We have to play at high level if we are to compete against Iran and Korea Republic, says Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu

Hajime Moriyasu made eight changes in the Japan line-up against Indonesia.

Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu commended his players for an improved performance in the 3-1 win over Indonesia in Group D of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 on Wednesday as the Samurai Blue bounced back from their loss to Iraq to confirm their place in the last 16.

Ayase Ueda’s double, including a sixth minute penalty, sent the former champions on their way to victory before Justin Hubner’s own goal ensured Sandy Walsh’s injury time strike was nothing more than a consolation as Japan claimed second spot in the standings.

“After the last game we looked back and tried to find the things we had to fix and I think the players were all focused and able to perform at 100 per cent,” said Moriyasu, who made eight changes to the line-up that lost 2-1 to Jesus Casas’s side.

“In the end it was 3-1 and we improved. I asked my players to be more aggressive at the start and they showed this. We got the penalty very early in the game and that allowed us to control the game for the entire 90 minutes.”

Ueda capped Japan’s rapid start with the opener from the spot but the Samurai Blue had to wait until seven minutes into the second half before the Feyenoord forward hit the second from close range.

He was denied a hat-trick when his shot was deflected into the Indonesian own goal by Hubner with two minutes remaining, while Walsh pounced to reduce the deficit to two a minute into added time.

The Japanese now face the prospect of playing Korea Republic in the Round of 16 with the Islamic Republic of Iran potentially lying in wait for the winners of that blockbuster tie in the quarter-final, but Moriyasu is unfazed.

“Every team in this competition is at a good level, especially the teams that have advanced to the Round of 16,” he said. “They have the strength and the level required and that’s why they have advanced. But we have to be determined to win any match we’re in.

“(Iran and Korea Republic) are two of the top level teams in Asia. They play in different styles from Japan and I also respect both teams.

“We have to play at a high level if we are to compete against these two teams and if we play them it will be a high level match for us and for the people watching on as well.”

While Japan are certain of progressing, Indonesia head coach Shin Tae-yong admitted “anything can happen” regarding his team’s continued involvement in the competition.

The Merah Putih finished third with three points and need results in the two remaining groups to go their way on Thursday if they are to advance to the last 16, but Shin believes his side have already benefited from their involvement in the tournament.

“As a head coach, this kind of competition gives me some impression of the improvement needed,” said the former Korea Republic midfielder.

“I am coaching the weakest team among the 24 teams in this competition so this is another experience. The Indonesia team is 146th in the FIFA ranking, but our performance level is not the same as our FIFA ranking.

“We’re the youngest team in our group and by having the experience of playing the best teams in Asia it will help our team to keep improving.”

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