Japan keen to hold on to their performance

But the Japanese, buoyant after two successive first round wins, have tempted providence by talking of a quarter-final return to Osaka, where they beat Tunisia 2-0 in their final group game, to meet Senegal on Saturday.

That, given the Turks’ penchant for upsetting predictions and proving to be stubborn and unpredictable opponents, could be just the motivating factor coach Senol Gunes needs in preparing his men against favourites who have not lost at home for a year.

Indeed, Japan’s outstanding 22-year-old midfielder Junichi Inamoto, who did not make a single appearance last season for Arsenal in England’s Premier League but who scored twice in the World Cup group phase, may regret his prediction that “if we continue to play the way we have played, we can make it into the last eight, and the last four”.

Turkey, who reached the second round at the 2000 European Championship finals after qualifying for the first time in 1996, have more experienced players, but not the extra ingredient supplied by the passionate Japanese fans.

The Turks, who were close to securing an upset victory against Brazil when they had two players sent off in their opening group game, have taken time to settle into the tournament since then, but believe they are now better prepared. Turkey’s only previous finals appearance was in 1954 when they beat South Korea 7-0 in a group mach, but were eliminated 7-2 in a play-off with West Germany.

Gunes is hoping his team can contain Japan’s energetic enthusiasm and play expressive counter-attacking football. (Reuters)