MAYA Yoshida is targeting World Cup qualification after Japan’s Asian Cup final defeat.

Japan were denied a fifth Asian title as underdogs Qatar won the final 3-1 in the United Arab Emirates.

Now Japan captain Yoshida’s next target with his national side is reaching the 2022 World Cup, ahead of their first qualifier in September.

He said: “We have to capitalise upon this experience looking ahead to what comes next. Of course I’m disappointed, but we have to look forward.

“Our first target is, of course, to qualify for the World Cup, and then get over the wall at which we were stopped last time, the round of 16.

“In order to do that we have the Copa America coming up and then in the autumn the World Cup qualifiers, and we have to make sure we learn from this defeat."

Yoshida blamed himself for Qatar’s first two goals.

“For the first and second goals we conceded from a player right in front of me, and I really feel a big sense of regret that I wasn’t able to lead the team to the title,” he added.