Football: Japan need striker to develop for World Cup success: boss
KYODO NEWS - 1 hour ago - 22:07 | Sports, All
FIFA World Cup-bound Japan need someone to step up as an out-and-out striker, their manager Hajime Moriyasu said Wednesday.
Wednesday marked one year until the start of the World Cup, to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Japan scored 30 goals in 10 matches in the final round of Asian qualifying, but no one player dominated the scoring.
"I want a real striker to emerge, and then we want to make the most of that player," Moriyasu said in Kyoto.
The manager also hinted at trying a back-four formation again and said, "We also need a quality side back who can be a driving force on the team."
The world No. 15 Samurai Blue, who will make their eighth successive World Cup appearance, topped Group C of the Asian qualifiers with seven wins, two draws and one defeat.
Related coverage:
Football: Kamada, Kubo spur Japan to big win over Indonesia
Football: Makeshift Japan fall late to Australia for 1st q'fiers loss
Football: Nadeshiko Japan suffer back-to-back defeats against Brazil
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