By Suman Malla/Doha

Japan’s Keisuke Honda and team mates attend a training session in Doha yesterday, ahead of the final match against Australia at the Asian Cup soccer tournament today. (Reuters
After 22 days of thrills and spills, the 2011 Asian Cup is set to wind up with a flourish as the competition’s two most prolific teams Japan and Australia employ different styles of play to land the top prize at the Khalifa Stadium today. The match starts at 6pm.
Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni believes his side’s winning mentality was driving them on to add another Asian Cup title to the three they won in 1992, 2000 and 2004, and insists they are a stronger team now than when they arrived here over three weeks ago.
“I like the way we qualified for the final, we had many difficult matches,” Zaccheroni told reporters on the eve of the final. “One important factor is the togetherness. The players on the bench fought like they are on the field.
“Some of the matches, we played with 10 players, but even if it was difficult we managed to get through it. Team spirit and togetherness are the key factors,” the Italian said, referring to a 2-1 victory over Syria at group stage and a comeback 3-2 win in quarter-finals against hosts Qatar after being down to 10 men. In a pulsating semi-final, they defeated South Korea 3-0 on penalties after the match ended 2-2 at the end of extra time.
Japan, who defeated Australia on penalties in the quarter-finals at the 2007 Asian Cup, will be without Shinji Kagawa who broke a bone in his right foot during their semi-final victory over South Korea.
Zaccheroni was disappointed to lose Kagawa but he is confident his team can overcome the absence of the Borussia Dortmund midfielder.
“Kagawa contributed a lot to the team on the way to the final and he was getting better and better. It was disappointing both for the team and him,” said the Italian coach.
“But I already know who will replace him and I have full confidence in that player. I know the player well from watching him in the J-League and I think he will be able to take over from Kagawa,” he said without naming the player.
The former AC Milan and Juventus also brushed aside the notion that Australia coach Holger Osieck’s knowledge of Japanese football will have give the Socceroos an edge in today’s final.
“Osieck had managed a J-League team in the past and I also believe he knows Japan team. But we have also researched the Australian team and we know them well now,” he said.
“Both teams have a totally different style. Australia looks like the perfect team, while Japan are a young team. It will be a very difficult match.”
Japan captain Makoto Hasebe, who was a member of J-League side Urawa Red Diamonds who lifted AFC Champions League under Osieck in 2007, is respectful of his former coach but he is giving more importance to earn a win for Japan today.
“I had a great relationship with him when he was with the club,” said the Wolfsburg midfielder. But tomorrow we are opponents and I want to show him that Japanese football has changed.”
Australia, aiming for their maiden Asian Cup triumph, also are not low in confidence either going into the final. They have scored 13 goals with just one against them in five matches. Six of those goals came against Uzbekistan in the semi-finals.
“Lucas (Neill) and rest of the boys have kept their promises so far and we are in the final. All the players are ready for the match,” said Osieck.
But the German ruled out suggestions that his insight into Japanese football, from his time as manager there, would be too significant in the final.
“Having knowledge is one thing but transferring it into action is another,” he explained. “Japan are not an easy team to play against. They played with different style at last World Cup. Many of the players are still there but with the new coach they are now playing a new set up. So I’m expecting a tough challenge tomorrow,” he said.
Australia hold a 7-5 win-loss record in the 16 previous meetings between the two sides.
And the 62-year-old coach does see Australia benefitting much from the absence of Kagawa. “I would not like to single out a player because I have a very great impression of the Japanese team playing as a unit,” he added.
Team captain Neill believes there is a belief now coursing through the entire Australian team, with Osieck bringing in further discipline into the side.
The defender feels today’s final as a wonderful opportunity for himself, and other veterans Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell, Brett Emerton and goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to win their first major trophy.
“For this era of players, it’s an ideal opportunity to win something. It would be a very nice reward for a lot of hard work and sacrifice. Together, we have lifted football in Australia and it would be a nice reward for that work,” he said.