Holders Japan will not be intimidated when they take on hosts China in a grudge Asian Cup final on Saturday, according to captain Tsuneyasu Miyamoto.
Booed everywhere they have played in China, where emotion still runs high over Japan's war time military aggression, the Japanese are expecting a hostile reception in Beijing.
In Jinan on Tuesday, Japan were barracked again before their 4-3 extra-time victory over Bahrain in semi-finals.
"They only booed us at the start of the national anthem this time," said Miyamoto.
"That will be nothing compared to what we expect when we play China in Beijing."
Goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi, who is no stranger to the sort of treatment Japan will encounter in Beijing, insisted he was relishing the challenge of silencing the crowd again.
Four years ago, he was the hero of Japan's 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in the last Asian Cup final in Beirut, helping Japan hold on amid a cacophony of booing.
"To be honest, I am looking forward to playing in that atmosphere again," said the former Portsmouth goalkeeper.
"We are able to keep our concentration and adapt to whatever situation we find ourselves in."
Japan have ridden their luck at the Asian Cup, overcoming Jordan in the quarter-finals after a highly controversial penalty shootout.
They were twice forced to come from behind against Bahrain, striker Keiji Tamada scoring the second of his two goals three minutes into extra time to put Japan through.
"It was such a tough game, I am too exhausted to speak," said Miyamoto, who has taken the captain's armband in the absence of Italian-based midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata.
"It was really hard, coming so soon after the Jordan game. Hopefully, if Tamada keeps scoring the defenders will get more of a rest against China."
© 2024 Rediff.com -