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French coaches hail the Rising Son

Philippe Troussier as seen in a Japanese advertisement

Two prominent French managers, Philippe Troussier, Japan's national team boss, and Aime Jacquet, ex-coach of World Cup holders France, both stated that Japan has the quality to win the World Cup on home soil in 2002. They base their views on:

Victory at the 2000 Asian Cup in Lebanon.
The team made the quarter-finals at the Sydney Olympics before going out on penalties.
Good results at the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship in Nigeria, where Japan were runners-up to Spain.
Home advantage.

These factors have convinced the French father figures that Japan could win in 2002.

Nous verrons bien!

Jacquet cites the progress evident in the domestic J-leagues, the overall quality of many of the players, and a recent 2-2 draw with World Cup holders France in Morocco in a pre-Euro 2000 friendly.

Philippe Troussier Factfile

Date of Birth: 21/March/1955
Place of Birth: Paris, France
Playing Career: 1975-1983.
Management Career: CS Alencon, France (1984-87), Red Star, France (1987-1989), Asec d'Abidjan, Ivory Coast (1989-92), Ivory Coast national team (1993), Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa (1994), CA Rabat, Morocco (1995), FUS Rabat Morocco (1995-97),
Nigeria national team (1997), Burkina Faso national team (1997-98), South Africa national team (1998), Japan national team (1998-2002), Qatar national team (2003-2004).
Coaching Honours: Ivory Coast Championship (1990-1992), Asian Cup Winner with Japan (2000).

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The Soccerphile World Cup 2002 Archives
Click here to go to the current Soccerphile.com

French coaches hail the Rising Son

Philippe Troussier Factfile

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