World news – GB – Football: Japan coach Moriyasu expects a tough test against Mexico-Mainichi

GRAZ, Austria (Kyodo) – Japan’s friendly coach Hajime Moriyasu said against Mexico on Tuesday that he should give the blue samurai a clear picture of their position in the world. .

The team began final preparations on Monday on the eve of the meeting with World No.. 11- Mexico at the Lebenauer Stadium in Graz.

It will be the fourth consecutive friendly match for Japan in Europe, with a squad made up entirely of players based on the continent.

In an online press conference, Moriyasu said Mexico will be Japan’s toughest test after matches against Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Panama.. . Samurai Blue, ranked 27, defeated Mexico just once in five previous encounters.

“Mexico is a regular in the World Cup and has one of the strongest teams in the world. Playing with it will give us the best picture of where we are in terms of our power and our international standing..

Mexico has no glaring weaknesses. They are tactically smart, push back hard and apply a lot of pressure, so we need to find a way to counter that..  »

Japan captain, center-back Maya Yoshida, said that the Samurai Blue team aims to keep its fourth clean sheet in a row against a strong Mexican attack that includes Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Raul Jimenez and Napoli winger Herving Lozano. .

“We always aim to clean our windows. (Mexico) has very talented forwards, and I want to avoid being defeated individually or as a team, « said Yoshida, who has played in all three of the past three matches for Japan.. .

Travel restrictions aimed at combating the new Coronavirus have prompted the Japan Football Association to set the final list for international friendly matches in Europe without any players from the domestic Japanese league.. .

The current entry rules are a barrier to foreign teams coming to Japan, while Japanese players returning from abroad will not be available for their clubs while they are under quarantine..

The Samurai Blue tied 0-0 with Cameroon in their first game of 2020 in October. 9 at Stadion Galgenwaard in Utrecht, Netherlands, and defeated Ivory Coast 1-0 on the same ground four days later. They beat Panama 1-0 in their first two friendlies in Graz on Friday.

Japan to resume the second round of Asian World Cup 2022 qualifiers in March after being postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. .

Japan, Mexico national soccer team, Mexico, Hajime Moriyasu