FIFA World Cup 2010
Japan
 Japan
Japan Football Association Best Results
World Cup Round of 16, 2002 Asian Cup Champions, 1992, 2000, 2004 Olympic medal Bronze 1968 |
Japan has established itself as one of the most dominant teams on the Asian continent. Its excellent performance in the latest events of the Asian Cup – the team has won three of the last five events – give evidence to Japan’s rapid development in football. Despite their laudable performances in Asia, however, the Blue Samurai have not yet succeeded in other arenas.
The South Africa World Cup 2010 represents Japan’s fourth participation in the FIFA World Cups. The team began its journey in the 1998 France World Cup. With the exception of the 2002 World Cup, which Japan hosted together with South Korea, the Japanese squad has failed to advance beyond the first round. Maybe the team, led by Takeshi Okada, will have better results in South Africa. The manager is determined to guide the team to the semifinals, not an easy task for a squad that seems to get stage fright in world events.
Qualifying Stage
Japan easily dominated the early rounds of the qualifications. Upon reaching the fourth round, the team suffered a defeat at home against Australia 2-1.
In the next match, Japan struggled for a win against the Australians; however, the Socceroos managed to draw. In the series Japan won four games, drew three and lost only one. In fact, Bahrain, Qatar, and Uzbekistan didn’t threaten either the Japanese or the Australians.
Players
Defender Yuji Nakazawa, of the Yokohama F. Marinos, is a 32-year-old player that has proven himself a firewall in the Japanese defense. In the midfield, coach Okada prepared Shunsuke Nakamura, former player in Reggina (Italian Club), Celtics FC (Scottish Club), and Real Club Deportivo Español. Keisuke Honda is another strong player in the midfield. At only 23 years old, this young player has gained entry in the European leagues, where he has shown his talent and skill on the pitch. In the offense is Takayuki Morimoto, at 21 years old, who is the youngest Japanese player in the first division of his country.
Head Coach
Considered one of the best Japanese coaches, Mr. Takeshi Okada is once more in charge of the Japanese national team. At 53 years old, Okada has stated that he will not change his tactics, which are geared toward defeating the strongest participants in the 2010 World Cup.