<p>Japan required a stoppage time equaliser to draw 1-1 with Jordan, ranked 107th by FIFA, in their Asian Cup opener in Qatar, their first game since they drew with South Korea in mid-October. <br /><br />“The reason I did not have friendlies was because of the player's schedule, especially those players abroad,” Zaccheroni said. “Some players have not played for a long time while some have just finished their season,” referring to those in Japan, where the campaign ended with the Emperors Cup last month. <br /><br />The Blue Samurai face Syria on Thursday, knowing defeat and a win for Jordan over Saudi Arabia in the other Group B match would mean an early exit.</p>
<p>Japan required a stoppage time equaliser to draw 1-1 with Jordan, ranked 107th by FIFA, in their Asian Cup opener in Qatar, their first game since they drew with South Korea in mid-October. <br /><br />“The reason I did not have friendlies was because of the player's schedule, especially those players abroad,” Zaccheroni said. “Some players have not played for a long time while some have just finished their season,” referring to those in Japan, where the campaign ended with the Emperors Cup last month. <br /><br />The Blue Samurai face Syria on Thursday, knowing defeat and a win for Jordan over Saudi Arabia in the other Group B match would mean an early exit.</p>