"This won’t guarantee us anything against Uzbekistan," he said after the former Asian champions blanked Belgium 4-0 on Sunday following a 4-0 defeat of Chile last week in the three-nation Kirin Cup here.

Chile and Belgium, both lacking some key players, drew 1-1 on Friday.

"We need to refresh our minds for the Uzbekistan game, and definitely come home with a victory," Okada said.

"I am sure we all know we can’t indulge ourselves in drinking now," he added, referring to any celebrations for winning the Kirin Cup.

Japan will become the first country to qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa if they beat Uzbekistan away in Tashkent, booking a fourth straight ticket to the big stage.

Australia lead Asia’s Group A with 13 points, two clear of Japan, with three games left to play.

Bahrain trail with seven points while Uzbekistan and Qatar have four points each. The top two teams automatically qualify.

But Okada reminded that his target was a semi-final spot in South Africa, a goal widely snubbed as unrealistic when he set it after taking over from Ivica Osim in late 2007 when the Bosnian suffered a stroke.

"We will aim for it seriously and with belief. Then we will naturally understand what we shall do," said Okada, who piloted Japan to a winless World Cup debut at France 1998 in his first stint as national coach.

"Every one of us knows it won’t be so easy. So it will depend on whether we will be serious enough."

The Blue Samurai reached the last-16 round in 2002 at home under French coach Philippe Troussier but faded with two losses and one draw under Brazilian legend Zico at the group stage in 2006 in Germany.

Belgium coach Frankie Vercauteren said about Okada’s goal, "I won’t say he has no chance but we must be realistic. It will be difficult as there are many teams which want to reach the last four."

Okada is known as a disciplinarian and he was furious at half-time on Sunday after his squad, starring Celtic playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura and Gamba Osaka midfielder Yasuhito Endo, led 2-0 at the National Stadium.

Kawasaki Frontale midfielder Kengo Nakamura set up the opener for Yuto Nagatomo and scored himself on 23 minutes.

"The team got very fine rhythm in the first 20 minutes or so. But they gradually slowed down as if they thought playing 80 percent was enough," the coach said.

"I told them at half-time, ’What are we playing this game for? We are doing it in an effort to beat Uzbekistan. I want you to think it over’.

"They came out playing aggressive football in the second half."

Shinji Okazaki got their third on the hour and substitute forward Kisho Yano struck home to wrap it up after 77 minutes.