The gist of what Hajime Moriyasu had to say in Wednesday's pre-match news conference was clear: outcome matters more than process.
The Japan manager should know. His side have been far from convincing at the 2019 Asian Cup despite winning every match en route to Thursday's quarter-final against Vietnam at Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai.
The Blue Samurai topped Group F by beating Turkmenistan (3-2), Oman (1-0) and Uzbekistan (2-1). Then they overcame Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the last 16.
On the other hand, the Golden Dragons progressed as one of the four best third-placed teams in the group stage despite having won just one game in Group D - a 2-0 result against Yemen. And yet, there is good reason for Japan to be wary of Vietnam: they shocked Jordan in a penalty shootout in the last 16.
Moriyasu was cognisant of this fact on Wednesday.
“Vietnam are a good team and they have shown their abilities in no small way," he said. "They are one of the most improved teams in East Asia, and they will be motivated after reaching the last-eight stage.”
The former Japan international, however, insisted his side are improving with every game.
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Read more on Asian Cup:
Vietnam manager says they have nothing to lose ahead of Asian Cup quarter-final against Japan
Report: Son Heung-min's South Korea seal victory over Bahrain and place in quarter-finals
Ismail Matar: Captain confident his UAE side will show their true colours against Australia
John McAuley: Zaccheroni praises UAE's 'strong personality' in reaching quarter-finals
Stephen Nelmes: UAE's Asian Cup away kit incredible, but why is it so hard to find?
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“For us, the results are important because results cannot be reversed," the 50-year-old said. "Once you lose, you are out of the competition. So, we have been achieving the results and that has kept us in the competition.
"The performances are also important, but they can be improved as we progress in the tournament."
The other challenge for the 2011 champions has been a lack of preparation time; they return to action two days after beating Saudi Arabia.
“The time between matches is very tight, but players are ready for the game both physically and mentally,” he said.
Meanwhile, Japan midfielder Gaku Shibasaki said his team would have to play their best football against Vietnam.
“We watched their matches on video, and we have our gameplan prepared,” he said. “They are a young team and a good team, and a team with the momentum on their side.
"We obviously need to play better [than against Saudi Arabia], which we hope to do by strengthening the tactics and techniques."
But Shibasaki, himself only 26 years old, was eager to point out that Japan were also fielding a young side in the UAE.
"We are looking ahead to the 2022 World Cup, and the Asian Cup will be a stepping stone,” he said.
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
ICC T20 Team of 2021
Jos Buttler, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, David Miller, Tabraiz Shamsi, Josh Hazlewood, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mustafizur Rahman, Shaheen Afridi
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Top goalscorers in Europe
34 goals - Robert Lewandowski (68 points)
34 - Ciro Immobile (68)
31 - Cristiano Ronaldo (62)
28 - Timo Werner (56)
25 - Lionel Messi (50)
*29 - Erling Haaland (50)
23 - Romelu Lukaku (46)
23 - Jamie Vardy (46)
*NOTE: Haaland's goals for Salzburg count for 1.5 points per goal. Goals for Dortmund count for two points per goal.
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Get Out
Director: Jordan Peele
Stars: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford
Four stars
The%20specs
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What is a black hole?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Company%20profile
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Company%20Profile
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DUNGEONS%20%26%20DRAGONS%3A%20HONOR%20AMONG%20THIEVES
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Crime%20Wave
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BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
Company%C2%A0profile
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Second Test
In Dubai
Pakistan 418-5 (declared)
New Zealand 90 and 131-2 (follow on)
Day 3: New Zealand trail by 197 runs with 8 wickets remaining
Bundesliga fixtures
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
Jumanji: The Next Level
Director: Jake Kasdan
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Nick Jonas
Two out of five stars
The biog
From: Upper Egypt
Age: 78
Family: a daughter in Egypt; a son in Dubai and his wife, Nabila
Favourite Abu Dhabi activity: walking near to Emirates Palace
Favourite building in Abu Dhabi: Emirates Palace
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
