National team manager Alberto Zaccheroni insists he will not be tempted to experiment with his starting lineup over the remainder of Japan's World Cup qualifying program despite all but locking up a place in Brazil with a 1-0 win over Iraq on Tuesday.
Ryoichi Maeda's 25th-minute goal was enough to clinch a hard-fought victory over a spirited Iraqi side at Saitama Stadium, giving Japan 10 points from four games and a six-point cushion at the top of Group B. Jordan stunned Australia 2-1 later Tuesday to become the first side other than Japan to record a win in the five-team section, but Zaccheroni has no intention of allowing himself to be distracted even if his team secures its place at a fifth consecutive World Cup with room to spare.
"The big thing is to qualify as soon as possible," said the Italian. "Of course I'm always looking for new players, but this team has grown together and I'm very glad of the way they've done that.