Japan braced for stormy clash with North Korea
Reuters - Thursday 01 September 2011, 16:01
TOKYO - Asian champions Japan are bracing
themselves for a tricky examination from North Korea in a
politically charged 2014 World Cup qualifier on Friday set to be
played in typhoon conditions.
North Korea coach Yun Jong-su insisted the visitors had
nothing to fear and would give Japan all they could handle in
the Group C opener in Saitama.
"It will be a very difficult game for us tomorrow against
very strong opponents," Yun told reporters. "However, we have
the heart and fighting spirit to beat them."
Matches between the two rivals are usually always stormy
encounters, while the approaching typhoon could prove a useful
equaliser for North Korea.
Looking unflappable, Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni,
unbeaten in 11 games since taking charge of the Blue Samurai,
kept his answers short and to the point.
"We have to control the match for the full 90 minutes," said
the Italian, who led Japan to a record fourth Asian Cup title in
Qatar in January.
"I trust in my players to do the job. North Korea played at
the [2010] World Cup so they have some pedigree. But our form is
fantastic recently so I'm confident we will go out and win."
Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are the other two teams in the
group but all the attention will be on the showdown in Saitama.
Japan's matches against North Korea have frequently been
played against a backdrop of political tension relating to World
War II, North Korea's nuclear ambitions and the kidnapping of
Japanese citizens.
It had been feared Friday's game would have to be pushed
back by 24 hours because of the weather.
"We would prefer a decent pitch in good conditions,"
admitted Zaccheroni, who has lost talismanic midfielder Keisuke
Honda through injury for the game.
"But we have options and the ability to adapt. This is where
the pressure really starts but the players are up for this."