WORLD CUP 2006
Japan
Introduction
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Japan are playing in their third consecutive World Cup and already look like seasoned participants. They beat Tunisia and Russia last time and reached the last 16. This time round, the media and fans have set the bar at the same height – to get through to the knockout stages – but that is going to be hard to achieve.
Japan’s rise continues to impress. They had not qualified for a World Cup until 1998, and after gaining automatic entry as co-hosts four years ago, this is only the second time that they have won their place on the pitch.
Even so, the Japanese were clear favourites to reach Germany from the start of their section, and never looked like failing. They won their third Asian Cup in four tournaments in 2004 and defeated Greece, the European champions, at last year’s Confederations Cup. Japan also drew 2-2 with Brazil at the latter tournament, and other notable results from the past couple of years include a win against the Czech Republic in Prague in 2004.
So the team are a force to be reckoned with. Their big strengths are strong discipline and a midfield packed with players capable of producing the unexpected; shots can come in from anywhere, with Shunsuke Nakamura to
the fore. The weaknesses are relative inexperience in defence, where Japan have no overseas-based players, slightness of physique, and a lack of outstanding strikers.
The biggest differences from 2002 are that the midfield is even more experienced and versatile now, and that Brazilian coach Zico leads the team in a far different manner to that of French predecessor Philippe Troussier. While the latter drummed strategy and tactics into his players, Zico wants them to play it more off the cuff.
The exciting experiment has been to add the coach’s Brazilian faith in star quality to the loyal, hard-working Japanese ethos. The fascinating mixture has produced some appalling performances but, more often than
not, does allow the team to pull something out of the bag.
Zico has instilled a never-say-die attitude in a team that keeps the fans’ hearts in their mouths, but bounces back from mistakes and produces surprises – witness Mitsuo Ogasawara’s stupendous goal from inside his own half against Finland in February.
The fact Japan can now play this way shows how much the country’s football culture has changed from the era of disciplined but amateurish company teams of only 15 years ago. In a contest of flair and experience, however, it is hardly fair to compare Japan with Brazil. Croatia and Australia, too, have more players at big clubs than Japan.
Assuming that Brazil will take one of the top two slots, Japan’s chances cannot be much better than one in three. Those are long odds, even for a team with their great spirit.
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