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TOKYO- Japan's coach Takeshi Okada has poured fuel on his side's intense rivalry with the Socceroos, saying he wants to "shut up" the Australian side.
Okada was speaking as Japan arrived home after routing Qatar 3-0 ahead of their next World Cup qualifier, against Australia in Tokyo on February 11.
"We definitely want to beat Australia and I think it is possible," the coach told reporters as the Blue Samurai returned home from Doha.
"I want to shut them up."
The two nations have developed a strong rivalry since the Socceroos came from nowhere to beat Japan 3-1 in the group stages of the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Japan avenged the loss when they beat Australia on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the 2007 Asian Cup quarter-finals in Hanoi.
Australia last week jumped ahead of Japan on the Fifa rankings, listed at No 37 to the Blue Samurai's No 38.
The Socceroos pulled off a last-gasp 1-0 victory over Bahrain in Manama on Wednesday.
Australia dominate Group A with a perfect nine points from three matches, two points clear of Japan.
Qatar trail with four points from four games, with Bahrain and Uzbekistan at the bottom with one point each.
- AAP