Team: Japan

Zico on a hiding to nothing

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Coach: Zico
Captain: Tsuneyasu Miyamoto
Winners: Never - Reached the last 16 on home soil in 2002
Pitted against: Brazil, Croatia and Austalia
Prospects: After a good showing four year's ago, Japan are in for a disappointing summer
Odds: 200-1

Zico, the former Brazilian superstar and current Japan manager, knows in his hearts of hearts his side, along with Croatia and Australia, are fighting it out for second spot in a group Brazil should control. Indeed, such is the pressure to qualify that Zico readily admits his job will be on the line should Japan fail to beat Australia in their opening game, writes Paul O'Hehir

"If Japan loses the first game against Australia and Japan wants to fire me or wants me to go on, that's fine, we will have two more games," Zico said. "I don't think that it would be an abnormal result if Japan lost against Australia. It might happen."

Not exactly fighting talk and those comments angered supporters who, in recent years, have grown to expect more than just a token appearance at finals. A little like Ireland at Italia 90, Japan rode a wave of adventure at their first finals in France eight years ago but unlike the Irish, they failed to progress from their group.

Four years later Japan co-hosted the finals with Korea. They reached the second round on that occasion before losing to Turkey who progressed to finish third. A decent achievement under then manager Philippe Troussier but the Frenchman quit soon after and bestowed a team on the rise to his Brazilian successor.

Zico has attracted his critics and there were recent calls for his head during what proved a less than inspiring qualifying campaign. Nevertheless, two late, and some say fortunate, wins over Oman and North Korea secured Japan their ticket and Zico a lifeline. However, many commentators say the Brazilian's position was never seriously under threat as his employers are a passive bunch and still remain somewhat dazzled by the man's reputation.

The Japanese side had, in the past, been criticised for its lack of aggression but Zico has gone some way to rectifying this. He believes he has brought out a "malicious side" in his players, a trait he claims has its origins among Brazilians. "It is one thing to be naive, another thing to be nasty, and another thing to be smart," Zico said.

Japan certainly have the talent to progress from the group but, as the manager believes, it certainly won't be straightforward. Since the last World Cup, more players have moved to Europe and that experience will surely benefit the team.

Shunsuke Nakamura became a key-figure in Celtic's title winning side following his summer move from Reggina and has since emerged as, perhaps, Japan's key-player. That said, former Asian Player of the Year Hidetoshi Nakata remains a big draw despite the fact his loan switch to Bolton hasn't exactly re-ignited his career.

When factoring in top J League players like Tsuneyasu Miyamoto and Yuji Nakazawa, it is clear Japan possess a skilful side but there is, and has long been, an underlying belief that the national side has made slow, if any, progress since Troussier's departure.

If Zico can summon something wonderfully different than what he has served to date then group qualification is possible, otherwise, and more likely, it'll prove a disappointing summer.

World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers: Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi (Jubilo Iwata), Yoichi Doi (FC Tokyo), Seigo Narazaki (Nagoya Grampus Eight)
Defenders: Tsuneyasu Miyamoto (Gamba Osaka), Alex (Urawa Reds), Yuji Nakazawa (Yokohama F-Marinos), Makoto Tanaka (Jubilo Iwata), Akira Kaji (Gamba Osaka), Keisuke Tsuboi (Urawa Reds), Yuichi Komano (Sanfrecce Hiroshima)
Midfielders: Hidetoshi Nakata (Bolton Wanderers), Shunsuke Nakamura (Celtic), Shinji Ono (Urawa Reds), Junichi Inamoto (West Bromwich Albion), Koji Nakata (FC Basel), Takashi Fukunishi (Jubilo Iwata), Mitsuo Ogasawara (Kashima Antlers), Yasuhito Endo (Gamba Osaka)
Forwards: Atsushi Yanagisawa (Kashima Antlers), Naohiro Takahara (Hamburg), Masashi Oguro (Grenoble), Keiji Tamada (Nagoya Grampus Eight) Seiichiro Maki (JEF United Chiba)