Japan World Cup 2006 Team Profile

World Cup Match Tickets

John Herbert

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It's extremely difficult to predict just how Japan will fare in Germany in 2006. With the experience of two World Cups behind them they are no longer newbies on the world stage.

Japan must fancy their chances of finishing in second place in Group F, behind Brazil. However, Australia and Croatia will provide stern opposition.

Japan are coached by Brazilian legend, Zico. He has had a mixed time of it during his reign. He appears undecided on the best formation to choose and there are many questions left unanswered. Will he choose players to fit around a formation, or choose a formation to suit his best lineup? Will he base his team on experience or youth, or a combination of both? In all likelihood, it will probably be experience in his starting lineup, but with youth in the squad. He'll probably favor a cautious approach.

Squad Analysis

Goalkeeper

The current number 1 is Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi. Master of the spectacular save, but not a commander of the penalty area. There's a reason why he couldn't cut it in England's second-tier league. Much will depend on his brittle confidence. Some good saves and his confidence will spread to his back four (or five), but a blunder or two through rash decision-making, and the panic will spread throughout the defence. Japan's fate could well be in his hands.

The Defence

The defence is a worry. If they can marshal themselves as a well-knit unit, then perhaps they can keep the opposition at bay. But the centre of defence, in spite of the experience of Miyamoto and Nakazawa, can be a panic zone at times. Not helped by a keeper that doesn't command his box, much will depend on gaining a great deal of understanding before the World Cup begins. Alex, at left-back, will add some dynamism going forward and some much-needed belligerence, too. His passion and self-confidence will be a vital ingredient. Whether he can defend well enough against some top class forwards is another matter. The right side of defence will probably be filled by the unspectacular Kaji.

The Midfield

The midfield holds Zico's aces and those with the most overseas experience. It also has a good balance. Nakata's star is waning while he warms the bench at Bolton. Yet, he above all others may hold the key in this World Cup. If he can act as a unifying influence on the others, then Japan may surprise some people. Nakata has been there and done it, and this experience, used wisely, will help all those around him. A clever passer of the ball, but can his teammates tune in to his wavelength?

Nakamura, known by his first name of Shunsuke throughout Japan, is the darling of the Japanese pundits. Left out of Troussier's squad for the 2002 World Cup, he will play a big part this time. His exquisite, left-footed dead ball kicks rival the world's best. The trouble is the other aspects to his game. He must have toughened up after playing for Celtic in a few Glaswegian derbies but is it enough for such an archetypal lightweight?

Ono has returned to Japan from Holland. He has come back from injury and has the ability to play a defence-splitting pass. Also can ghost late into the area to add vital goals. If he has shrugged off his injuries then he will be one to watch.

Ogasawara makes up the probable starting quartet. He's the man with the hot shot, and a tremendous workrate.

Inamoto will be there, after a fairly torrid season with West Brom, but will he start? Unlikely in a four man midfield, likely if it is five.

Forwards

The frontline is not exactly potent. Contenders for the front two (?) berths play both abroad and at home. Those who have played abroad include Takahara, Hamburg SV's "sushi-bomber"; the sharp and sturdy Oguro (Grenoble); the diminutive Okubo (Majorca); Yanagisawa (Serie A); and the lumbering Suzuki (both Belgium and Belgrade). On the home front there is Yokohama's rangy Kubo, Nagoya's Tamada, and the fresh faces of targetman Maki (JEF Utd) and the nippy Sato (Hiroshima San Frecce). Don't expect loads of goals from this crew!

More than any one player, the key aspect for Japan's World Cup hopes will be their confidence. A good start against Australia in Kaiserslautern on June 12 and they have every chance of progressing.

World Cup Squad

Bet on the World Cup

Goalkeepers Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi (Jubilo Iwata), Yoichi Doi (FC Tokyo), Seigo Narazaki (Nagoya Grampus Eight)
Defenders Makoto Tanaka (Jubilo Iwata), Tsuneyasu Miyamoto (Gamba Osaka), Alessandro Santos (Urawa Reds), Yuji Nakazawa (Yokohama F Marinos), Keisuke Tsuboi (Urawa Reds), Akira Kaji (Gamba Osaka), Yuichi Komano (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Koji Nakata (Basle, Switzerland)
Midfielders Takashi Fukunishi (Jubilo Iwata), Mitsuo Ogasawara (Kashima Antlers), Shinji Ono (Urawa Reds), Yasuhito Endo (Gamba Osaka), Hidetoshi Nakata (Bolton, England), Shunsuke Nakamura (Celtic, Scotland), Junichi Inamoto (West Bromwich Albion, England)
Forwards Seiichiro Maki (JEF United Chiba), Keiji Tamada (Nagoya Grampus Eight), Atsushi Yanagisawa (Kashima Antlers), Masashi Oguro (Grenoble, France), Naohiro Takahara (Hamburg, Germany)

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