Samurai Blue ‘must believe in themselves’

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu says that European football is the global gold standard but he has urged his players to believe in themselves and suggested a score needs to be settled when they take on Spain in their final Group E match at the World Cup.

The Samurai Blue opened their campaign with a shock win over Germany but were upset in turn by Costa Rica in their second game.

"Tomorrow is going to be a high-pressure game for all players but we must believe in ourselves," Moriyasu told a news conference on Wednesday.

"They must believe in themselves, they must. They must believe in their team mates in order to fight against our opponent. Hopefully, they will be at their best and the result will follow."

A draw could still get Japan through, depending on the result in the Germany-Costa Rica game being played simultaneously, but Moriyasu said his team would be going all out for the win at Khalifa International Stadium.

"I hope that the players will play in such a way that they inspire the Japanese people then they keep inspiring other people."

Spain beat a Moriyasu-coached Japan in extra time with a Marco Asensio goal in the semi-finals at the Tokyo Olympics last year, denying the hosts a shot at the gold medal on home soil.

"We were very sorry that happened," he said. "We were very quiet. We were very upset. But I think the players have grown since then. And now they're here."

Spain may look to their younger players to seal their last-16 spot at the World Cup and some of those players including defender Pau Torres will be drawing on their Tokyo Olympics experience to help them prepare.

A number of Spain's under-23 squad from Tokyo are now in Qatar. "Japan are a very organised team, very consistent in what they do. I always think they have the game under control, they don't get out of the game until the final minutes," defender Pau Torres told Reuters on Tuesday.

Spain, the 2010 world champions will advance into the next round with a draw and a win would seal top spot in Group E. Japan, who sit second, risk losing out on a place in the knockout rounds to Germany or possibly Costa Rica, unless they beat Spain.

Torres suggested the side may have let their opening win go to their heads.

"Maybe it was over-confidence, having won the first game, as well as having seen our result against Costa Rica," the defender, who plays for Spanish LaLiga side Villareal, said.

"We made that match look easy, and then we could see that after all, it wasn't easy at all."

Spain might have a young midfield but have dominated proceedings at the tournament. Pedri only turned 20 last week and his club colleague Gavi, 18, has also impressed and Koke praised the creative Barcelona duo.

"The two of them make magic, their level is spectacular given their age," Koke told a press conference Tuesday as Spain hope the youngsters rise to the occasion.