Japan moving forward without Honda

Japan are facing up to their first international tourmanent without Keisuke Honda since the 2007 Asian Cup, but coach Hajime Moriyasu is sure that the four-time continental champions can thrive in the United Arab Emirates.

Japan's national football team head coach Hajime Moriyasu (L) and team captain Maya Yoshida Source: AFP

Samurai Blue kick off their 2019 challenge against Turkmenistan on Wednesday but fans in Abu Dhabi will not be treated to the sight of the Melbourne Victory superstar who stepped down from an illustrious international career after the 2018 World Cup.

Asked by The World Game at the Al Nayhan Stadium, Moriyasu answered that Honda is part of Japan’s illustrious past but he has now to look to the future.

“Honda is a great player and has shown that in Australia,” Moriyasu said. “But he does not have the intention to play for Japan and he is no longer part of the national team.”

Japan have also been grouped with Oman and Uzbekistan but Moriyasu, appointed after the World Cup, is ushering in a new generation of talent.

“After the World Cup, we have had many young players in the squad but this does not mean we don’t need the experienced players anymore," the coach said.

"For me the best option is to have a mixture of both. It is about finding a balance.”

Maya Yoshida, now captain after the post World Cup retirement of Makoto Hasebe, is wary of Turkmenistan especially after watching defending champions Australia lose to Jordan on Sunday in Al Ain.

“Looking at the ranking of the other teams in our group, then it is lower than Japan’s,” said the Southampton defender.

“But we saw Australia lost to Jordan. Also, South Korea scored only once in their game [in the 1-0 win over the Philippines]. We know that the first game is very important and we have to be at our best.”

Yoshida has called upon the younger players to step into the hole left by the likes of Honda and Hasebe.

“Now we are heading to the next World Cup, we need to build a base in the team,” he said.

“Players have announced their retirement and now we have new players and a new team. We need to build on this responsibility so the Asian Cup has a big meaning for us.”

That is especially true after Japan were eliminated at the quarterfinal stage by United Arab Emirates in Australia four years ago.

"We had a huge disappointment in Australia but now we have a new coach," said Yoshida.

"After Russia, expectations became really high. Compared to the World Cup, here at the Asian Cup we need to win and are expected to win."