Miracles can happen for Japan, says revved-up Keisuke Honda
Japan's talisman Keisuke Honda has predicted the Asian champions will produce a "miracle" at the World Cup and reach the quarter-finals, local media reported yesterday.
Sporting a spiky mohawk haircut, the bleached-blond Honda touched down in Brazil with the Japan squad at the weekend and declared the "Blue Samurai' were ready to take on the world.
After that anything can happen at a World Cup. We're good enough now to reach the quarter-finals
"Firstly, we can 100 per cent get through our group," Honda told Japan's Nikkan Sports daily, ahead of Japan's opening game against Ivory Coast on June 14.
"After that anything can happen at a World Cup. We're good enough now to reach the quarter-finals," added the AC Milan midfielder.
"Obviously, we all need to stay fit, but if we do the basics right 100 per cent, no mistakes, we can get to the quarter-finals. From there, we can make miracles happen."
Japan, who also face Greece and Colombia in group C, underwent intense warm-weather training in southern Japan and Florida before flying to Brazil.
"I'm not talking idealistically, I'm being realistic," said Honda. "That's where the past 10 days of training will pay off."