BONN (Kyodo) Japan goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi on Thursday played down the significance of Tuesday's 2-2 draw against Germany but admitted that the result had boosted morale ahead of the Asian champions' World Cup opener against Australia.
"You can't even compare the pressure of playing in a practice match like that and a World Cup game. The spirit and desire of our opponents will be totally different when the tournament gets under way," the 30-year-old former Portsmouth keeper said.
"Still, for us to come through a really tough game against Germany in that kind of atmosphere has certainly given us a lift," he added.
Japan concludes its preparations when it plays Malta in Dusseldorf on Sunday.