Japan coach Zico promises to go for World Cup title
Japan coach Zico renewed his ambitious goal to go for a World Cup title as the Asian champions left for Germany, despite uplifting international wins by their rivals this week.
“We want to do our best-ever job. We will go for the championship,” Zico told reporters at Tokyo’s Narita airport before the squad of 23 samurai, as they are known here, flew to Frankfurt on the way to set up their World Cup base camp in Bonn.
“I feel a sense of accomplishment today, having worked together with everyone for four years. Now, we are all set to wrap it up,” the 53-year-old Brazilian legend said as some 300 fans gave a rousing send-off.
Zico, a veteran of Brazil’s three failed World Cups, has kept his World Cup target at the highest possible level. But, in a more realistic vein, he recently said he aims to make the knockout stages, hopefully the semi-finals.
After two warm-up matches with Germany and Malta, Japan will open their World Cup campaign against Australia on June 12 in Kaiserslautern before facing Croatia and five-time champions Brazil in Group F.
“What we have on our mind now is just the match in front us,” said Japan captain and central defender Tsuneyasu Miyamoto.
It is Japan’s third straight World Cup appearance since their 1998 debut. Zico’s predecessor Frenchman Philippe Troussier brought them into the round of 16 in 2002 on home turf.
On Thursday, Australia whipped European champions Greece 1-0 at home to boost their morale for their first World Cup campaign in 32 years, coached by seasoned Dutch strategist Guus Hiddink.
Croatia, who finished third at France in 1998, also whitewashed non-qualifiers Austria 4-1 away on Tuesday
In contrast, Japan’s perennial lack of firepower was obvious at their last two friendlies at home in the absence of their Europe-based stars.
They could score only once through a total of 35 shots on goal in a 2-1 defeat by Bulgaria and a scoreless draw with Scotland earlier this month.
“Croatia are very strong. But I know from my experience that the results of friendly matches are not so helpful,” Zico said on Wednesday as Japan wrapped up a week of training at home.
Zico’s Japan, led by Bolton midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata and Celtic dead-ball specialist Shunsuke Nakamura, were seen practicing counterattacks on long balls during the workouts.
Smaller and less physical than leading football nations, Japan usually launch attacks through short midfield passes.
Against Australia, Japan would field three defenders, a more defensive system in which two midfield wingers can reinforce the back line, said Zico, who prefers a more offensive 4-4-2 format.
Source:Soccer Worldcup
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