|
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Multimedia Central Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities Work in Sports
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE
|  |
'The magic formula' Japan's 'witch doctor' preps for Saudis in Asian final
BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) -- Phillippe Troussier thinks he can accurately predict the future. His claim to supernatural powers may be justified, at least when it comes to the Asian Cup final. "I said before, after our first match, that we will meet Saudi Arabia in the final," the Frenchman said after Japan defeated China 3-2 on Thursday to set up a final against the Saudis on Sunday. "I am after all the white witch doctor," said Troussier, who took over Japan two years ago after a decade coaching in Africa. Sunday's Japan-Saudi Arabia final in Beirut's Cite Sportive (Sports City) will be a rematch of the two sides' opening group game on Oct. 14 in the southern port city of Sidon. Japan won 4-1, shocking the defending champion, which responded by sacking Czech coach Milan Macala and putting in charge his assistant, Saudi national Nasser Al-Johar. But Troussier is not drawing any conclusions from a win that saw his prolific forwards toy with the Saudi defense and come close to scoring a few more. "I have great respect for everyone," he said. "It was the Saudis' first match, but now they have every reason to be motivated. Come Sunday and we'll have a former champion against a dynamic and young Japan." Already calling Saudi Arabia a "former champion" maybe a slip of the tongue, but Troussier may be forgiven for jumping the gun. His team has been a joy to behold in this 12-nation tournament where the soccer has been less than spectacular. In its five games to date in Lebanon, Japan scored 20 goals and conceded six, including an own goal in its group match with the Saudis, and put on show after show of speed, stamina and skill. Led by prolific and young forwards Akinori Nishizawa -- the tournament's top scorer with six goals -- and Naohiro Takahara, Japan appeared at times to have the ability to score with impunity. Beside their 4-1 win over the Saudis, their finishing skills were evident against modest Uzbekistan, 8-1, and against Iraq in the quarterfinals, 4-1. With a quarterfinal berth secured, a second-string side drew 1-1 with Qatar. The highly disciplined Japanese showed character when they responded with composure after being stunned by an early Iraq goal on Tuesday. But their real test came Thursday when they battled from 1-2 against an organized Chinese team to win 3-2 and keep China's forwards at bay when they desperately tried to equalize in the game's late stages. Their intelligent possession following their 61st minute winner against China showed a level of maturity that may come in handy against the experienced Saudis, who will be looking to win the Asian Cup for an unprecedented fourth time. Japan, which will be without gifted midfielder Junichi Inamoto in Sunday's final through suspension, won the trophy only once, at home in 1992. This 12th edition of the Asian Cup will be the last continental tournament it plays before it jointly hosts the 2002 World Cup with South Korea. But with his gifted players and his claim to tell the future, Troussier may well be celebrating Sunday night. "I think I have discovered the magic formula. I am not surprised that I did, after 10 years in Africa and two in Asia."
| ||||||||||||||||||||
