Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni has warned his players not to expect a walkover on Friday when the Blue Samurai take on minnow Vietnam in Kobe in a warmup for next week's 2014 World Cup qualifier against Tajikistan.
The last time Japan met Vietnam it ran out a comfortable 4-1 winner in Hanoi at the 2007 Asian Cup, and with the Asian champion virtually at full strength, home fans are likely to be expecting another resounding victory at Home's Stadium.
"Vietnam have speed, agility and endurance as a team and are solid as a unit both in defense and attack. It won't be that easy," said Zaccheroni.