Japan hope to recover quickly, Kagawa on the up

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DPA ©

Japan's national soccer team head coach Javier Aguirre

 Japan will have had a day less than opponents the
United Arab Emirates to recover for the semi-final between the teams
in Sydney on Friday but coach Javier Aguirre is promising another
intense performance.
"We are not watching any special detail of the short time of
preparation, so far we have had only two days (since playing Jordan)
and the players are not completely recovered," Aguirre told a news
conference Thursday.
"The intensity of the 90 minutes last time was very high but we
expect tomorrow that the players are 100 per cent recovered to play
with intensity again."
As the reigning holders, Japan are one of the favourites for the
title in Australia and progressed to the knock-out stage in serene
fashion, not conceding a goal.
The defence could be altered if Masato Morishige does not recover
from a slight facial injury but Aguirre was not concerned, instead
choosing to emphasize the team nature of defending.
"The doctor didn't report him completely out of this game, I believe
he can play but if not someone will else will do a good job.
"Our defence is not only defenders, it's done by defenders,
midfielders and attackers. We want to keep another clean sheet and
will fight with intensity in the game."
At the other end of the pitch, Japan are lead by AC Milan forward
Keisuke Honda who has scored three goals so far. But he has also hit
the woodwork four times, showing there is no lack of chances being
created.
Borussia Dortmund star Shinji Kagawa plays a major part in that and
it is also hoped he will be on a high after scoring his first goal
for the side since before the World Cup against Jordan in the final
group game.
"I was very happy for Shinji's goal, I asked him to go more into the
box and think of scoring rather than assisting when he has chances,"
Aguirre said. "I think the goal will give him confidence but I didn't
notice any change in him.
"Shin is a classic number 10 and an ace of the Japan team and I think
he felt big pressure when not scoring, I think it was a difficult
time for him," Kagawa's team-mate Yuto Nagatomo said.
"I saw him happy when scoring and it made me happy from bottom of my
heart. I hope he can come out from this pressure and score more
goals, I will support him in that."