Asian Cup Preview: Japan to take cautious approach against Thailand

Under-strength Japan will be desperate to avoid any slip-ups when they play a Group D game against Thailand on Saturday in Chongqing.

The defending champions, who toiled to a 1-0 win over Oman, will be hoping that three points against the Thais will book their ticket to the quarter-finals, but their hope will come true only if Iran fail to beat Oman in the earlier match. Should that be the case, then Japan will have the advantage of knowing that if they can then beat Thailand, they will not have to worry about their progression to the last eight coming down to their final match with Iran.

But either way they still have to beat the Thais. A point could be enough for Japan but then they would have to avoid defeat when they face Branko Ivankovic's side and hope that Thailand doesn't beat Oman by more than two goals.

Not surprisingly Japan coach Zico is expressing caution.

"We know Thailand can be a dangerous team on the break so we must be careful," said the Brazilian, who, with no major injury concerns, is expected to name an unchanged starting 11 from the team that labored to a 1-0 win over Oman.

Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi, the only one of the 22-man squad who played in the 3-1 friendly win over Thailand in Bangkok in 1997 when the two sides last met, will keep goal behind a likely back four consisting of Akira Kaji, Makoto Tanaka, Yuji Nakazawa and skipper Tseuneyasu Miyamoto, who has been tight-lipped over rumors linking him with a move from Gamba Osaka to Vitesse Arnhem in Holland.

Despite an anonymous outing against Oman, Zico could still keep faith with Takayuki Sazuki who will line up alongside Keiji Tamada, one of three Japan players that stood out in the opening match according to Thai coach Chatchai Paholpat.

Chatchai's main concern remains influential playmaker Therdsak Chaiman. A hamstring injury ruled him out of Thailand's 3-0 loss to Iran in their opener and he is unlikely to have recovered in time for the Japan match.

Binh Dinh midfielder Issawa Singthong stepped in for Therdsak but lasted just 55 minutes before being replaced by Sakda Joemdee, who plays alongside Therdsak at East Asia Bank in Vietnam.

Other than Therdsak, Chatchai is also sweating over the health of left-back Rangsan Vivatchaichok who is laid low with a fever.

If the Tobacco Monopoly defender hasn't recovered in time, his club mate Nataporn Panrit is expected to slot into the position, with BEC Tero Sasana's Narongchai Vachiraban, who came on in injury time against Iran, an option to fill the defensive void.

However Chatchai chooses to reshuffle his deck, he has vowed to maintain his favoured 4-5-1 system, with the lone striker role against Japan expected to be handed to the livewire Sutee Suksomkit.

Despite fielding just one up front, Thailand have a very attack orientated midfield that will crowd the center of the pitch until the opportunity arises to burst forward at pace. And it is the speed of the Thais on the break that is influencing Zico's 'approach with caution' strategy.

"Rather than just attack all out, we will look to be patient, keep our shape and take our chances when they come," he said. "As in all matches, we will need to be aware of getting hit on the counter-attack."

Source: Xinhua