National team coach Takeshi Okada is determined to restore pride and erase the painful memory of a defeat that put his job in jeopardy when Japan takes on South Korea in its final World Cup warmup on home soil on Monday.
"I want us to deliver a good performance, show what kind of soccer we will be playing at the World Cup and get the right result before departing for South Africa," Okada told a news conference on the eve of the sold-out clash at Saitama Stadium 2002.
"I think this is the first time Japan and South Korea will be playing each other at full strength in around 12 years so this match has great significance," said Okada.