Japan boss says nothing to fear from tough World Cup draw

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu says his crew don’t have anything to concern and are aiming for at the least the quarterfinals after being drawn in a tricky World Cup group containing former champions Spain and Germany.

Friday’s draw for the World Cup in Qatar later this yr threw Japan into Group E together with heavyweights Spain and Germany, plus the winner of a play-off between Costa Rica and New Zealand.

With the highest two from every group reaching the knockout rounds, Japan might hardly have a tougher process and a few are already calling theirs the “Group of Loss of life.”

“To be drawn in opposition to groups which have expertise of profitable the World Cup is significant for us as a result of we’re aiming to tackle one of the best on the earth,” stated the Japan boss, in accordance with NHK.

“We’ll begin analyzing our opponents, however we gained’t be taking a look at them as being higher than us. We need to carry out our personal strengths.”

Japan reached the final 16 in Russia 4 years in the past and gave Belgium an enormous scare earlier than taking place 3-2, however they’ve by no means gone so far as the final eight of the World Cup.

Moriyasu is hoping that his crew, who’re twenty third within the FIFA rankings and might be making their seventh straight World Cup look, could make a slice of historical past when the motion will get underway in Qatar in November.

“Our purpose is to get to the quarterfinals, however we’ll take every sport because it comes, analyzing our opponents and making use of our personal strengths,” he stated.

“I need us to have one of the best preparation and provides it all the pieces we’ve bought.”