Osim is hoping to name an unchanged squad for the final-four encounter at My Dinh National Stadium despite doubts over the fitness of right-back Akira Kaji, who hurt his ankle during the quarter-final victory against Australia on Saturday and has trained separately from the rest of the squad for the last two days.

"Any team has a speedy forward and the Saudi forwards are good, but that doesn't mean that you have to change your backline. I don't believe it is necessary to change our defenders as they have abilities," the 66-year-old said.

"If I keep the same team or change the team around, I will get criticised if we fail anyway.

"But I, as coach, will take all the responsibilities if we lose tomorrow."

Despite Japan's impressive record against Saudi Arabia at the Asian Cup, the defending champions are taking nothing for granted against the team that they have twice defeated 1-0 in the final - in Hiroshima in 1992 and in Beirut eight years later.

"Saudi Arabia are a very good side," said the former Yugoslavia coach, who was in charge of Japan during the Asian Cup qualifiers last year when they lost 1-0 to the Saudis in Jeddah in September before gaining revenge with a 3-1 win in Sapporo in November.

"They were strong last year, but they are now different, a new team under a new coach.

"They play a more aggressive and modern style of football and also have a few players who are difficult to deal with."