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Copa America the next stop for triumphant Samurai Blue
Mike Tuckerman
For a novice international coach, Alberto Zaccheroni possesses an impressive record. One tournament played, one tournament won: and the experienced coach has plenty of leeway to mould the Japan squad as he sees fit.
That might not have been the case had Japan struggled to make an impression on the Asian Cup in Qatar, but after taking a somewhat understrength squad to the Gulf, the Samurai Blue surprised many by winning a record fourth continental crown.
They needed some luck along the way - Japan were largely outplayed by Australia in an absorbing final, until a stunning volley from substitute Tadanari Lee settled proceedings - and their football wasn't always pretty.
But on the whole Japan fans have little cause for concern following Zaccheroni's ascension to power, with the focus now switching to Japan's participation at the upcoming Copa America in July.
In keeping with tradition, Japan and Mexico are the latest in a long line of invitees set to take part in South America's continental championship, which this year is hosted by Argentina.
The hosts are looking to avenge a 1-0 friendly defeat to Japan in Zaccheroni's first match in charge, while Bolivia and Colombia are the other participants in a tough-looking Group A.
With regular central defensive pairing Marcus Tulio Tanaka and Yuji Nakazawa missing the Asian Cup through injury, just how different the Japan squad looks in Argentina is anyone's guess.
But with several fringe squad members making their mark on the Asian Cup - including final hero Tadanari Lee - there's no doubt Zaccheroni has plenty of talent at his disposal.
One player Japan will miss for the foreseeable future is star playmaker Shinji Kagawa, who sustained a metatarsal fracture in Japan's thrilling penalty shoot-out win over arch-rivals South Korea in the Asian Cup semi-finals.
The Borussia Dortmund star has been one of the stand-out talents in Asian football over the past six months, but his run of stellar form came to an unfortunate end before Japan's successful showdown against Australia at Khalifa Stadium.
Despite being named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, Japan's other big-name star Keisuke Honda endured an indifferent campaign by his standards: missing a penalty in extra-time against South Korea and generally drifting in and out of games.
The mercurial CSKA Moscow talent showed glimpses of his best, but with a host of European clubs clamouring for his signature, Honda still has a way to go to be mentioned in the same breath as former Japan great Hidetoshi Nakata.
Copyright: Mike Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com
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