It's crunch time in Zico Land. Thanks to a loss and draw in the Kirin Cup, Japan finished dead last in the tournament and final home warm-ups for the World Cup. In two matches, against Bulgaria and Scotland, Japan managed but a single goal.
On May 15th, Zico announced the team that will travel to Germany for the World Cup. The biggest surprise was perhaps the omission of Le Mans midfielder Daisuke Matsui. As predicted Zico went with a group of players playing in Europe and, in Japan, at Kashima Antlers, his former club. True to form, he selected the the ailing and inept Atsushi Yanagisawa up front. Yanagisawa played in Italy and is now with Kashima. Surprisingly, Seiichiro Maki, the JEF United striker, was chosen to make the trip to Germany.
Japan downed Malta 1-0 in a lackluster effort in Dusseldorf. This is the final warmup prior to the World Cup. Coach Zico rested the ailing front line of Naohiro Takahara and Atsushi Yanigisawa; in their place, Reiji Tamada and Masashi Oguro started. Tamada got the lone goal, and Oguro came close on several occasions.
Germany looked slow; or, put another way, Japan looked sharp. Japan went up 2-0 on two tallies courtesy of Bundesliga striker Naohiro Takahara, who blazed past large, lumbering German defenders. Hidetoshi Nakata and others probably should have netted as well.
In the second half, however, Germany dominated. It pulled back on goals from Klose and Schweinsteiger with about 15 minutes remaining. That familiar sense of dread came on strong: another classic choke staring us in the face. The usual collapse was only minutes away.
However, in the waning minutes Masashi Oguro missed two point-blank opportunites, and Japan played hard, taking it to the weary-looking Germans.
At long last: signs of hope.
In Zico's final match as coach in Japan, once again his forwards failed to produce, drawing with Scotland 0-0. Tatsuhiko Kubo missed perhaps the easiest opportunity of the match, firing well over the net from point blank.
We are not hopeful for Germany.
Zico Japan got stung by a last minute goal, losing 2-1 to Bulgaria. Japan had the lion's share of possession, and Keiji Tamada looked dangerous up front. However, Japan gave up two silly goals, one in the first minute of play, the other in the final minute. In between Japan controlled the midfield but could not score. Playing at home against a side that did not qualify for the World Cup, has nothing to play for but pride and a bit of cash, is ranked well below Japan--on paper it should have been an easy win. But Japanese forwards cannot score, and we cannot blame Zico for that.
Zico started Seiichiro Maki and Tamada, and several other players who are fighting for a spot on the team that will travel to Germany. Motivation was there, the fans were there; but once again the goals were not. Tamada hit the post and, later, came close with a shot that crashed into the side of the net. The only goal came on a deflection from a shot that appeared to hit Maki's shin and shimmy into the net. A disappointing match.
Oita StadiumAnother weak showing by Zico Japan - a 1-0 win over Ecuador in Oita - should be creating panic. On the Planet Zico, however, all is well, don't worry be happy, we're on our way to Germany.
Zico got his first win against a Latin side courtesy of a late strike by Hisashi Sato. The goal, which came with five minutes to play, caused sighs of relief all around. Japan dominated Ecuador, which finished third in the South American group behind Brazil and Argentina. However, the perennial problem of finding the net continues. For the What me, Worry? coach of the 15th ranked team in the world, perhaps his biggest source of anxiety will be whom to choose up front.
Japan's next matches are the Kirin Cup, on May 9th (Bulgaria) and May 13th (Scotland). For Tickets call 03-5237-9955 within Japan.
| 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 (1-0, win) | Oita | Friendly |
| May 9 | Bulgaria (2-1, loss) | Osaka Nagai | Kirin Cup |
| May 13 | Scotland (0-0) | Saitama | Kirin Cup |
| May 30 | Germany (2-2) | Germany | Friendly |
| June 4 | Malta (1-0, win) | Germany | Friendly |
In spite of suffering record low sales in 2005, the government bureaucrats who oversee the J.League Toto lottery announced forecasts for the 2006 season with a "rise in sales of 11.5 billion yen" ($97.7 million).
The National Agency for the Advancement of Sports and Health has introduced cost-cutting measures in an attempt at reversing the lottery's declining popularity. Tickets are sold in convenience stores and other locations throughout Japan to anyone 19 or older. Tickets can bought for as little as 100 yen.
In 2001, Toto earned 64.2 billion yen ($544 million). Since then sales have steadily decreased. in 2005 sales reached only 14.9 billion yen ($126 million).
Hidetoshi Nakata, Bolton
Bolton is now in eighth place miles behind the League leaders. Nakata is seeing time in matches and staying fit for the World Cup--against West Brom in mid-April he played a full 90 minutes--but may look to move after July.
Charlton Athletic has made an offer for the Japan midfielder. Currently on loan at Bolton, Nakata is an athletic and intelligent player. Charlton's offer is reported to be for an annual salary of 1.2 million pounds.
Shunsuke Nakamura: Celtic
Celtic clinched the Scottish Premier League in early April. The Bhoys did so with a 1-0 victory over Hearts on April 6th. This makes Shunsuke Nakamura the fourth Japanese to be on a European championship side: Yasuhiko Onodera (Cologne), Hidetoshi Nakata (Roma), and Junichi Inamoto (Arsenal).
Shunsuke, who has his eyes on a transfer to Spain, has been one of the central figures for Celtic this season. In a match soon thereafter, Nakamura's two goals contributed to a 4-1 thrashing of Kilmarnock.
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. He is also seeing less and less time on the field for the national side and his place is not assured.
Sota Hirayama, Heracles
Hirayama headed home in an early April win against NAC Breda. Heracles 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.
May 15
Takahara signed today with Frankfurt. In a two-year deal, Taka will leave Hamburg where he rode the bench. In 97 appearances, he scored 13 goals.
Yoshito Okubo, Mallorca
Okubo was let go by his Spanish side. There have been no reports of other offers. He scored just two goals this year.
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 scored a hat trick on April 4th in a 5-1 win over Grenoble.
Takayuki Suzuki, Red Star Belgrade
Japan forward Suzuki got his first goals of the season in early April. He still hopes to be chosen for the trip to Germany.
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FIFA rejected in early June a J.League proposal to be given an automatic place in the Club World Cup, which will be held in December in Japan. The championship, formerly known as the Club World Chamionship, features the club champions from each of the six continents.
After an unimpressive win in the rain against bottom-scraper Cerezo, Kawasaki Frontal is now in sole possession of first place with 27 points from 12 matches. Urawa Reds are one point behind the leaders. Gamba Osaka--which has a match in hand--is in third place with 25 points in 11 matches.
The J.League will now be off for an extended break because of the World Cup. The next matches take place in July.
Gamba lost to Niigata--and lost a chance to take sole possession of first place. The Reds are on top with 23 points, with Gamba and Kashima trailing by a point. Plucky Kawasaki Frontale is is in fourth with 21 points.
Over the weekend, Kyoto and Cerezo tied in the race to the bottom. Still farther down the table, Hiroshima has yet to win a match this year, and is in dead last with just four points.
Following action over the weekend, Gamba is now on top thanks to a 1-0 win over FC Tokyo at home and a loss by former leader Urawa Reds to Shimizu. Gamba is is in first place with 22 points in 9 matches. Kawasaki continued its run with a win away at Nagoya, and is now in second place with 20 points but a league-leading goal difference of plus 17.
At the other end of the table, Kyoto lost a tight match at home to Kashima. Kyoto played well but created few chances up front. Paulhinho was out for the match due to yellow cards, but coach Hashiratani can take comfort in how improved the team is.
At the bottom, Hiroshima and Cerezo tied.
The top teams are starting to pull away. After eight matches, Urawa leads with 20 points with Gamba a point behind. Kawasaki is in fourth place after seven matches.
At the other end of the table, Hiroshima and Cerezo are nosediving. Hiroshima has but three points after seven games; Cerezo, which nearly won the League last season, is in 17th place with four points. The Osakans have been outscored by a whopping eleven goals.
Kyoto Purple Sanga Fans