JAPAN coach Takeshi Okada has urged his team to think of nothing but victory in tomorrow's World Cup clash with Denmark in Rustenburg, despite knowing a draw would be enough to get them into the last 16.
The Asian side head into the match in second spot in Group E, ahead of their European opponents on goal difference.
A point will get Japan into the knockout phase, but Okada wants his players to go out with only the full three points on their minds.
"In our meeting today, I did tell the players that we should not think about any draw," he said.
"This means that we have to score. So from the beginning we will start out with the intention of winning."
The Blue Samurai coach also revealed that his team have been taking a relaxed approach to the game in a bid to keep calm.
He continued: "Today in training we didn't really do much training. In the last two days, we relaxed on one day and yesterday we did some light training.
"Tomorrow's match for us, as well as the entire population of Japan, will be a very big match.
"In any case, regardless of the fact that it is a big match and a big opponent, what we can do is to deliver our very best - that's all.
"We've done everything that we've able to do so far and tomorrow, on the pitch, all the players need to give everything if we want to qualify for the next round."
Okada, who has already set the lofty heights of a semi-final place as their goal for the finals, insisted he was "not considering defeat" and was fully prepared for what the Danes may throw at them.
"Of course, tall players can be an advantage," he responded when asked about the physical threat of the opposition. "But we've already played against two teams with height.
"This does not necessarily guarantee a win. What we will do is to work on other aspects of our game that are amongst our strengths to help us get the goals."
The Japanese have had a satisfactory tournament so far with a 1-0 win over Cameroon followed by defeat to the Dutch by the same scoreline.
Okada stopped short of singling out any particular strength in his team, instead lavishing praise on the way they have played as a unit.
He added: "Rather than any specific points or characteristics of this team, above all, we are a team.
"What matters above anything is to deliver and produce the results.
"So at the present moment, we shouldn't be making any specific points about this (what he's proud of in the team). So far we've been winning as a collective force."
A point will get Japan into the knockout phase, but Okada wants his players to go out with only the full three points on their minds.
"In our meeting today, I did tell the players that we should not think about any draw," he said.
"This means that we have to score. So from the beginning we will start out with the intention of winning."
The Blue Samurai coach also revealed that his team have been taking a relaxed approach to the game in a bid to keep calm.
He continued: "Today in training we didn't really do much training. In the last two days, we relaxed on one day and yesterday we did some light training.
"Tomorrow's match for us, as well as the entire population of Japan, will be a very big match.
"In any case, regardless of the fact that it is a big match and a big opponent, what we can do is to deliver our very best - that's all.
"We've done everything that we've able to do so far and tomorrow, on the pitch, all the players need to give everything if we want to qualify for the next round."
Okada, who has already set the lofty heights of a semi-final place as their goal for the finals, insisted he was "not considering defeat" and was fully prepared for what the Danes may throw at them.
"Of course, tall players can be an advantage," he responded when asked about the physical threat of the opposition. "But we've already played against two teams with height.
"This does not necessarily guarantee a win. What we will do is to work on other aspects of our game that are amongst our strengths to help us get the goals."
The Japanese have had a satisfactory tournament so far with a 1-0 win over Cameroon followed by defeat to the Dutch by the same scoreline.
Okada stopped short of singling out any particular strength in his team, instead lavishing praise on the way they have played as a unit.
He added: "Rather than any specific points or characteristics of this team, above all, we are a team.
"What matters above anything is to deliver and produce the results.
"So at the present moment, we shouldn't be making any specific points about this (what he's proud of in the team). So far we've been winning as a collective force."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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