Iran the Best Team in Asian Cup, Japanese Captain Says
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Japan defender Maya Yoshida believes that Iran national football team is the best team in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
The Southampton center back played a key role in hard fought 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia on Sunday in the second round of the Asian Cup at the Sharjah Stadium.
"Iran is currently the best (football playing) country in Asia but most important thing (for now) is that we go to the next round,” Yoshida said.
Japan, Asia's second ranked team, will play Vietnam, ranked 17th, in the quarterfinal at the Al Maktoum stadium in Dubai on Thursday before a potential semifinal clash against Iran at the Hazza bin Zayed stadium in Al Ain on Jan. 28.
“We don't have any information about Vietnam to be honest and we have to be ready for them. I will think about Iran after (we have beaten Vietnam),” the Japan captain added.
