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Samurai Blue vows to defend Asian Cup title

Xinhua, January 11, 2015 Adjust font size:

"We are confident that we can defend our title as the Asian Cup champions," said Japan' s coach Javier Aquirre here on Sunday.

Aquirre said in a media conference, "we respect all the other 15 teams, all of them have the opportunity to win the Asian Cup, but we will defend the title."

Japan won the champion in 2011 by defeating Australia 1-0 in Qatar Asian Cup final.

The first match here against Palestine on Monday is very important, said Aquirre. "Palestine will make their debut at the Asian Cup and they are eager to win. We will respect them and be concentrated by ourselves."

"The first game is very difficult, I will tell the boys to play in high intensity from the very beginning, as it is the last minute of the match," he added.

"Tomorrow' s game is important to us and we are ready. We need to prepare, and if the result goes in our favour then we will be in a good position to defend the title," said Japan' s midfielder Makoto Hasebe.

"Defending the title is very important to us, however we will focus on this tournament only," he added. Endi