New Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni has his sights set on Asian Cup glory in Qatar this month – and a record-breaking fourth win for the country.
Should Japan be successful, not only will they overtake Iran and Saudi Arabia, who have each won the tournament three times, but they will also secure a place in the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil.
With the World Cup also set to be played in Brazil just a year later, the Confederations Cup looms as a key lead-up tournament to football’s most prestigious event.
Zaccheroni replaced Takeshi Okada as coach after Japan reached the round of 16 in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and in the Italian’s first match at the helm the side recorded an historic 1-0 win over Argentina in a friendly.
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Shinji Kagawa said Zaccheroni had left the players in no doubt as to the importance of the Asian Cup.
“The manager told us, ‘Let’s win the Asian Cup and take part in the Confederations Cup’. If the manager spells out a goal that way, it makes life easier for the players,” Kagawa said.
After a painful 3-2 loss to Saudi Arabia in the semi-finals of the last Asian Cup in 2007, Gamba Osaka playmaker Yasuhito Endo believes anything less than victory this year will be a disappointment.
“I have set my sights on the title. That’s all I’m thinking of,” Endo said.
“I have realised how difficult it is to become champions.”
“It is tough to take it upon yourself to win any game in Asia. But I will play with confidence in myself and my team-mates.”
Tue 4 January, 2011
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