Nishino’s side picked up their first win on Tuesday in their third game under their new coach – following losses to Ghana and Switzerland – since replacing Vahid Halilhodzic with a 4-2 victory over Paraguay in their final warm-up before travelling to Russia.
“In the three games I’ve just been experimenting, whether it’s with the formation or the players I picked,” Nishino said. “I completely changed the team from the Swiss game and I wanted to see how they responded.
“As you might be able to imagine, we’ve kept a few things to ourselves, including set-pieces. If I were Colombia, I think I’d have a hard time reading into our team. There are things we’ve been able to show and things we haven’t been able to show up until now.
“Everything we’re doing right now is for the Colombia game.”
Nishino and Japan – who arrived in Russia at their base camp in Kazan on Wednesday – heaved a sigh of relief with victory over Paraguay, who knocked the nation out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa on penalties in the last 16.
Paraguay, though, have not qualified for Russia 2018 which opens on Thursday between the hosts and Saudi Arabia, one of five Asian sides at the tournament.
Nishino’s Japan lost 2-0 at home to Ghana on May 30 in their send-off for this FIFA World Cup and were outclassed by the Swiss by the same scoreline last week in Lugano.
Although the Paraguayans drew first blood on Tuesday, Nishino’s men roared back in the second half with a brace from Takashi Inui, an own goal and Shinji Kagawa chipping in with one during stoppage time to seal a maiden international win for the former Vissel Kobe and Nagoya Grampus boss.
Nishino said he had a few pointers for Inui during the break, which the Real Betis midfielder evidently took on board.
“Because he was missing so many easy shots, I told Inui at halftime, ‘Do you have something in your boots? Check the part around your big toe,’” Nishino said. “He changed his boots and after that, he kept his shots down and was a lot more aggressive.
“He had enough chances so you’d expect two goals from him – at least. His strength is to take people on and getting involved even when he doesn’t have the ball, and he was doing that in the second half.”
Japan will be looking for payback against Colombia, who eliminated them from Brazil 2014 in the first round. Nishino understands the public’s frustrations with his team at the moment but remains happy with the progress his players are making towards Russia 2018.
After Colombia, Japan face Senegal on June 24 in Ekaterinburg and close out the group phase four days later against Poland in Volgograd as they bid to reach the second round for the first time, and their second overall, since South Africa 2010.
“I didn’t get the feeling we were outplayed in my first two games (against Ghana and Switzerland,” Nishino said. “We weren’t able to score in those games but we’ve been adjusting bit by bit and it finally bore fruit today with the goals and the win. I think we’ll be going into the tournament on a very positive note.
“I’m really pleased with the way the players responded; I could tell they wanted it and showed a lot of promise. I’m looking forward to the preparations. I’m very happy with the way the players have been performing.”
