Japan have lined up two friendly matches against Latvia and Canada to prepare for their World Cup qualifying trip to Jordan on 26 March, where they can guarantee a place in next year’s World Cup with a win. Japan sit top Group B with 13 points from five matches with three teams – Australia, Iraq and Oman – all on five points way behind the Samurai Blue. Japan can qualify for Brazil 2014 with two games to spare if they win.

And so, in preparation, Japan bring Latvia to Japan on 6 February and will face Canada in Doha on 22 March – four days before that tie against Jordan.