U.A.E. coach Ali speaks to reporters before Asian Cup quarterfinal

U.A.E. coach Ali speaks to reporters before Asian Cup quarterfinal

United Arab Emirates coach Mahdi Ali speaks at a news conference in Sydney, Australia, on Jan. 22, 2015, a day before his team play face Japan in the quarterfinals of the AFC Asian Cup soccer tournament. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Aguirre confident ahead of quarterfinal clash with U.A.E.

Aguirre confident ahead of quarterfinal clash with U.A.E.

Japan coach Javier Aguirre (R) speaks at a news conference in Sydney, Australia, on Jan. 22, 2015, a day before Japan face the United Arab Emirates in the quarterfinals of the AFC Asian Cup soccer tournament. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Aguirre confident ahead of quarterfinal clash with U.A.E.

Aguirre confident ahead of quarterfinal clash with U.A.E.

Japan coach Javier Aguirre speaks at a news conference in Sydney, Australia, on Jan. 22, 2015, a day before Japan face the United Arab Emirates in the quarterfinals of the AFC Asian Cup soccer tournament. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Soccer: Halilhodzic believes team leaders will step up against UAE

Soccer: Halilhodzic believes team leaders will step up against UAE

Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic speaks at a press conference in Al Ain, the United Arab Emirates, on March 22, 2017, the day before a final-round World Cup qualifier away to the U.A.E. The Franco-Bosnian coach is confident his players can overcome the loss of injury-hit captain Makoto Hasebe. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Soccer: Halilhodzic believes team leaders will step up against UAE

Soccer: Halilhodzic believes team leaders will step up against UAE

Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic speaks at a press conference in Al Ain, the United Arab Emirates, on March 22, 2017, the day before a final-round World Cup qualifier away to the U.A.E. The Franco-Bosnian coach is confident his players can overcome the loss of injury-hit captain Makoto Hasebe. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan coach confident despite pell-mell buildup for U.A.E. clash

Japan coach confident despite pell-mell buildup for U.A.E. clash

Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic attends a training session on Aug. 31, 2016, at Saitama Stadium near Tokyo prior to a game against the United Arab Emirates in the final round of Asian qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup. Halilhodzic told reporters his players will be ready for the fight, despite a comparative lack of preparation time for their Group B opener. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan ready for World Cup qualifiers against U.A.E.

Japan ready for World Cup qualifiers against U.A.E.

Japan coach Coach Vahid Halilhodzic (2nd from R in back) and his players huddle before a practice session in Saitama, north of Tokyo, on Aug. 29, 2016, to prepare for a Group B match against the United Arab Emirates in the final Asian round of 2018 World Cup qualifiers on Sept. 1. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo