Three lame performances and cakewalk over India at home have some giving voice to the unthinkable: Japan is not and will not be ready in time for the World Cup come June. Against the US, Japan was thrashed. Japan "redeemed" itself in the eyes of Coach Zico with an unimpressive win against Finland at home a week later. In Germany against an understrength Bosnia-Herzegovina, a miracle tie took pressure off of Zico.
An awful display. The 7th ranked US dominated the match for 75 of the 90 minutes, winning 3-2. In every aspect of the match - speed, creativity, physicality - the Americans were superior. For long stretches the ball never left Japan's half. The final scoreline of 3-2 in no way reflected the match.
Both teams fielded players from their domestic leagues, leaving off those in Europe. The US's B-team, however, looked very sharp indeed. The only good news to come out of the match was Seiichiro Maki's goal in his debut match for the national side. The big forward was one of the few players equal to the US in terms of strength and speed. However, in midfield, things were in disarray. Japan went into the match assuming they would at least hold their own. Landon Donovan et al were faster and technically superior.
A complete thumping. An unprepared team. A coach with no clue.
Against an understrength Finland, Japan came away with a shaky 2-0 win. The 46th ranked Finns, playing their B-team away to Japan, never threatened. They were big and slow and plodding. And still Japan could manage only one "real" goal. Forward Tatsuhiko Kubo finished nicely with a flick from a cross. The second goal was a miracle chip from some 50+ meters out. Mitsuo Ogasawara caught Finnish keeper off his line, and sent a hail mary chip shot over the goalie's flailing arms.
At the other end, Finland did not have one legitimate shot. Prior to the match, Finland coach Roy Hodgson stated in a pre-game press conference that his team had no chance at winning.
Japan downed India in an Asian Cup preliminary match 6-0 at home. Played in front of a small crowd, Japan overwhlemed the visitors, who languish some 100 spots below Japan in FIFA rankings.
Anything less than this result--and the three points for the win--would have been cause for alarm.
Former Japan Captain Hidetoshi Nakata headed home in the waning seconds of the match to give Zico Japan a 2-2 tie against a Bosnia-Herzegovina side that failed to qualify for the World Cup and that is ranked 47 spots below Japan.
In all honesty, the Balkan side could have--should have--scored on several occasions. The pace and creativity of the Bosnians was simply too much for Kaji, Nakazawa, and, in particular, Miyamoto.
Still, Zico was as always content with the result. "I'm very satisfied because they fought until the very end."
Japan's defending was suspect, and up front the forwards created few chances. With three months till showtime, Japan will need divine intervention if it hopes to get out of the first round.
| Date | Opponent | Location | Match Type |
| February 10 | USA (3-2, loss) | San Francisco | Friendly |
| February 18 | Finland (2-0, win) | Shizuoka, Japan | Friendly |
| February 22 | India (6-0, win) | Nissan Stadium | Asia Cup Preliminary |
| February 28 | Bosnia Herzegovina (2-2) | Germany | Friendly |
| March 30 | Ecuador | Oita | Friendly |
| Mid-May | Undecided | Japan (undecided) | Kirin Cup |
| May 30 | Germany | Germany | Friendly |
| Early June | Undecided | Germany | Friendly |
FIFA announced in mid-February that it will allow host Japan to have one J.League team participate in the World Club Championships this December. The 2006 J.League champion is slated to join the December 10-17 tournament, which brings the total number of teams to seven.
The tournament features the best club team from each of the six continents, plus the addition now of a J.League side. At last year's tournament, matches were well attended but not sold out. Organizers hope the addition of a local side will sell more tickets.
Hidetoshi Nakata, Bolton
Nakata is getting more and more playing time at Bolton, which is currently in seventh place in the Premiership.
Shunsuke Nakamura: Celtic
Nakamura was rested in a recent match, only logging 9 minutes as Celtic defeated Dunfermline 8-1.
Junichi Inamoto, West Brom
Inamoto has been spotted on the pitch of late, but has yet to produce the form he was known for in Japan.
Sota Hirayama, Heracles
The towering Hirayama continues to play well. He has not scored in several weeks, but has cemented his spot as a starter in the Dutch first division
Naohiro Takahara, Hamburg SV
Takahara remains on the bench - and with the clock ticking its inexorable way down towards the World Cup, he has requested a transfer. He needs playing time to stay sharp.
King Kazu hasn't been heard from much of late.
Yoshito Okubo, Mallorca
Okubo nodded home his first goal of the season. The goal helped struggling Mallorca earn a draw against La Coruna.
Atsushi Yanagisawa, Messina > Kashima
Yanigisawa is on his way back to the J.League. After more than a year of sitting on the bench in Italy, Yanigisawa's club team Messina has loaned him back to his Japanese club Kashima.
Daisuke Matsui, Le Mans
Matsui scored twice in a recent victory over Troyes. The tricky midfielder looks closer and closer to booking a spot on the national side thanks to his performance in France.
Masashi Oguro, Grenoble
Oguro netted for the first time since his transfer to the French second division side. He scored in a 3-1 win away to Sete.
Grenoble, which is Japanese-owned, was eager to get the services of the mop-haired forward. He is aiming to hone his skills in a foreign league in the run-up to the World Cup.
Takayuki Suzuki, Red Star Belgrade
Japan forward Suzuki debuted for Red Star in mid-February. This is his third stint overseas, following spells in Brazil and Belgium.
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The opening match of the 2006 J.League season will take place on March 4th when Gamba Osaka and Urawa Reds square off in Osaka.
Final Goal Scorers, 2005
| Name | Goals | Shots | PK | Games |
Araujo, Gamba Osaka |
33 | 135 | 0/0 | 33 |
| Washington, Tokyo Verdy 1969 | 22 | 102 | 5/7 | 33 |
| Edmilson, Albirex Niigata | 18 | 89 | 1/1 | 33 |
| Hisashi Sato, Hiroshima | 18 | 65 | 0/0 | 32 |
| Magno Alves, Oita | 18 | 100 | 2/3 | 33 |
| Juninho, Kawasaki | 16 | 115 | 0/0 | 31 |
| Oguro, Gamba | 16 | 125 | 0/0 | 31 |
| Alex Mineiro, Kashima | 15 | 66 | 0/0 | 27 |
| Robert Cullen, Jubilo Iwata | 13 | 52 | 0/0 | 31 |
| Robert Cullen, Jubilo | 11 | 46 | 0/0 | 26 |
| Yuki Abe, JEF United | 12 | 77 | 5/5 | 33 |
| Seiichiro Maki, JEF United | 12 | 45 | 0/0 | 33 |
