Japan coach, Futoshi Ikeda, has declared that they were well-prepared for the game against Nigeria.
The 2011 World champion on Wednesday defeated Nigeria’s Super Falcons 3-1 in the final group game and ended the hope of the African reaching the knockout round.
Ikeda said they are aware of how Nigeria will play and they are ready for the task.
” First of all, I’m happy that we were able to get through the tough Group C.
We were worried about how much power Nigeria would bring, but we were able to control the match and play well, including how they played.
It was a game with only two days between matches, and I saw that the fresh players were wwell well prepared.I had them play with confidence. I’m happy that we were able to get through as a team.
Kitagawa and Ueki, who started for the first time, embodied the idea of fighting as a team.
Each player is thinking about what they can do, getting themselves in shape, training, and fulfilling their responsibilities,” he said.
Japan has been drawn to face the United States in the quarter-final of the games.
