Yoshida Wants Japan To Fight Asian Cup Pressure

Japan captain Maya Yoshida has called on his side to cope with pressure to perform at the Asian Cup as they look to make up for their flop four years ago.

Abu Dhabi, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Jan, 2019 ) :Japan captain Maya Yoshida has called on his side to cope with pressure to perform at the Asian Cup as they look to make up for their flop four years ago.

The Southampton defender admitted on Tuesday that several of the Japan team were still smarting from their shock penalty shootout loss to United Arab Emirates in the quarter-finals last time out in Australia.

"That was a huge disappointment but this is a new team with a new manager," Yoshida told reporters before the Blue Samurai's opening Group F game against Turkmenistan in Abu Dhabi.

"After the World Cup last year expectation is really high," he added, pointing to Japan's surprise run to the last 16 in Russia, where only a remarkable comeback by Belgium from two goals down prevented them reaching the quarter-finals.

"But unlike the World Cup the expectation on Japan is different at an Asian Cup, where we are expected to win. That brings its own pressure obviously and we need to be able to cope with that and not freeze up." Japan captured the last of their record four Asian Cups in 2011, but coach Hajime Moriyasu has brought a new-look team to this year's tournament, leaving out the likes of Dortmund playmaker Shinji Kagawa and Leicester striker Shinji Okazaki.

Unbeaten in five matches under Moriyasu, the Japanese will rely instead on the mercurial Takumi Minamino and Ritsu Doan.

"We've brought in some fresh blood since the World Cup but we have a nice mix of youth and experience," insisted Moriyasu.

"It's a chance for the young players to forge their own paths as Japan internationals."