The 2014 champions only need to avoid defeat to advance to the knockout stage, with Poland facing Brazil in the other match, but Shirai said Japan will play to win.
“We will not change our attitude of trying to win three points in every game, and we want to show everyone watching us that we all score goals and defend until the end,” said Shirai after Japan’s 2-1 defeat of Brazil on Sunday.
Having opened their campaign with a goalless stalemate with Poland, Japan found themselves trailing to an eighth minute goal against Brazil.
Momo Sato (49th) and Asako Furuta (53rd), however, delivered in the second half as Japan moved level on four points with Poland.
“I’m glad that everyone didn’t give up and went for the goal right to the end. I told them to keep doing what they were doing and to use the gaps in their down defence line, and it worked,” said Shirai.
Should Japan go through, they will face either DPR Korea or England from Group C in the quarter-finals.
Zambia v Japan
Venue: Estadio Felix Sanchez, Santo Domingo
Kick-off: Thursday, 16:00 (UTC-4)
