Aston Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki said he is confident Japan can win next year’s Asian Cup and thinks his “very bad” performances were responsible for their quarter-final exit two years ago.
Suzuki, who has impressed in the Premier League since joining Villa in the summer, made a string of mistakes at the 2024 Asian Cup in Qatar as Japan were bundled out in the last eight by Iran.
He said on Monday that he is now a better keeper and backed Japan to end their 16-year wait for the continental title when the tournament starts in January in Saudi Arabia.
“The last time, I played for the first time, I played very bad and I led the team to defeat,” the 24-year-old said after Japan’s 2-1 friendly win over New Zealand in Tokyo.
“This time I experienced a lot of things and I played at the World Cup and I’m playing in the Premier League, so I have confidence.
“I want to help the team and we are confident to win the Asian Cup,” he added.
Suzuki joined Villa from Italian side Parma and has slotted straight in after replacing Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez, who left for Chelsea.
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