By Alastair Himmer
HANOI, July 18 - Japan are banking on their
samurai spirit to overcome Australia in Saturday's Asian Cup
quarter-final -- and predict a 3-0 win.
There will be no shortage of needle in Hanoi with the
Japanese desperate to avenge a 3-1 defeat by the Socceroos at
the last year's World Cup in Germany.
"We can't lose twice," Japan defender Yuji Nakazawa told
reporters. "Once is bad enough. We haven't forgotten about that
and if it happened again it would be devastating.
"We will be right up for this game because it's Australia.
We'll win about 3-0."
Japan, bidding to win a third successive Asian Cup title,
have looked comfortable despite Vietnam's fierce heat and
finished top of Group B with seven points.
Nakazawa is wary of the threat posed by English Premier
League players such as Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell and Tim
Cahill, who scored two late goals in last year's World Cup
clash.
Nine minutes of madness in their opening game in
Kaiserslautern left Japan shell-shocked and set the tone for
their meek exit from the tournament.
"When the time comes to play Australia this weekend I'm
sure a lot of emotions will be there at the start," said
Nakazawa. "We can't let that happen again."
Pre-tournament favourites Australia finally found their
form by thrashing co-hosts Thailand 4-0 to avoid an
embarrassing early elimination.
Japan coach Ivica Osim has attacked the country's
hyper-critical media for putting too much pressure on the
holders to beat a side of Australia's quality.
The Bosnian had his side practising penalties in Tuesday's
training session, ordering players to sprint around the pitch
twice as punishment for missing a spot kick.
Goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi, whose superb record of
saving penalties helped Japan retain the Asian Cup in China
three years ago, made no bones about his feelings.
"We want revenge," he said. "They have lots of players from
the World Cup here like Kewell and Viduka. It will be a special
game."