Japan’s Endo confident ahead of Paraguay clash

Japan international Yasuhito Endo is confident ahead of tonight’s World Cup knockout match against South American nation Paraguay.

The Gamba Osaka midfielder is comfortable with the work the Blue Samurai has done heading into the do-or-die clash and believes the Japanese team has a great chance of pushing through to the semi-finals.

"We have put in a great deal of effort in training so we are able to move forward very strongly when the ball is passed. Set-pieces are also an important weapon for us. We are also strong when playing as a group," Endo told FIFA.com.

"When you perform on the international stage you have to show your best otherwise you have no way of winning, and we must keep on doing that if we are to continue our good run.

"I am confident that we can achieve our goal of making it to the semi-finals. I hope the forthcoming matches will turn out in our favour. Our goal is to keep going like this and winning games.

"We have watched Paraguay's games. They are really hard-working players and the team is quite creative. That said, we have a great deal in common so we must strive hard to defeat them.”