Okazaki: Fight For 90 Minutes

First Team
17 Aug 2017
2 Minutes
Shinji Okazaki says Leicester City must show their battling spirit up until the full-time whistle on Saturday against newly-promoted Brighton and Hove Albion at King Power Stadium.

- Leicester City face a challenging test against a ‘compact’ Brighton and Hove Albion side, according to Shinji Okazaki
- The Seagulls visit King Power Stadium for the Premier League clash on Saturday
- Okazaki says his goal at Arsenal has given him confidence heading into the game

The Foxes were undone by two late goals against Arsenal last time out, while Chris Hughton’s outfit conceded twice in five minutes during their loss to Manchester City.

As both sides go in search of their first win of 2017/18, Okazaki stressed the importance of remaining concentrated against an outfit that finished second in the Championship last term.

“They have a very compact defence and they have togetherness like Leicester City. It will be a difficult match and we need to concentrate,” said the Japan striker.

It gives me confidence because I’m a striker. I want to score more and to score in the first match is very good for my confidence.

Shinji Okazaki

“We must fight together for 90 minutes. We have to play very well. They have confidence and they’ll challenge us.

“This mentality is very strong – they’re not scared and they’re enjoying being in the Premier League.

“We’re the same as well. We challenge in every match and we enjoy it, so it’ll be a fast match at King Power Stadium.”

Okazaki sprints during a training drill.

Okazaki netted City’s first goal of the 2017/18 Premier League season against the Gunners and the striker is in the hunt for more in the coming weeks.

He added: “It gives me confidence because I’m a striker. I want to score more and to score in the first match is very good for my confidence.

“We were disappointed but we had two days off and when we came back, everyone has forgotten and are focused on the next game now.

“We had a great performance. They scored early to make it 1-0, but after that it was a great reaction. We went 2-1 and 3-2 up which was very nice. We lost but it’s positive that we scored three goals.”