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.
LOS ANGELES: David Beckham called his former team LA Galaxy his "family" and thanked Los Angeles for embracing him at the unveiling of his statue before the Major League Soccer club's season-opener on Saturday.
Soccer: Beckham salutes LA Galaxy and Los Angeles as statue
Nazri - Racism Is The Last Refuge Of A Scoundrel. BN secretary-general Nazri Abdul Aziz said his speech, where he said a non-Muslim should not be an attorney-general, was merely a reflection of grassroots sentiment.
I believe in The Lions: Yoshida | Sportstons
sportstons.com/soccer/i-believe-in-the-lions-yoshida/
• In 2002, he signed for Jurong FC and played under V. Sundram Moorthy, then player-coach for the Cobras. • Retired in 2002 and returned to Reysol, where he rose through the ranks from youth-team coach to technical director and then the head coach. While at Reysol, he helped to produce national players like Marseille right-back Hiroki Sakai.
PDF Why Trust Is Critical to Team Success - Center for Creative
New chapter for Tottenham as stadium hosts 1st game When teenager Rayan Clarke rolled a pass off the centre spot at Tottenham Hotspur's gleaming new stadium on Sunday it kicked off a new
Football: New chapter for Tottenham as stadium hosts first game
Meanwhile, relatives of missing Premier League player Emiliano Sala on Saturday began a private search for his plane, which disappeared over the Channel, after local police called off their own rescue mission. The news was announced by an online fund-raising campaign for the operation and confirmed by a friend of the Argentine striker's family.
Emiliano Sala campaign raises £130,000 to fund private search
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola believes the club have raised the standard of the Premier League just as Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus did in golf and Usain Bolt did in athletics. City won the title last season with 100 points and this year could retain it with 98 if they win their final three games, starting with Burnley on Sunday.
Guardiola says City, Liverpool have set new Premier League
Qatar coach Felix Sanchez has vowed to "isolate" his players from politics at the Asian Cup, which is taking place in the United Arab Emirates during a diplomatic crisis between the countries.
Qatar Coach to 'Isolate' Team from Gulf Politics at AFC Asian
The deadline for Cardiff City to pay the first instalment of the £15m transfer fee for Emiliano Sala has been extended until Wednesday, 27 February. The Bluebirds were due to make the first
Nantes complain to Fifa that Cardiff have not paid Emiliano
2018/19 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit will continue with its stops making a stop at Harrah's New Orleans running a series of exciting events from the 9th till 20th May, 2019.
Dustin Stewart Leads 8 in WSOPC Harrah's New Orleans Main
A Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Voluntary Academy student who has represented England in karate is aiming for World and European Championship glory. Aron's ambition is to win a medal in team and individual events for both Under-21 and Senior European and World Championships.
Old Glory - Wikipedia
Sky Sports Premier League, Cardiff City Stadium He may not want to take that risk here as Chelsea look to bounce back from their defeat at Everton two weeks ago, which would keep them within
Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham handed top-four boost as
Jan 19, 2019 · Goals from Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford were enough for Manchester United to keep their winning run under Ole Gunnar Solskjær going with a 2-1 victory over Brighton at Old Trafford
Football: Arsene Wenger hails Leeds' Marcelo Bielsa for sportsmanship in Aston Villa draw. Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa asked his players to allow the visitors to score unchallenged when the game was
Wenger hails Leeds' Bielsa for sportsmanship in Villa draw
ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND - A joint World Cup bid by North and South Korea is being talked up by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. "I have been hearing for the Women's World Cup in 2023, the two
Infantino says joint Korean Women's World Cup bid possible
Football: Man City still teenagers in adult world of
England soccer captain Harry Kane received the MBE award on Thursday for services to football after leading the national team to the World Cup semi-final in Russia last Summer, according to Reuters. Prince William, the president of the English Football Association, presented
England soccer captain Harry Kane is made an MBE (Member of
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen