Keisuke Honda believes that Japan had ‘too much respect’ for Ivory Coast, but claims that they won’t make that mistake against Greece.
Alberto Zaccheroni’s men lost 2-1 to the African nation in their first World Cup game, but the Milan playmaker has insisted that his side will be going all-out for a win when they take on Fernando Santos’ team this evening.
Keisuke Honda believes that Japan had ‘too much respect’ for Ivory Coast, but claims that they won’t make that mistake against Greece.
Alberto Zaccheroni’s men lost 2-1 to the African nation in their first World Cup game, but the Milan playmaker has insisted that his side will be going all-out for a win when they take on Fernando Santos’ team this evening.
“I think there are several reasons for the defeat, but the main one is having too much respect for the opponent,” he told reporters.
“We were too aware of their strengths and didn’t play to our own. We have to play with more aggression and conviction next time.
“There were some very dangerous players in the Ivory Coast team, and there are also some in the Greece team – but we can’t focus solely on them.
“We may have our backs to the wall, but we have to be confident.”