Japan attacker Keisuke Honda has ordered his teammates to stand up and be counted when they face Thailand in Bangkok on Tuesday in a crunch final-round qualifier for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Japan suffered a shock 2-1 defeat in its Group B opener at home against the United Arab Emirates on Thursday in Saitama. Anything less than a win over the unfancied Thais would leave Vahid Halilhodzic's men with a tough task to automatically qualify from a group which also includes Asian champion Australia, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
The outspoken bleach-blond midfielder was highly critical of the team after the defeat to UAE and accused the players of lacking guts.