Blue Samurai unlikely to stun section’s big two

AT the 2018 WorldW Cup in Russia, Japan came minutes awaay from taking Belgium to extr-time in thhe round of 16 – a stage the AsianA nation have reached on thhree occasions – only for Nacerr Chadli’s last-gasp strike too send the Blue Samurai packing.

They have become a staple member of Word Cups in recent years, turning out at each of the last six editions before Qatar, but they had to setttle for second spot behind Saudi Arabia in qualifyingg for this year’s finals.

The squad features a number of recognisable faaces including forrmer Liverpool winger Takummi Minamino, Eintracht Fraankfurt ace Daichi Kamada andd Real Sociedad talent Takefuusa Kubo.

But despitee their quality in attacking areeas, the Blue Samurai havee just struggled to click in the fiinal third, netting only 12 goalss in ten matches in a rather weakk qualifying section.

That goal ttally was only one more than OmanO and three fewer than Australia and it is an areea of the pitch in whichh manager Hajime Moriyyasu will be well awaree his team needs to impprove if they are to make an impact at the first ever winter WWorld Cup.

Failure to sscore in their second game with Costa Rica would almost certainly confirm their exit from the tournament and they cannot allow repeats of results like June’s 3-0 defeat to Tunisia in the Kirin Cup or even their 1-1 draw with Vietnam in a qualifier back in March.

They have some strength at the back with Arsenal rightback Takehiro Tomiyasu likely to be a regular starter and Maya Yoshida and Yuto Nagatomo bringing experience to the party but more realistic supporters of the Blue Samurai know this is one of the toughest World Cup sections they have ever faced and will be steeling themselves for a battle for third spot.

DLThe Spaniard has overseen some excellent performances in his six years in charge but they’ve only once seriously challenged for a major honour under his watch and unless that changes, Martinez could depart after the tournament when his contract expires.

• Kevin De Bruyne is one of the world’s best and heads to Qatar in fine nick • Tournament experience

throughout the squad • Rarely slip up against lesser

sides or in group stages

• Ageing defence past their peak • Have come up short against

elite in major tournaments • Former star man Eden Hazard is

a shadow of his former self