According to Soccer-king, Japanese international Ayase Ueda stated in an interview that New Zealand is an opponent Japan must be wary of. Their direct style of play and physical approach "won't suit" Japan's game and could prove challenging.

The Japanese national team held a pre-match training session at the National Stadium on the 4th, preparing for the 2026 Kirin Cup final against New Zealand on the 5th.

Including the two 2026 Kirin Challenge Cup matches, Japan faced South American teams in three previous matches, securing three consecutive victories (including one decided by penalty shootout). Ueda, who came off the bench in all three matches and scored three goals, said after training: "While this is just analytical assessment, the opposition has Premier League players in their front line, and it's been that way since the Tokyo Olympics. We expect them to use a straightforward, direct approach to find their striker and attack with impact. For us, rather than not suiting our style, this is an approach that will present challenges. We'll use our analytical information and communicate on the pitch. If we can achieve results as a team, it will boost our confidence and lay the foundation for the next match." He referenced this to his experience playing New Zealand in the Tokyo Olympics quarter-final as he looked ahead to this final.

Regarding the "won't suit" comment, Ueda explained: "It's the same as in the last Asian Cup. Their strikers are tall, their play is straightforward and direct, and there will be more physical confrontation and one-on-one battles. That's the challenge." He further analyzed: "We have many players who can run at high intensity, and we can play collectively. For example, against strong teams like the Netherlands, we also have good ball manipulation skills and can compete as an organized unit. However, against opponents who play a direct, physical game, unexpected situations are more likely to occur. So rather than saying we're poor at that, this is the type of challenge we'll face sooner or later." He also stated that this match "could be a close simulation" to help prepare for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, which will begin in January next year in Saudi Arabia.

Speaking about "aspects that have changed through experimentation, including reflection," after the 2026 World Cup, Ueda identified defense. He mentioned that the team is working to "actively win the ball back for ourselves, and with an eye to Japan's future, this can also improve our ball possession rate." This proactive approach, "while just beginning, is difficult to maintain for a full 90 minutes, but also has positive aspects." He felt its effectiveness across the three matches. "Through experimentation, challenges emerge, and considering our growth, this is very good." He stated that by fully trying new things, new discoveries can be made, and by fully addressing these issues, they can move to the next stage.

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