The Uzbeks lie bottom of Group One with no points or goals after losses to Qatar and Australia last month, and Kasimov has taken over from Rauf Inileyev as the central Asians attempt to revive their flagging campaign.

But Kasimov, who led Bunyodkor to the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League before taking up the appointment, does have the benefit of advice from his successor at the Tashkent club, former Japan coach Zico.

"I spoke to him about a number of things before coming over here. Since he has a lot of experience working in Japan, he has a lot of information about the team," said Kasimov of the Brazilian.

"He told me that Japan has good centre-backs and good midfielders and are also good with their speed and pressuring the opponents.

"But if you can handle their pressing game, then you could have a chance on the counter-attack."

Kasimov has had only three weeks to work with the squad and saw them slip to a 3-0 loss to South Korea in Seoul on Saturday, but is maintaining a positive outlook as Uzbekistan attempt to qualify for their first World Cup.

"We're prepared for the game with Japan although it has been difficult to change the team in such a short space of time," he said.

"We have lost two matches to Qatar and Australia but anything is possible in football. All our players are fine now and I think we can put on a good show tomorrow."

Japan won their opener 3-2 in Bahrain but coach Takeshi Okada was unhappy with their disappointing performance in front of goal during a 1-1 draw with the United Arab Emirates in a friendly last week and put the likes of Yoshito Okubo and Keiji Tamada through shooting drills after training sessions this week.

"There's no special remedy except training," said Okada.

"We don't have to fix our game as we created good chances. All we need is to find the net."

Okada is not expecting an easy ride against an Uzbekistan team desperate for victory.

"We don't care whether they have lost two successive games," he continued. "The important thing is we should work as a unit and impose our style of football on the game.

"We are doing our best and will play for a win."

Defender Yuto Nagatomo has pulled out of the Japan squad after suffering a groin injury but Urawa Reds pair Marcus Tulio Tanaka and Yuki Abe should be available.