Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu has revealed that he plans on asking Spain legend Andres Iniesta for advice on how to beat Luis Enrique's side at this year's World Cup.
Spain and Japan will face each other in the group stages of the competition after they were pitted against one another in Group E following Friday's draw. Germany and the winner of Costa Rica and New Zealand complete the group.
Moriyasu is already devising a plan on how to beat one of the tournament's favourites and is looking to use the Barcelona legend as a 'spy', given how Iniesta currently plays club football in Japan with Vissel Kobe, where he is also captain.
Iniesta, 37, won the World Cup with Spain in 2010 before going on to win the Euros two years later in what was one of the best teams of all time.
However, the Japan manager is hoping Iniesta will put his national pride to one side and offer tips on how to beat his compatriots come November.
'We will ask Iniesta how to beat Spain,' Moriyasu told EFE.
Moriyasu insists Japan is an attractive destination for the world's best players, given there already many Spaniards in Japan's top league.
But while the odds are stacked against the Japanese given the calibre of opponent already in their group, Moriyasu insists he only feels 'joy' at competing with the very best.
'I feel joy in being able to play countries who have experience of winning the tournament, in Spain and Germany,' he added.
'We're aiming to reach the last eight, but we can't get there unless we beat the strongest nations in the world. We'll have a thorough preparation thinking how we can do that.'
Javimor
0
Would make for an interesting conversation