I don’t know a thing about Japan- Mabo

Mabo told nigeriasports.com about two hours to Japan’s opening match against Sweden that he was in the dark as to what their opponents look like or how they play.

“I have not watched them play and my first knowledge of them will be what I see here in Athens and for the Swedes, I watched them for the first time last year when they played against the Falcons at the World Cup and ever since it has been complete darkness for me.”

Mabo however, was optimistic that his girls will overcome the Japanese hurdle on Saturday.

“They are doing well and we will represent the continent well. I like the spirit in camp where every one wants to play. That is good. It’s a god thing for us.”

Players ignorant of foes too

Perhaps, Chief Coach, Mabo is not the only one in the dark about the Japanese team come Saturday as second choice keeper, Ogechi Onyinanya also told nigeriasports.com that the only knowledge of the Japanese they might have going into the match is what they see of them on the pitch.

“I just believe when we get unto the pitch with them on Saturday we will need only about five minutes to watch them to understand them.”

“Our pattern is our strength and we will surely use it against them while we know their own pattern strength is in their speed and we will mark them man for man.”

Vera Okolo said she was depending on the older players in the team to tell her what the Japanese will be like.

“I must confess I know nothing about them as I have not played against Japan before or played in any league that has Japanese players, but I’m sure some of the older players in the team like Mercy Akide, Rita Nwadike, Stella Mbachu and Maureen Mmadu should be able to tell us one or two things about them.”

Mercy Akide was not too pleased about the development.

“No serious person goes to write an exam without studying hard for it. This is not good for the team and I hope it will not work against us. We will be looking on the coaches to tell us what to do when the time comes, though I am optimistic that the game will end in our favour on Saturday.”

In the opening game of the group, Japan beat favourites, Sweden by a lone goal and nigeriasports.com understands that Falcons Chief Coach, Ismaila Mabo was in the terraces watching the game.