Japan are currently the most successful team at the Asian Cup arena with four championship trophies. After unexpectedly stopping in the last eight four years ago, the Samurai Blue are determined for revenge in the United Arab Emirates. With a squad stock-full of players who have seen action in top leagues around the world, coach Hajime Moriyasu’s troops have been emerging as the favourites for this year’s crown.
As assessed by experts, Japanese players rank first in Asia concerning skills, discipline and diverse playing style. Therefore, it is undeniable that the Vietnamese team will face numerous difficulties in tonight’s game.
Despite that fact, the Golden Dragons still stand a chance to create a stir. Seen as the title favourites, Japan will head into the quarterfinal clash against Vietnam under huge psychological pressure. Speaking to the media, the Japan head coach admitted that it would be a challenge for his players. “In the tournament, Japan introduce some new and inexperienced players. We need to learn through each match. The Vietnam encounter will undoubtedly be a challenge”. Coach Hajime Moriyasu added that his side currently face some fitness problems ahead of the quarterfinals. “Some of my players are fatigued after the round of 16. The whole team are utilising the remaining time to recover fitness for the clash against Vietnam”.
Besides, Moriyasu will be without suspended Newcastle United striker Yoshinori Muto, which is good news for the Vietnamese side in their bid to create a miracle against the Asian football powerhouse.
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Throughout their Asian Cup 2019 campaign, the Golden Dragons have demonstrated a resilient and brave fighting spirit in every match.
On the opposite, Vietnam will head into the quarterfinal match without any pressure, with even a very comfortable mood and great confidence after making the last eight of the continental showpiece for the second time in history.
Throughout their Asian Cup 2019 campaign, the Golden Dragons have demonstrated a resilient and brave fighting spirit in every match, which has helped them come through a tough group, also featuring former champions Iran and Iraq, before rallying from a goal down to beat in-form Jordan on penalties in the last 16.
With the skillful, ambitious, cohesive and highly disciplinary players, trained and inspired through the hands of Park Hang-seo, the current generation of Vietnamese football has full reason not to fear any opponents. It is strongly hoped that Park’s warriors will carry on with the brave fighting spirit of their previous matches to surge past powerhouse Japan to make the last four of the continental showpiece, thus opening up a new glorious page for Vietnamese football.
