Japan is the leading team in Asia at 15 years^th in the FIFA rankings and top of qualifying Group C with an unbeaten record after three wins and a draw.

A potential victory over Indonesia in front of 78,000 fans in the country’s capital puts an eighth consecutive World Cup berth within reach.

Indonesia are clearly underdogs for Friday’s match, finishing fifth out of six teams in their qualifying group, but have won fast-paced draws against Australia, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

“Tomorrow’s match will be very difficult because the Indonesian players will be very defensive (…) so we have to play very aggressively,” said Moriyasu.

“Our goal is to be champions. Tomorrow we will fight very hard.”

The top two of the three groups in the third stage of the Asian qualifiers will automatically advance to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, with third and fourth going into another qualifying stage.

Japan reached the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup, where they lost to Croatia on penalties, while Indonesia qualified once when they competed as the Dutch East Indies.

Japan captain and Liverpool underdog Wataru Endo said there was no problem with a lack of game time for his club despite being used sparingly by new boss Arne Slot.

“It’s no problem because I’m trying really hard, so my condition is fine,” said the 31-year-old midfielder. “I will do my best 100% tomorrow.”

Indonesia’s South Korean coach Shin Tae-yong said the Reds wanted to cause an upset against the Asian giants.

“All the players and I are planning a game with no regrets,” he said. “No one can anticipate or expect tomorrow’s outcome.”

Shin said Australia’s 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia on Thursday gave them hope.

“The result is (…) actually an advantage for us. Except for Japan, all the other teams are just fighting each other,” he said.

“So I really believe that energy and luck come to us.”

Indonesia hope their new strategy of picking Dutch-born players for the national team will pay dividends, with recent squads including up to 10 after recently sparking a surge in their performances.

“The Indonesian national team is very different from before,” said Moriyasu.