Greece has some tough competition already from the World Cup draw, and has seen first hand how its group opponent Japan tackles a Hellenic team.
This week Japan scored a 1-0 win against Cyprus’ national team in their last home match before jetting to Brazil.
Right-back Uchida broke the deadlock in Saitama when he stabbed home the loose ball after Shinji Kagawa’s close-range effort had been blocked, registering only his second goal in 66 internationals.
With Cyprus defending stubbornly, a clever step-over from Kagawa brought the crowd of 58,000 to their feet, only for Keisuke Honda to waste Japan’s only other chance of a scrappy first half.
The ‘Blue Samurai’ reached the last 16 at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Japan stormed through Asian qualifying to secure a fifth successive World Cup appearance, finishing four points clear of Australia at the top of their final-round group.
They take on Greece on June 19 at Arena das Dunas stadium in Natal.
Source: AFP
