Tokyo: Japan’s new football coach said he was aiming to get the Blue Samurai out of a tricky World Cup group, days after being parachuted in as an “emergency measure”.
“I want to get through the first round, of course. I think we will be fully competitive and will be able to challenge,” Akira Nishino said.
Japan have a tough group in Russia this summer, drawn against Colombia, Poland and Senegal.
Nishino, 63, was drafted in on Monday as an “emergency measure” — in the words of the Japan Football Association boss — just two months before the team kicks off their World Cup campaign.
He takes over from Vahid Halilhodzic, who was sensationally axed after some disappointing results in recent friendlies despite taking the team to their sixth successive World Cup finals.
Nishino said he wanted the team to play in an “attacking” spirit, adding that he would select the squad with that in mind.
“Without doubt, we have a chance of winning against any opponent,” he said.
