Under-strength

Zico names depleted Japan squad for Korea clash

TOKYO (Reuters) -- Japan coach Zico, still winless after three games in charge, has named a below-strength squad to face fellow 2002 World Cup co-hosts South Korea next week.

The Brazilian put diplomacy first on Tuesday by not calling up the seven European-based players who started the 2-2 draw with Uruguay on March 28, including Hidetoshi Nakata (Parma), Junichi Inamoto (Fulham) and Shinji Ono (Feyenoord).

However, in their absence the decision to omit Kashima Antlers striker Atsushi Yanagisawa, fit again after suffering a knee injury during the pre-season East Asian Champions Cup, looked all the more puzzling.

Instead, Zico gave Tatsuhiko Kubo a first call-up since his move to Yokohama F-Marinos, with Masashi Nakayama, Teruaki Kurobe and Yoshiteru Yamashita also selected in a makeshift attack.

Zico has selected just five midfielders among his 18-man squad, although Alex, Takashi Fukunishi, Koji Nakata and the in-form Mitsuo Ogasawara all represented Japan at last year's World Cup.

Meanwhile, South Korea coach Humberto Coelho could also be forced to pick a weakened squad for a match that is normally anything but friendly.

Fantastic rivalry

To make matters worse, the former Portugal coach has had to cancel a squad get-together under pressure from K-League clubs.

But South Korea, held to a goalless draw at home by Colombia on March 29 in their first match under Coelho, will still be a slight favorite to beat Japan next Wednesday in Seoul.

"Traditionally, this is a fantastic rivalry between the two best teams in Asia. South Korea have played excellent football recently," Zico told reporters.

"Japan may have some first-choice players out, but that gives the players coming in the chance to stake a claim for a regular place."

South Korea, who reached the World Cup semifinals under Dutchman Guus Hiddink, has won 35 of the 61 matches played between the fierce Asian rivals.

Japan has won just 11 times, with 15 draws, including its most recent meeting in December 2000, which finished 1-1 in Tokyo.

South Korea striker Ahn Jung-hwan scored in that match and will come up against Shimizu S-Pulse teammate Ryuzo Morioka in a key battle at Seoul World Cup Stadium.

Japan squad:

Goalkeepers -- Seigo Narazaki (Nagoya Grampus Eight), Hitoshi Sogahata (Kashima Antlers)

Defenders -- Yutaka Akita (Kashima Antlers), Akira Narahashi (Kashima Antlers), Toshihiro Hattori (Jubilo Iwata), Nobuhisa Yamada (Urawa Reds), Ryuzo Morioka (Shimizu S-Pulse), Tsuneyasu Miyamoto (Gamba Osaka), Keisuke Tsuboi (Urawa Reds)

Midfielders -- Takashi Fukunishi (Jubilo Iwata), Alex (Shimizu S-Pulse), Mitsuo Ogasawara (Kashima Antlers), Koji Nakata (Kashima Antlers), Yasuhito Endo (Gamba Osaka)

Forwards -- Masashi Nakayama (Jubilo Iwata), Tatsuhiko Kubo (Yokohama F-Marinos), Yoshiteru Yamashita (Vegalta Sendai), Teruaki Kurobe (Kyoto Purple Sanga).

 

Related information

Stories

South Korea crushes Costa Rica 4-1 in friendly Inamoto lifts Japan to draw with Uruguay

Multimedia

Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video

Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.