Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Melbourne: Coach Javier Aguirre expects Jordan to come out fighting at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on Tuesday as defending champions Japan seek to claim the positive result needed to secure qualification for the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 as Group D winners.
Four-time time winners Japan have already beaten Palestine and Iraq at the start of the continental campaign, but Aguirre’s side still need to avoid defeat against the two-time quarter-finalists to progress at the top of the table.
Jordan, though, are also still in the hunt to qualify after beating Palestine 5-1 on Friday and must themselves at least avoid a second defeat of the campaign and then wait for the result in Canberra between Iraq and Palestine.
“Tomorrow (Tuesday) we will have a good fight against Jordan who have had two very good games, especially when they played against Palestine when they showed good speed and agility, so we hope it will not be so hot and that we will play with good pitch conditions to show a good spectacle for both teams,” said Aguirre.
“We will go to win the game and we will not do calculations. We will respect Jordan, but we will go to win and not for a draw.”
Aguirre has seen Japan win their last five games, but defeat against Jordan raises the possibility of the Samurai Blue suffering only their second group stage exit at the AFC Asian Cup should Iraq also prevail against Palestine, a series of results which would create a three-way tie at the top of Group D.
This would then involve potentially comparing the records of the three teams in terms of goal differences and goals scored, although Japan will look to avoid this as the meeting with Jordan is set to see another milestone reached by a member of the team.
After midfielder Yasuhito Endo marked his 150th appearance for Japan in the 1-0 victory over Iraq on Friday, Makoto Hasebe is set to make his record-breaking 56th appearance as captain against Jordan, having matched the previous mark set by Tsuneyasu Miyamoto during last week’s win.
“Makoto is a natural leader as his voice calms everyone with his experience and together with Eiji (Kawashima) and Keisuke (Honda), who are the other captains, they control the team,” added Aguirre.
“Yesterday (Sunday) was his (Hasebe) birthday so he had a complete day yesterday and I hope it will be the same on Tuesday.”
Photo: WSG