Japan's Yoshida hoping for tight backline to see off Senegal at World Cup

Japan centre-back Maya Yoshida believes defensive organization will be key to their success in Sunday's World Cup fixture against Senegal. 

The Samurai Blue are keen to register a second straight win when they lock horns with the Teranga Lions in a Group H clash at the Central Stadium in Yekaterinburg.

In their tournament opener, Shinji Kagawa and Yuya Osako found the back of the net to ensure a 2-1 triumph over Colombia. 

"We’d like to keep them from scoring and then we feel that we should avoid goals from set pieces," Yoshida, who plays club football for English club Southampton, said.

"We’ll have to organise our defence better than in the previous match. 

"For both teams, it’s a very important match. 

"We have to do what we did against Colombia."

With three points already in the bag courtesy of the opening day triumph, a second win could secure Japan a place in the round of 16.

The Samurai Blue, who debuted at the World Cup in 1998, are hoping to make the knockout stage for the third time after round of 16 berths in 2002 and 2010.

They play Poland in their last group game on Thursday.