Japan booked their spot at the 2014 World Cup finals with a draw against Australia last week but the Asian champions have a score to settle in their final qualifier on Tuesday and have no intention of going easy on Iraq in Doha.
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Iraq held Japan to a 2-2 draw in the Qatari capital 20 years ago in a game that denied the Japanese a place at the 1994 World Cup and was dubbed the "Agony of Doha" by the country's media.
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Two decades on, it is Group B basement dwellers Iraq who must beat Japan in Doha to give themselves any realistic chance of qualifying for Brazil next year.
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Japan are unlikely to show any sympathy, however, particularly with the Confederations Cup on the horizon.
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"In Japanese football history, this is a place we can't ever forget," Kyodo News quoted Shinji Kagawa as saying. "But we are taking the necessary steps to move on toward the future."
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Keisuke Honda, whose injury-time penalty sealed Japan's World Cup finals spot, has been unable to train due to a thigh injury and Manchester United's Kagawa could take over the playmaker role.
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"Wherever I play, I will be ready," added Kagawa.
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"It's really important for us to win and I hope we can finish the qualifying campaign on a high note before going to the Confederations Cup."
Japan is a very good footballing country anytime anyday. They have the players to carry out their job.