Sports
Rio: Japan ready for Nigeria, says coach
Japan men’s Olympic soccer coach Makoto Teguramori has declared his team’s readiness to battle Nigeria in the first match as the young Samurai Blue left for Brazil on Thursday for the 2016 Olympics.
Japan will launch the Rio Olympic campaign against Nigeria on, followed by a game versus Colombia three days later, and then another against Sweden to close out the first round on August 10.
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Teguramori added that the first match against U-23 Eagles would determine their quest in winning a medal at the tournament.
“We’ll be at our peak for the first game,” Teguramori said at Haneda airport, referring to the August 4 Group B match in Manaus. “That game will make or break our medal chances.”
Japan warms up for the Nigeria game with a friendly versus Brazil on July 30.
“The mission we’ve taken on is a huge one. Hopefully we can bring back a medal to add a new chapter in Japanese soccer) history.”
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