The Japanese are currently second in Group A with 11 points, four ahead of third-placed Bahrain with a game in hand, and only need three points from their remaining three qualifiers to reach the World Cup finals for a fourth consecutive time.

And buoyed by back-to-back 4-0 wins against Chile and Belgium in the Kirin Cup late last month, Okada is in confident mood.

“We’ve done all that we have to do for tomorrow’s (Saturday) game,” said Okada, whose team arrived in Tashkent on Tuesday.

“We’ve got players back from injury and poor health, and the motivation of our team is rising.

“If we can set our focus on playing our own football in order to win the game, then I’m convinced that we’ll play a good match.”

Uzbekistan have managed only four points from six games but Okada warned his players not to be complacent against a team that held them to a 1-1 draw in Saitama last October.

“I’ve told our players that they will be punished if they take it easy thinking they can win at any time later,” said the 53-year-old.

“We should do what we have to do to beat Uzbekistan first, then the result will follow.

“Uzbekistan have only four points at the moment but they have good abilities. It’s not going to be easy - it will be a tough game. We are not underestimating them at all.”

The central Asians have not given up hope of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time although they must make up a three-point gap on Bahrain in order to secure a play-off berth.

Coach Midjalal Kasimov, who has restored Uzbekistan’s hopes since replacing Rauf Inileev last September, said that his players must be mentally strong if they hope to secure a first-ever win against the Japanese.

“The most important thing is your mental condition. I’m asking our players to work on that part before taking the pitch,” said the Uzbek legend.

“Japan have very good ball-control. I am expecting that we will be under pressure from them but I hope we can still play with our formation.

“It’s important not to commit unnecessary fouls.”

Fitness concerns have ruled out forwards Maksim Shatskikh and Marat Bikmaev and midfielder Artyyom Filiposyan while defender Anvar Gafurov is suspended but Kasimov remains confident.

“It’s going to be an interesting game and I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

“We’ll do our best in order to earn the result that we need. You never know what happens in football.”