Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu hopes AFC Asian Cup performance can inspire people suffering after earthquake

Vietnam coach Troussier said his team will give their best against Japan.

Japan and Vietnam gear up for their first encounter of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 on 14th January. In the build-up to the much-anticipated clash, both teams’ managers, and captains gathered for a pre-match press conference today.

The atmosphere was charged with excitement and anticipation as journalists sought insights into the strategies, preparations, and expectations ahead of this crucial encounter.

Excerpts from the conversation of Japan:

Thoughts about the tournament and preparation

Hajime Moriyasu said “For the tournament, we are looking to win the tournament. We must take each match once at this time. We must improve as long as we go along the tournament.” He said that they are confident with the squad they have and will surely look to impress on the pitch. He added “As you may know, that, in Japan, there was a big earthquake in the contemporary shop on the New Year’s Day. I think many people died and suffered and still suffering from this earthquake. I think if our performance as a football team can inspire or encourage the people who are still suffering that is one thing that we can do to encourage these people.

Wataru Endo said, “As a team captain I am working hard to see how we can win this tournament, and also as the coach said Japan faced a tragic accident in the form of an earthquake recently, so we would like to play and win for those people.

Reason for training at 11

Hajime Moriyasu explained, “The main reason why we train 8-11-12 is to adjust our condition to our wake-up time, which is in the afternoon. When we train, you know, once we finish, it’s around the time when we start warming up for the match.

“So we can view how we can adjust with temperature of the match there. We will start training at 11 o’clock. Also to keep our conditions in our daily lives from breakfast to dinner we do that”

Strategy to not concede first

Captain Wataru Endo clarified, “Not to concede first and to score first is a very important part of the game, and even nowadays in modern football, it can be seen. We have to be proactive in the way we play.”

Managing different types of players

Hajime Moriyasu said about management “We have seven matches if we go to final, so we have to take each match by itself. I think all our players will be participating as a team. We have to think about 7 matches in total.”

Excerpts from the conversation of Vietnam:

About the team and the tournament

Philippe Troussier said, “Firstly we are very happy to participate in this tournament. Every four years it is a chance for the lads. It is a great opportunity to present my team, especially as it will be broadcast all over the world. I am very sure that our young players will be motivated. We are not coming with too much preparation because I just got the players ten days ago and I believe that eighty percent of the preparations come from the club.

Captain Do Hung Dung said, “For me, this is the second time I am representing Vietnam in the Asian Cup along with other players. For Vietnam, we have a lot of new young players who are performing first time in this Elite Continental tournament. We understand we are going to face a tough group with tough opponents, but we have worked the last eight to nine months with the new coach and would look to give our best.”

About the opponents

Troussier said, “Yes I know Japan very well and they are one of the teams that can win the Cup. We know they are very strong and it will be a tough match for us. We will give our hundred percent.

He added that our focus will be on teamwork and we will try to give Japan a test.

Game-plan

Philippe Troussier revealed, “We will be active and proactive. We will have the ball, control the ball, control decisions, and be patient. We have to face the low block of the opponents, whether it be Cambodia or Laos. When we are playing against a side like Japan, we are supposed to play reactive, that is to disturb them, to destroy them, to cut a line between them.

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