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Clinical Japan confident of taking down Philippines at Women's Asian Cup / Photo: © AFP
Clinical Japan confident of taking down Philippines at Women's Asian Cup
Coach Nils Nielsen said Saturday Japan have the tools to take apart the Philippines in their Women's Asian Cup quarter-final as the ominous two-time champions bid to keep a fourth straight clean-sheet.
The highest-ranked team in the competition and the only Asian side to win the World Cup, Japan have been clinical so far with three wins from three games in the group phase.
They have blasted a tournament-high 17 goals while conceding none, with the Philippines facing a daunting task in Sydney on Sunday.
"The Philippines are a very hard-working, disciplined and interesting side to watch, and it's going to be a challenge for us," said Greenland's Nielsen, the first foreign-born coach of the Japan women's team.
"But I feel we have the tools to counter the challenges we face.
"We are preparing for all kinds of scenarios so that we can adapt quickly to whatever happens during the game, especially if things don't go our way."
For the Philippines' Australian coach Mark Torcaso, reaching the final eight is an achievement in itself.
He acknowledged the job in front of them, but said his team was playing for national pride.
"Given it's Japan, I know our chances will be limited so we must take full advantage of whatever opportunities we get and be disciplined in our game," he said.
"This is not just about reaching the quarter-finals.
"It is about carrying out our responsibility to showcase our quality so that every young girl in the Philippines will dream of playing for the national team."
The winner will bank automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil and line-up a semi-final against either South Korea or Uzbekistan.
M.Hill--SFF
