Tehran: Keisuke Honda has admitted that although he was not satisfied with Japan’s performance in their 1-1 draw with Iraq in Group B of the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 qualifiers on Tuesday, a draw was a fair result.
The Samurai Blue went into the game knowing a win would move them three points clear of Saudi Arabia and Australia at the top of the standings and they took the lead early on through Yuya Osako.
But in stifling hot conditions at Tehran’s PAS Stadium, Iraq came back into the game after the interval and Mahdi Kamil leveled on 72 minutes to leave Japan just a point ahead of the chasing pack with two games remaining.
“It was an away game for us but I’m not satisfied with how we played,” said Honda, who was celebrating his 31st birthday. “But they also played well so a tied game is okay.
“It was too hot but I think we concentrated well for 90 minutes. In these temperatures you cannot play a pressing game, when they have the ball you have to stay in your own half and wait for them to come and attack.”
Japan and Saudi Arabia had been clear leaders in Group B for some time and both looked set to advance to the FIFA World Cup with minimal fuss.
But back-to-back victories for Australia, including Thursday’s 3-2 defeat of the Saudis, has brought the Socceroos right back into contention as only one point separates the top three with just two automatic qualification spots up for grabs.
“We have to solve some problems for the next game, but we know what these problems are so it’s okay,” added Honda.
“We have a break now and the players have time to improve our physical condition. We also had a lot of injured players for this game but I’m sure they will come back for the next game.”
Although in the immediate aftermath of the tie, the impression given off by the Japanese team was one of dejection, the East Asians still have their qualification aspirations well within their own hands.
Next up is Australia at home and if Japan claim all three points they will open up an unassailable gap between themselves and the Socceroos but, should they fail to win, a nerve-racking final-day clash in Saudi Arabia awaits.
“For sure we have to win, but at the moment Australia have confidence and are playing well in every game,” noted Honda.
“In the last game when we played Australia (a 1-1 draw), we didn’t play well, but in the next we have to play well and win. I don’t want to complicate things by not winning against Australia in Japan."
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com