Dubai: Japan midfielder Wataru Endo praised his side's resilience, after they made it five successive AFC Asian Cup wins with a 1-0 victory against Vietnam in the UAE 2019 quarter-finals on Thursday.



Ritsu Doan's 57th-minute penalty sealed the Samurai Blue's fifth win in a row by a singe-goal margin, securing a place in the final four for the fifth time in the last six editions of the competition.

Like Turkmenistan, Oman and Uzbekistan before them, Vietnam made Hajime Moriyasu's side work hard for the final result, but while a consummate Japanese performance has yet to materialise, Endo said he was pleased with their building momentum.



"I think the way we’re controlling games after we score is really good at the moment, we’re able to play with very good risk management," said the 25-year-old.

"Today we had more of the ball and didn’t place too much of a burden on the defence, making chances and playing at our rhythm. I think that was good."

"For us the fact we are battling with perseverance at the moment is a good thing, and as a team we’re really doing well at working out how we want matches to play out - especially in defence. I think that’s really good."

 


Match Highlights - January 24

With a semi-final showdown against Islamic Republic of Iran in Al Ain to come on Monday, Japan are potentially 180 minutes away from becoming the first nation to win five AFC Asian Cups, but Endo believes his side may need to become sharper in the final third if they are to make that dream a reality.

"I think the fact we’re not adding extra goals after we open the scoring could become an issue," he revealed.

"For our attacking play, we made chances today too and I think we just need to finish them off. I believe in the forward players and am sure they’ll come through in the next game."

With veterans like Makoto Hasebe, Shinji Okazaki, Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa absent from the squad, and many of those in it lacking significant experience on the senior international stage, Japan have brought a relatively fresh-faced playing list to the UAE.

In Maya Yoshida, Yuto Nagatomo and Shuichi Gonda they also retain three squad members from their successful 2011 campaign, and Belgium-based Endo believes the mix is just right for another shot at the title.

"We have young players, but I have the image that they are also really strong mentally, so that’s not something I’m especially worried about," he said.

"There are also several veteran players too, and they really support us with regards to the mental aspects.

"Younger players try one way or another to show their individual strength, and while there will be pressure in the next game we want to play with a sense of enjoyment."


Source: the-afc.com