Sean Carroll is a Japan-based freelance football writer who regularly contributes to Japan News & Football Channel. He gives the Japanese perspective ahead of Thursday's World Cup qualifier against the UAE. Follow him on Twitter here.
Q How is the team shaping up for the match? What issues do they have going into the game – form, fitness, mood in camp?
A The main talking point has been the fact that Keisuke Honda has been included in the squad despite the fact he's not playing for AC Milan. Vahid Halilhodzic [Japan's manager] has said that his personality is important for the team even so and, while I don't think he'll start (or I'd certainly be surprised if he lasts 90 minutes), I'd argue that even a Honda not playing regularly is needed for this kind of high-pressure game. In terms of fitness, captain Makoto Hasebe has been ruled out with a knee injury. There are also question marks in goal, with Shusaku Nishikawa not in his best form for Urawa Red Diamonds, and substitute goalkeeper Masaaki Higashiguchi out injured.
Q How much pressure is there on the team and Halilhodzic to get a good result? How will the players handle that?
A Personally, I would say the only pressure they are under is not to lose, and that's something the Japan players tend to cope with reasonably well. It's when they have to or are expected to win that they have trouble (such as the Asian Cup quarter-final in Sydney in 2015 or last September's first home game, both against the UAE).
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Road to Russia
■ Talking points: What to keep an eye on in UAE v Japan
■ Fixtures, results and more on the UAE's qualifying bid
■ Ismail Ahmed urges UAE to forget win in Japan
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Q How determined will Japan be to avenge last September’s defeat, and the loss at the 2015 Asian Cup?
A There's no real desire, or need, for revenge, as subsequent results have left Japan above UAE in the group. So they know qualification remains in their own hands despite that early setback.
Q Who will Japan identify as the UAE’s biggest danger men? How do you think they will attempt to nullify Omar Abdulrahman?
A Japan know that Omar and Ahmed Khalil are the key threats, and it looks as though Yasuyuki Konno has been recalled to the squad with the purpose of trying to nullify Omar. The 34-year-old Gamba Osaka player is a no-nonsense centre-back or defensive midfielder, who has been out of the national-team picture for a while. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him starting alongside Hasebe (if fit) or Hotaru Yamaguchi.
Q What constitutes a good result for Japan and how will that affect their tactical approach? Which player(s) do you think the UAE have to be wary of in particular?
A A draw would be seen as a perfectly acceptable result, keeping Japan above the UAE and with the easy-looking game against Thailand at home up next. Some of the team's better-known players are out of form on account of not having been playing regularly for their clubs (Honda at Milan, Shinji Kagawa at Borussia Dortmund, or Hiroshi Kiyotake at Cerezo Osaka, who's just joined the legion of players returning to the J.League from Europe). However, a few talented youngsters are gradually making an impact in Europe and beginning to also contribute for the national team, too. Takuma Asano (on loan at Stuttgart from Arsenal), Genki Haraguchi (Hertha Berlin), Yuya Osako (Koln), and, in particular, Yuya Kubo (Gent), are all capable of making things happen in the final third.
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Opposition scout: John McAuley breaks down the UAE’s next opponents
Background
• Japan have long been considered one of Asia’s premier teams, with five consecutive World Cup appearances stretching back to 1998. In 2002 and 2010, they progressed to the last 16. Japan have been the pacesetters in the Asian Cup too, winning the continent’s main title a record four times. At 51st in the Fifa world rankings, they are recognised as Asia’s third-best side. Japan opened their Group B campaign with a shock defeat at home to the UAE, but have since gone unbeaten, winning three and drawing one of their qualifiers. They sit second in the group, behind Saudi Arabia on goal difference.
Star player: Genki Haraguchi
• The Hertha Berlin attacking midfielder scored five goals in nine appearances for the national team last year, including the winner in November’s vital victory against Saudi Arabia. An obvious threat - he has scored half of Japan’s eight goals in this phase of qualification - Haraguchi can also play on the wing.
Key men
• Yasuyuki Konno: Not normally given a starting berth, the 34-year-old has been called back into the squad, with many expecting him to man-mark Omar Abdulrahman. Could be key, especially in captain Makoto Hasebe's absence.
• Keisuke Honda: The AC Milan playmaker's place in the team is no longer guaranteed, but he remains a key influence off the pitch. With Hasebe out injured, his experience could be vital.
Manager: Vahid Halilhodzic
• The tough-talking Bosnian has a wealth of experience in management, and previously acted as head coach of the Ivory Coast and Algeria. Joined Japan two years ago, tasked with leading the country to a sixth World Cup. His temperament and suitability to the job have been questioned, though.
Form (last six matches)
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UAE head-to-head
The past two clashes between the teams have gone the UAE’s way, with the epic penalty-shootout victory in the quarter-finals of the 2015 Asian Cup and last September’s 2-1 win in Saitama. In their previous four meetings, Japan have won twice, including the 3-1 triumph at the 2007 Asian Cup.
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