Zaccheroni thrilled with Tajikistan win

Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni says his side’s 4-0 victory over Tajikistan was an important one in their quest for World Cup qualification.

Japan are now guaranteed a top-two finish in Asian World Cup Qualifying Group C and Zaccheroni, who is yet to taste defeat as coach of Japan in 18 games, said he was delighted to book their spot in the next round.

“We wanted to secure our place in the final round of qualifying before February’s match at Uzbekistan, so this was an important victory,” Zaccheroni said.

“Tajikistan are physically tough defenders and the pitch condition was poor, so Japan was at a disadvantage.”

Striker Shinji Okazaki, who scored his second consecutive brace, agreed with his manager’s assessment of their opponents.

“(Tajikistan) played much stronger than they did in our home game,” the Stuttgart man said.

“(Shinji) Kagawa and Hiroshi (Kiyotake) created several chances so all I had to do was take the shot.”

Central defender Yasuyuki Konno, meanwhile, was ecstatic after scoring his first international goal in his 53rd game for Japan.

“I’m happy that I was able to facilitate the entire process, beginning with the interception and ending with the shot,” the 28-year-old said.

Japan will now spend two days in Beijing before travelling to Pyongyang to face North Korea on Tuesday.