Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Ho Chi Minh: Japan coach Norio Sasaki has stressed on Japan’s yearnings to win the elusive AFC Women’s Asian Cup title which the Nadeshiko have never won.
The reigning World champions were denied last time when Australia edged them 1-0 in the semi-finals and they had to settle for the third-place finish.
Likewise, they also came third in 2008 after China defeated them in the semi-finals and before that they were beaten by Australia in the last-four stages in 2006.
“There is extra motivation this time around as the Nadeshiko Japan have never been able to lift the women’s Asian Cup title,” said the World Cup winning coach Sasaki.
“Now that the schedule is fixed, I'm excited with our new challenges and cannot wait for the tournament to start.
“In Group A, the first match against Australia will be a very important one for us. Also, hosts Vietnam are organised team and Jordan know us better as the head coach of the Jordan national team is Japanese.
“We would like to win the Cup with our own style and I think the key is within ourselves. We will have a good preparation with the best members available for the tournament."
The top five teams will enter into the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015. The third-placed team of both the groups will play a playoff match to determine the fifth place.
Photo: AFP