Doha: Philippe Troussier will draw inspiration from Japan’s success at the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 when he leads Vietnam against his old employers in the nations’ intriguing Group D opener in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 on Sunday.
The Frenchman led the Japanese to the AFC Asian Cup title in Lebanon in 2000 but will go head-to-head against the Samurai Blue for the first time at Al Thumama Stadium aiming to do to what Hajime Moriyasu’s side did against Germany and Spain a little over a year ago.
Japan handed the European duo surprise defeats in the group phase of the Fifa World Cup to progress to the knockout rounds and Troussier hopes to use those performances as a template as his current team eye a place in the Round of 16.
“It’s important to be reactive, to disturb them, to destroy them, to cut the line between them, to make them know we can be aggressive and maybe to make trouble to the work of this team, like Japan made big trouble against Germany,” Troussier said.
“(Spain lost) not because Japan was better, Japan destroyed them and it’s clear we are in this position.”
The nations met at the quarterfinal stage of the last AFC Asian Cup, with Japan handing the Vietnamese a 1-0 defeat after the Southeast Asians had secured their place in the knockout rounds by the slimmest of margins.
Moriyasu, head coach of Japan, confirmed Kaoru Mitoma will not start against Vietnam as he continues to recover from an ankle injury sustained in the Premier League last month and that the Brighton & Hove Albion winger will be assessed ahead of the second group game against Iraq.
The Japan coach took his nation to the 2019 final and he will be looking to manage his squad as best as possible as he attempts to go one step further in 2023. “Mr. Troussier is the former coach of Japan and he knows Japanese football well,” said Moriyasu. “I’m sure he’s done a lot of analysis of our team but we have done a lot of analysis of their team too. My coaching staff have been working hard on this.
“It will be a very good game, but we have to have balance between being aggressive and also be cautious of their attack as well.
“We have seven matches if we go to the final so we have to take each match by itself and I think all our players will be participating as a team. We have to think about the seven matches in total.”
Iran Vs Palestine
Islamic Republic of Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei is eyeing a winning start when his side take on Palestine in their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 opener on Sunday as he returns to the country where he played four decades ago.
The 60-year-old IR Iran boss had previously managed Team Melli in the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, where they reached the quarterfinals, but he believes the game in Asia has made huge leaps since the tournament held in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
“I would like to say I’m very happy being in Qatar. I have very good memories here, I played here 40 years ago at Al Sadd Club and I have very happy memories here,” said Ghalenoei, who wore the colours of the Qatari giants between 1987 and 1989, leading them to two consecutive league titles.
“I believe this Asian Cup will be one of the best because Qatar has experience from the World Cup so they will organise a great competition.”
Meanwhile, Palestine head coach Makram Daboub hailed his upcoming opponents as one of his favourites to win the title, but insisted his squad are relishing the challenge.
“Iran are one of the best teams in the continent. They have a lot of top players and are a talented group. It’s between them, Korea Republic and Japan for the title in my opinion. Recently we played very well against Australia, Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia, so in one match, we fancy our chances, and we can dream of going through to the next round.” said Daboub.
The Tunisian tactician has been working in Palestinian football since 2010 before eventually being appointed head coach of the national team in 2021, and he believes his players are used to overcoming challenges.
UAE Vs Hong Kong
Head coach Paulo Bento will warn his United Arab Emirates players against underestimating Hong Kong when the two sides meet in their opening AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Group C tie on Sunday.
The East Asian team are the lowest ranked side in the competition but Bento said his players must be cautious in their approach.
“We have a lot of respect for our opponents. They play an intense game and are very good at making transitions, so I don’t think the match is going to be easy at all,” said the former South Korea head coach.
“Moreover, we have a fairly young team and while it’s a great opportunity for the players to experience a competition of this stature, it would have been great if a couple of our more experienced players, who are nursing injuries, had been available for the first match."
“But in the end, what matters is the attitude and despite being young and maybe less experienced than the players in many other teams, these boys have the hunger to make their country proud, which to me is the utmost priority,” said Bento.
Hong Kong head coach Jorn Andersen was pragmatic in his expectations, despite his side qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup for the first time since 1968 and advancing to the 2022 Asian Games semifinals, also for the first time.
“We are coming here after being away for over five decades and we are very aware of the gap that exists between us and some of the higher-ranked teams. But on a positive note, it is a great opportunity for Hong Kong, China football,” said Andersen.
Despite setting low expectations, the Norwegian said the recent addition of players such as Everton Camargo and Michael Udebuluzor had already raised the bar and fostered a renewed sense of confidence in the team. -- AFC
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