Japan players celebrate after defeating Australia in their World Cup 2022 group B qualifying soccer match at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, on Oct. 12, 2021. (Mainichi/Yuki Miyatake)

       HANOI (Kyodo) -- Japan's preparations for their World Cup qualifier away to Vietnam were dealt a blow Tuesday as the Japan Football Association said a chartered flight carrying 11 Europe-based players had been delayed.

       Players including captain Maya Yoshida, Takumi Minamino, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kyogo Furuhashi were scheduled to arrive in Hanoi on Tuesday morning for the Thursday evening fixture, but there was a problem while the plane was refueling in Russia after leaving the Netherlands, the JFA said.

       Japan have won two and lost two in Group B, with both defeats in games right after the players joined up, hinting at the difficulty of performing at their best after traveling long distances.

       Five of Hajime Moriyasu's players started training Monday in the Vietnamese capital, including Vissel Kobe forward Yuya Osako.

       Fewer international friendlies have been arranged amid the COVID-19 pandemic, depriving national teams of opportunities to make tactical adjustments and integrate new faces.

       Japan will also face Oman in Muscat on Nov. 16 as they look to climb up from fourth in the table.

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