AFC U-17 Asian Cup: India up against defending champions Japan in crucial battle

With a quarterfinal berth at stake and still lacking in a few areas India will go up against defending champions Japan in a doordie last group game of the U17 Asian Cup here on FridayThe Group D match Indias toughest so far in the tournament will be played at the Rajamangala StadiumIndia head coach Bibiano Fernandes is aware of the mammoth task that lies in front of his side but feels that it is one that his boys can scale if they stick to the planIts quite simple for us We need to win against Japan and that should be enough to take us through to the quarterfinals However that is easier said than done Japan are one of the best teams in this competition they are the defending champions said FernandesIt wont at all be easy but its not impossibleFunny things have happened in football and you never know We will go into the game as the underdogs no doubt but if a couple of chances go our way and we play to the plans we can get what we were looking for he saidGroup D is still an open affair on the final matchday as all four teams stand a chance to make it to the last eight For India it is a rather difficult equation where they have to defeat Japan and hope for Uzbekistan to get at least a draw against VietnamIts difficult but the boys are really motivated to do well against Japan Its an opportunity to play against one of the best teams in Asia and I am happy to say that that is not lost on them said FernandesWe have to believe with all our heart and hopefully providence will favour us once the match comes to an endThe Blue Colts failed to win their first two games drawing 11 against Vietnam and losing 01 to Uzbekistan Fernandes has been working on certain areas where he feels India have been lackingThe last game was not a good result for us though the boys tried their best We know we have to do better we know what is required in the game and how to approach it he saidIts just a matter of putting ourselves together as one unit and executing those plans We have been lacking some pace on the wings as well Weve worked on that before the Japan game and we will try to achieve what we want toAlso Read Intercontinental Cup good preparatory event for AFC Asian Cup reckons Igor StimacThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever