Coach's off-field problems overshadow Japan's title hopes

Aguirre was named in December by anti-corruption prosecutors as being among 41 people allegedly involved in a match-fixing investigation in Spain, though the 56-year-old Mexican has repeatedly denied the claims.

Coach's off-field problems overshadow Japan's title hopes

(Reuters)





While fans took to social media calling for Aguirre to step down, the Japan Football Association endorsed their manager and said he would be in charge at the Jan. 9-31 tournament in Australia.

The former Mexico coach also reached out to fans this week, holding a media conference to again deny the allegations and ask supporters, who were disappointed at the Blue Samurai's group stage World Cup exit, to get behind his team.

"I would like to tell our supporters to stay calm during this investigation. We need their support to take the Asian Cup title," Aguirre said.

"I will be concentrating and preparing for the Japan team to win the Asian Cup."

Japan have an impressive record at the Asian tournament, having won a record four titles in seven appearances.

Three of those titles have come in the last four events emphasising the impact of co-hosting the 2002 World Cup had in cementing them as an Asian powerhouse.

Aguirre was given the mantle of seeking a fifth title when he replaced Alberto Zaccheroni after the Brazil World Cup campaign and set about tinkering with the squad.

He initially ignored several veterans, including record caps holder Yasuhito Endo, to give younger players the opportunity to stake their claims.

While his side have beaten Jamaica, Honduras and fellow Asian Cup finalists Australia, they were demolished 4-0 by a Neymar-inspired Brazil in an October friendly in Singapore and pundits suggested his experimentation had failed.

Aguirre brought back several veterans for the Asian Cup with captain Makoto Hasebe, who has been plagued by knee injuries, and Endo providing stability in midfield with the attacking thrust coming from AC Milan's Keisuki Honda, the 2011 Player of the Tournament.

Honda and Germany-based Shinji Okazaki will also be expected to provide the bulk of the firepower after Aguirre ignored J-League top scorer Yoshito Okubo and in-form Gamba Osaka forward Takashi Usami for the tournament.

Japan open their tournament in Pool D against Palestine on Jan. 12 before facing Iraq and Jordan.





(Reporting by Greg Stutchbury in Wellington; Editing by Peter Rutherford)


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: Reuters


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world