Defending champions wary about favoritism tag at Asian Cup

NEWCASTLE, Australia — Japan forward Keisuke Honda is uncomfortable with his team's status as favorites at the Asian Cup.

Honda and his Japan side play their first match Monday against Palestine and while the fledging Middle East football team is considered a huge underdog against the defending champions, Honda rejects the pre-tournament hype.

The Milan forward says "we are expecting some very difficult games at the Asian Cup ... all teams, are strong" and said complacency "is the great enemy."

Javier Aguirre, hired in August to replace Alberto Zaccheroni as Japan coach, has since become embroiled in a match-fixing investigation from his time in the Spanish league.

Aguirre denies any wrongdoing, and Japan defender Maya Yoshida says the team hasn't been distracted by the allegations against its coach.