Osim wants Japan to move on

Japan’s head coach Ivan Osim holds court [AFP]

Japan coach Ivica Osim said his team would face a real test in its bid to win the Asian Cup title for three straight times when it faces Australia in a quarterfinal in Hanoi on Saturday.

“The next match would be the most difficult match for Japanese team,” the Bosnian coach said.

Osim said his players should forget about the team’s 3-1 defeat in last year’s World Cup due to Australia’s late rallies and play a good game.

“It’s been one year, if you are still shocked with that game, maybe the shock was too long. So just try to overcome the shock and go on with life,” Osim said through a translator.

Australia midfielder Harry Kewell said he is also looking forward to a tough game against the Asian Cup’s two-time defending champions.

“The last World Cup we played Japan, I’ve seen a lot of people focusing on that result, but it’s a totally different ball game now and Japan is going to want to put one back over us, so we are looking forward to a very tough game, very competitive game,” the Liverpool player said.