Japan women's ice hockey team coach Yuji Iizuka has urged his players not to feel intimidated when they take on Sweden in Group B at the Sochi Games on Sunday.
The Asian nation will be making its first appearance at the Winter Olympics since the Nagano Games in 1998.
"Since this is the first Olympics for most of the players in the team, the most important thing is mental training so they don't feel anxious or intimidated," the Japan Times quotes him as saying.
"We have a mental coach who works with the players to support them and give them confidence."
The other game in the group on Sunday will see hosts Russia face Germany.
