Japan manager Vahid Halilhodzic said Thursday he is relishing the chance to get revenge over the United Arab Emirates in March, when the final round of Asian World Cup qualifiers resumes.
Japan was stunned 2-1 at home by UAE in its opening match of the final round in Saitama in September, with the game being marred by controversial refereeing that denied Japan a legitimate goal that would have tied the game 2-2.
"The UAE defeat was a slap in the face for us. It still frustrates me and we can't wait to put one over on them in March," Halilhodzic said as the Japan Football Association announced the fixture schedule for various age groups of its men's and women's national teams for 2017.