Japan heads into this week's World Cup qualifiers only in second place in Group E, but Vahid Halilhodzic's side will be hungry to set the record straight against opponents Singapore and Cambodia.
Japan takes on Singapore away on Thursday before traveling to Cambodia to play its final fixture of the year five days later, with the Samurai Blue trailing group leader Syria by two points but with a game in hand. Japan has gone on to win three straight qualifiers with 12 goals scored and none conceded since drawing its opener 0-0 at home to Singapore in June, but the frustration of that stalemate still eats away at Halilhodzic's men.
"It is still difficult to accept that result against Singapore," the manager said as he named his squad last week. "We want to get a result and get top spot back. We will be focused for that game. It is up to us to get revenge."