Japan may have enjoyed dining at soccer's top table in prestige friendlies against France and Brazil last month, but with World Cup-qualifying points at stake in next Wednesday's away trip to Oman, Alberto Zaccheroni's side will have to quickly readjust to the realities of Asian competition.

Japan travels to Muscat at the halfway point of the final qualifying round for Brazil 2014 with a five-point lead at the top of Group B, looking for a win that would end the 2012 international season with a place at a fifth consecutive World Cup all but in the bag. Oman was comfortably beaten 3-0 in the home fixture at Saitama Stadium back in June, but Japan has a patchy away record against Middle Eastern teams that could translate into an uncomfortable outing on Wednesday regardless of the sweltering afternoon heat.

The onus will likely be on the visitors to break down a defensive home side, with Oman manager Paul Le Guen aiming to frustrate Japan's attack and make the most of any opportunities to strike on the counter. Le Guen could do worse than show his players a recording of Japan's 1-0 victory over France last month as an example of how to land a sucker punch against stronger opponents, but this time the roles will be reversed with Zaccheroni's men forced to take the creative initiative.