ABU DHABI (REUTERS) - Japan captain Maya Yoshida says his side must learn from their painful Asian Cup final defeat and use the experience to make a breakthrough at the next World Cup by getting beyond the last 16 for the first time.
Japan had been looking for a fifth Asian title but were stunned 3-1 in the final by Qatar in the United Arab Emirates on Friday (Feb 1).
Invited to take part in the Copa America in June and July, and with their qualification campaign for the 2022 World Cup set to begin in September, there is little time for Japan to reflect on their disappointment.
"Our first target is, of course, to qualify for the World Cup, and then get over the wall at which we were stopped last time, the round of 16. That is an objective for Japanese football," Yoshida said after the final.
"In order to do that, we have the Copa America coming up and then in the autumn the World Cup qualifiers, and we have to make sure we learn from this defeat.
"We have to capitalise upon this experience looking ahead to what comes next. Of course I'm disappointed, but we have to look forward."
Yoshida said he felt a sense of responsibility for the surprise defeat by Qatar, who will host the World Cup in 2022.
"For the first and second goals, we conceded from a player right in front of me, and I really feel a big sense of regret that I wasn't able to lead the team to the title," he added.
Both Japan and Qatar will compete in Brazil as invitees when the Copa America starts on June 14.
Japan is also building towards the Tokyo 2020 Olympics with coach Hajime Moriyasu saying in the past he was aiming to match or better Japan's bronze medal achieved in 1968.
Despite originally considering sending an Under-23 squad to Brazil in preparation for the Olympics, the Japanese Football Association announced in December it would be sending a full-strength squad.
Japan's next fixture is a friendly against Colombia on March 22.
UEFA Champions League Final live screening - ticketing
Soccer Football - Premier League - Cardiff City v Everton - Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - February 26, 2019 Everton's Gylfi Sigurdsson celebrates scoring their second goal with Bernard
Football news - Gylfi Sigurdsson double helps Everton sink
Football News -LONDON • With Granit Xhaka facing a late fitness test and Lucas Torreira suspended, Unai Emery has challenged Denis Suarez to finally make an impact in Arsenal's bid to climb back
Football: Improved Denis Suarez ready to make impact, say
How The Premier League Title Race And Top-Four Battle Will Be Decided landing but United need to make it that far with their hopes still alive. Chelsea have must-win matches against
Singapore prepare in Doha desert heat for crucial Asian Cup qualifier in September's 1-1 friendly draw with Hong Kong, a creditable 0-0 draw away to Bahrain in their opening AFC Asian Cup
JDT players miss start of Malaysia camp for Asian Cup qualifier
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola predicts his side will "suffer" against fourth-tier Newport County in their FA Cup fifth round match on Saturday but has urged his players to adapt to a
Football: Guardiola expects Man City to suffer in tricky FA
Soccer Football - Champions League - Round of 16 Second Leg - Real Madrid v Ajax Amsterdam - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - March 5, 2019 Ajax's Lasse Schone scores their fourth goal REUTERS/Su
Shellshocked Madrid knocked out of Champions League by
At Ajax, One Star Goes, Another Is Going, and More Are Always
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 23, 2019, with the headline 'Rival fans in S'pore believe title race still wide open'. Print Edition | Subscribe
Nicole Chia, News & Top Stories - The Straits Times
Football: Pochettino takes blame but slams 'sloppy' Spurs. Pochettino takes blame but slams 'sloppy' Spurs. "Watching now of course I can accept it was a mistake the shape we used. But
'I made a mistake': Pochettino takes blame but slams 'sloppy
Tottenham Hotspur Mauricio Pochettino is disappointed over his team's loss to Bournemouth as he sent-off two men in their 1-0 defeat. Pochettino defiant as poor Tottenham form continues. By
Pochettino defiant as poor Tottenham form continues - Reuters
Raheem Sterling honoured with award for fighting racism
For Albirex Niigata S and Shuhei Hoshino, the magical number this week is 15. Find out who made FOX Sports Asia's Singapore Premier League (SPL) Team of the Week 14.
Messi shines as Barca survive scare to see off Rayo Lionel Messi created a goal and scored another as Barcelona came from behind to beat struggling Rayo Vallecano 3-1 at home on Saturday and stay seven points clear at the top of La Liga.
Messi shines as Barca survive scare to see off Rayo
0 comments:
Post a Comment