Title fighter

Japan looking for confidence, first major trophy

CHANTILLY, France (AP) -- Japan has never won a major international tournament and is struggling with a post-World Cup slump. Yet, the players are confident they can win the Confederations Cup this year.

"We came second at the last Confederations Cup two years ago in Japan and South Korea," said defender Yukuta Akita. "We want to take the title this time." After losing 1-0 to France in the 2001 final in Yokohama, Japan now faces the European and Confederations champion in the first round, two days after Wednesday's opener against New Zealand. It closes Group A play against Colombia on Sunday.

"We need to play every match as though it was the final," new coach Zico said. "We have to find a way, any way, of getting through the first round."

"We may be the underdogs against France, but I believe we are better than New Zealand and Colombia."

The omens are not that good though. After reaching the second round of the World Cup for the first time last year, Japan has just won a single match in the last 10 months under Zico.

Built around an elegant midfield laden with skillful players, the squad tries to make the difference with short passing combinations to outwit physically stronger opponents.

Over the past years, as their best players have come to perform in the world's toughest leagues, the Japanese have overcome an excessive respect for their rivals.

Players like 23-year-old midfielder Shinji Ono of Dutch giant Feyenoord, Parma's Hidetoshi Nakata and Junichi Inamoto of Fulham have come to symbolize Japan's progress.

To maximize that progression, the Japanese called on Brazilian legend Zico to replace World Cup hero Philippe Troussier. But the switch has yet to bear fruit.

Managing just one victory in seven matches -- a last gasp 1-0 win over South Korea last month -- the team has been a disappointment.

In the recent Kirin Cup, Japan suffered a humiliating 4-1 loss against Argentina, and drew 0-0 with Paraguay.

"Against Argentina, we lost by four goals and the feeling was very low," said goalkeeper Seigo Narazaki. "Against Paraguay, we did better and recovered a bit of confidence.

"Now, we are thinking about how to reach the final. I want to give 100 percent every match. We all do."

Zico's ultimate goal is to qualify Japan for the next World Cup in 2006 in Germany. As such, he will use the Confederations Cup as a testing ground.

"It doesn't mean I'm using this tournament exclusively experimenting," Zico warned. "Sure, we'll be working on things and learning but it doesn't exclude winning the title."

Zico's campaign took a heavy blow when Ono, the 2002 Asian Football Confederation Player of the Year, was sidelined with a bruised calf and left ankle injury. Striker Masashi Nakayama, Japan's only goalscorer at the 1998 World Cup, was also ruled out after hurting his left thigh, while Genk striker Takayuki Suzuki and midfielder Takashi Fukunishi were forced to pull out of tournament with injuries.

"But the rest of the team is 100 percent," Zico said. "At this competition there are matches every two days so it's tough."

 

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