Captain Tsuneyasu Miyamoto has played down the significance of Japan's lackluster performances at the recent Kirin Cup tournament and insists the Asian champions will be ready and confident come the start of the World Cup finals.
Japan national soccer team players Shinji Ono (left) and Seiichiro Maki run over the pitch during a training session in Naraha, Fukushima Pref.
Japan managed a return of just one goal from 35 shots in the 2-1 defeat to Bulgaria and the 0-0 draw with Scotland in the team's final home matches before departing for Germany and the Boys in Blue's profligacy in front of goal has raised concerns less than a month before their opening first-round match against Australia.
"It's not really a problem. Last year we lost 1-0 in both of the Kirin Cup games against Peru and the United Arab Emirates, but look what happened after that," Miyamoto said.