ARLINGTON, Texas - Manager Hajime Moriyasu is aiming for Japan to finish at the top of Group F when they take on Sweden at the World Cup on Thursday.
Japan are level on four points with the Netherlands, who lead the group on goals scored and will face already-eliminated Tunisia in their final match at the same time. A draw with Sweden, who have three points, would secure a spot in the last 32 for Japan.
"We've been playing each game aiming for a win and we've shared that thought within the team in our preparations," Moriyasu told a press conference on Wednesday at Dallas Stadium, where Sweden manager Graham Potter also held one separately.
"Our stance is to aim for the win (regardless of the permutations). There'll be three days' rest before the next game but I'm thinking about naming the best members to win this game, rather than thinking about the next one."
By finishing first, Japan would head back to Estadio Monterrey in Mexico where they hammered Tunisia 4-0 in their second game, while Houston would be their next stop should they finish second.
"We want to finish first as it'd be best if we can play in Monterrey," Moriyasu said. "We already had a pre-tournament camp there, played Tunisia there and know the stadium's atmosphere. The players know the pitch and there'd be an advantage in playing in a place they've already experienced."
After both managers' press conferences, Brazil won Group C by beating Scotland 3-0 and will face the Group F runners-up in Houston on Monday. Morocco finished second in Group C with their 4-2 win over Haiti and head to Estadio Monterrey to face the Group F winners.
Sweden had a winless European qualification campaign before finding their way through the playoffs in March under the tutelage of former Brighton, Chelsea and West Ham manager Graham Potter, who took charge last October.
"I think Mr. Potter is a wonderful coach. He was the manager of (Kaoru) Mitoma (at Brighton) and I've been watching his games since," Moriyasu said.
"He's built a wonderful (Sweden) side by making the most of each individual in order to maximize the team's ability, in a short period of time. I can't see a weak point, and I want people to check in tomorrow's game if there is one."
Potter said that "the quality of Kaoru is so high," and he is missed by Japan, but they have found a "solution" to deal with matters without their star asset.
"It's a different profile player of course, it's slightly different but it's still a solution and then that's why it's impressive. But collectively, they're able to find that," Potter said. "It's a team game and Japan play a team game very, very well."
Sweden began the tournament with a 5-1 demolition of Tunisia before they fell to the Netherlands with the reverse score, and Moriyasu said he learned more from watching the former.
"Definitely the Tunisia game. They showed their firepower up front and physical strength in defensive situations," Moriyasu said.
"I've especially told our defenders to enjoy taking on fantastic world-class players in (Alexander) Isak and (Viktor) Gyokeres, use the occasion to up their individual levels and make it a good experience irrespective of the match result."
