cost us dearly, when we scored early but then we threw away our lead cheaply.
"So when the Colombia test came, we faced a must-win scenario. We had a hard time (against Colombia) and they taught us a lesson of how tough the World Cup could be."
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The Samurai Blue head into the 2018 FIFA World Cup on the back of a comprehensive continental qualifying campaign. Despite recent changes at the helm, there remains a reliance on the golden generation with household names back in the fold.
Overview
Japan’s preparation for Russia 2018 has not been the most straightforward of Asia's representatives, with coach Vahid Halilhodzic departing the helm just two months before the competition to be replaced with technical director Akira Nishino.
The former Gamba Osaka boss attempted a new three-man defence in his first match in charge, a 2-0 defeat at home to Ghana on May 30, as well as offering a reprieve to big names Shinji Kagawa, Keisuke Honda, and Shinji Okazaki, whose places were in doubt under Halilhodzic.