FRANCE 98 – Japan – T. Okada: “We will not use any specific tactics against Croatia, we'll simply try to play our best”

“The team has rested well and is in good physical condition. On Saturday, we will not use any specific tactics against CROATIA; we’ll simply try to play our best. However, we’ll have to be particularly careful as the refereeing has become very strict over the last couple of days. For years, size differences between the Japanese players and others has gone against us, but we can compensate with our speed. CROATIA is at least as tough a team as ARGENTINA, it is really among the favourites. This match is of course very important for Japanese football in view of the next World Cup but it is especially so if we are to qualify for the second round.”