Growing pains

Japan unconcerned by poor recent form

CHANTILLY, France (AP) -- Japan has one victory in 10 months under coach Zico, and it's players aren't concerned heading into the Confederations Cup.

"This is normal. Every team needs time to get used to a new coach, to grow with him," Fulham midfielder Junichi Inamoto said Sunday. "It's just a question of time, of adjusting."

In its most recent games when it hosted the Kirin Cup, Japan lost 4-1 to Argentina, and drew 0-0 with Paraguay. Yet the Japanese remain confident of producing better results this week in its Confederations group against France, New Zealand and Colombia.

"We are planning to go far here," Inamoto said. "We want to show what we are really capable of doing once we get it all together."

Former Brazilian star Zico, known as the "White Pele," took over from Philippe Troussier last July after the Frenchman guided Japan to the second round of the World Cup finals for the first time.

"That was after four years' work," defender Tsuneyasu Miyamoto said.

"Now we only have one win under Zico, but we haven't spent much time with him. Of course there are some problems to work out still. We are still adapting to him. It's a different style of play with him and we need to learn and adapt to it.

"For example, for me it's a different style of defense with four backs instead of three. This makes it new and difficult for me as a central defender. It will take time, that's all.

"Supporters, the media, everyone wants to see beautiful games but it's not so easy to play because we are still adapting to this new football and once we do that then we can get good results."

The Japanese players held Zico in high respect and expressed a deep belief in his methods. All were familiar with him from his 12 years as a player and technical director of four-time J-League champions Kashima Antlers.

"It's a change for the better," Miyamoto said. "We reached the second round of the World Cup with Troussier. I think under Zico we can go even further in 2006 in Germany."

Japan's first Confederations match is against New Zealand on Wednesday.

"We are very motivated and this is a huge goal," Miyamoto said. "This is the most important tournament of the year.

"We need to build confidence and we must win as many matches as possible."

 

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