Asako Takakura, the first-ever female coach of the Japanese women's national soccer team, said Thursday she does not want to jinx herself by speaking about the Women's Asian Cup trophy before she gets a chance to lift it.
In a press conference a day before Japan face Australia in the final of the Asian Football Confederation's showpiece tournament, Takakura said she would like to see her squad not only defend their title but come away with a satisfying win they can build on.
"I'd be honored if I can lead them to the championship. I hope we end up with a result that allows the players to believe in themselves," she said.
The championship game will be Takakura's first since she replaced Norio Sasaki and took over as Nadeshiko Japan coach in April 2016.
Despite the winner's trophy sitting right in front of her during the media session, Takakura, a four-time AFC Female Coach of the Year, refused to share her thoughts on the coveted prize, saying she would like to save the fun for later.
Friday's title showdown at the Amman International Stadium in Jordan will be a rematch of the 2014 final, when Japan, at the time headed by Sasaki, edged the Matildas 1-0 in Vietnam for their first continental title.
Japan and Australia faced each other in their final Group B match last week, a 1-1 draw which earned both teams qualification to the FIFA Women's World Cup in France.
On her 50th birthday, Takakura thanked attending reporters for a cake they delivered and, after joking that she just turned 20, she said right now she is thinking more about her players than herself.
(Nadeshiko coach Asako Takakura takes a bite of her birthday cake)
"I feel blessed to be able to celebrate my birthday with my players. It happens to be my birthday but this isn't about me," she said.
"I wouldn't mind the players giving me a gift (by winning) but we're still moving forward together. My only wish is that my girls grow into strong players. It would be great if we can share the joy tomorrow," she said.
Japan, ranked 11th in the world, reached the final by beating eight-time Asian Cup champions China 3-1 on Tuesday, while sixth-ranked Australia advanced after beating Thailand on penalties after finishing extra time at 2-2.
