Tomiyasu Targets Clean-sheet When Meeting The Indonesian National Team

Takehiro Tomiyasu wants Japanese players to rise in the last match against the Indonesian national team (Instagram/@tomiyasu.t).

Takehiro Tomiyasu has ambitions to bring Japan to victory against the Indonesian national team in the last match of Group D of the 2023 Asian Cup at Al Thumama Stadium on Wednesday, January 24, 2024.

The Arsenal player asked his colleagues to have the fighting spirit like when they won four Asian Cups.

You see, Japan's position was also on the brink after a 1-2 defeat against Iraq in the second match of Group D. Moreover, the defense is in the spotlight which has conceded four goals in two matches.

They now have to fight with the Indonesian national team to fight for automatic qualifying tickets to the last 16 or through the best third-placed route.

Japan and the Indonesian national team currently both collect three points, but the Blue Samurai excel in goal difference.

No wonder, Tomiyasu had to burn the spirit of his team by targeting the first clean-sheet in the 2023 Asian Cup. However, he admitted that the Indonesian national team was not an easy opponent to realize the plan.

"Against Indonesia won't be an easy game, there won't be an easy game in the Asian Cup."

"We have to learn from our mistakes against Iraq. Indonesia has everything to fight for."

"They probably attacked us from the start and we have to deal with it. As a defender, we conceded two games in a row. So I want to keep the clean sheet," said the defender.

Tomiyasu further emphasized that a figure like Wataru Endo is very much needed in crucial conditions like this. The leadership of the Liverpool player is believed to have a positive impact on improving the team's mentality. "Players like (Wataru) Endo or even myself have to be leaders, on and off the field, to give opinions. I think it will have a positive impact on the team," said Tomiyasu.

Victory will bring the Indonesian or Japanese national team to advance automatically to the last 16 of the 2023 Asian Cup. When it ends in the series, the Blue Samurai are entitled to a ticket to the knockout round because they are superior head-to-head.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian national team must fight in the third best line while hoping that Bahran and Oman will slip.