Japan's Yuto Nagatomo Thursday said Shinji Kagawa got a huge boost from breaking his scoring drought and urged him to keep going for goal ahead of their Asian Cup quarter-final against UAE.

The defender said Kagawa, who has not fully regained his form since his struggles at Manchester United, was grinning from ear to ear after his goal in the 2-0 win over Jordan.

Kagawa's form is potentially vital as defending champions Japan prepare to take on a highly talented UAE side in the Asian Cup quarter-finals on Friday.

"He's the number 10 and the ace of Japan," Nagatomo said. "I think he was feeling a bit of pressure while he wasn't scoring. I think that was a very difficult time for him.

"He looked happy after scoring this goal -- it made me very happy from the bottom of my heart. I hope he can forget that pressure and score more goals."

Coach Javier Aguirre revealed he had encouraged Kagawa to shoot more, and hoped he would gain confidence from his firm, side-footed strike which went in off the 'keeper.

"I was asking him to get more into the box and think about scoring rather than assisting when he has chances. I think this goal will give him confidence," said the Mexican.

Kagawa's confidence took such a battering after failing to establish himself at Manchester United that he was a peripheral figure at the World Cup and has not reached anything like his top form for the Blue Samurai since.

His return to Borussia Dortmund has also done little to boost his international displays and his late strike against Jordan came as a relief to both the player and his team.

Earlier captain Makoto Hasebe said Kagawa has the right stuff to be the future leader of Japan as team-mates rally round the out-of-sorts star.

"In terms of technique and quality, you can't have any doubts about him as a player," Hasebe told reporters. "The rest is the mental side."

AC Milan dynamo Keisuke Honda, a natural leader who scored in all three of Japan's group games, would appear a solid choice for captain over the less vocal Kagawa.

Southampton defender Maya Yoshida would be another candidate but Hasebe, who made a record 56th appearance as Japan skipper against Jordan, insisted: "If (Shinji) can just develop the ability to carry the team it will be a big plus for Japan."

Hasebe, 31, added: "I think he would be a good captain. Your circumstances are what make you as a person. If he takes on that responsibility I think certain things will change."

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