Japan v Uzbekistan: Hosts eye another win under Halilhodzic

After making a winning start under Vahid Halilhodzic, Japan will look to add another victory when they host Uzbekistan in a friendly on Tuesday.

Goals from substitutes Shinji Okazaki and Keisuke Honda gave Japan a 2-0 win over Tunisia in Oita on Friday.

It marked an ideal start for Halilhodzic, who replaced Javier Aguirre after the Asian Cup.

The likes of Honda and Shinji Kagawa started that clash on the bench before being introduced on the hour-mark.

Both Kagawa and Honda have been impressed with the new coach, with the Borussia Dortmund midfielder happy with Halilhodzic so far.

“He’s a good fit with us, I think,” Kagawa told The Japan News.

“He demands things intensely, and strength and speed are qualities that Japan has lacked.

“There are still issues we have to work on, but everyone has an awareness of the kind of soccer the coach wants – precise rotation of the ball, quick build up, and to switch well between defence and attack.”

Honda and Kagawa may yet get more game time when Japan host Uzbekistan at the Ajinomoto Stadium in Chofu.

Halilhodzic made several changes to Japan’s starting XI for the clash against Tunisia, but he may add class to his team with Honda and Kagawa from the outset.

Japan have a great record against Uzbekistan, winning five of the previous nine matches between the two nations.

Only one of those – the last clash between the two in Toyota in 2012 – has gone Uzbekistan’s way.

Uzbekistan’s first clash since the Asian Cup was also on Friday, when they were held to a 1-1 draw by South Korea.

Zokhir Kuziboyev scored Uzbekistan’s equaliser after they had fallen behind in Daejeon.