Blue Samurai skipper wants young side to prove they have guts as well as flair in final against Qatar. Japan beat Iran 3-0 to reach showdown against Qatar. ABU DHABI: Maya Yoshida believes winning a fifth Asian Cup would be a major step forward for Japanese football and a young team still finding its feet on the international stage, the Japan captain said. The Southampton defender is the experienced heart of a youthful side that coach Hajjime Moriyasu has put together since he took over in the wake of Japan’s round of 16 exit from last year’s World Cup. The success of the campaign in Russia combined with a victory over Qatar at Zayed Sports City would give the Blue Samurai a major profile boost back home, the 30-year-old Yoshida said. “If we can get a result here it will get us more attention back home and it will affect the sports culture in Japan,” he said. “I really want to win this fifth title for Japan because we’re such a good group under a great coach and with great team mates and I want to spend more time with these teammates. “Now that the team is changing to a new generation, if we can get the title here it’s going to be a big step forward for Japan football.” Moriyasu said that, while wary of the threat Qatar pose, his team would look to play their own game, which, after an underwhelming start to the tournament, they showcased in an impressive 3-0 win over Iran in the semifinals. “We are aware Qatar are a very strong team, that they have scored 16 goals and kept clean sheets all the way through, but no matter how they play we will stay the same,” he said. “We will analyze them and then we will express our best on the field. We are also a team that has reached the final, so I want the players to be confident because of that. “We have been developing as a team throughout each game and I want us to show that development on the field tomorrow. “I expect both teams to play with 100 percent effort and with fair play and make a good game and show the whole world how we play. That would make another step, not only for Japan, but for Asian football.”