| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Karl |
Posted - Aug 02 2004 : 5:31:41 PM
change'
Monday, August 02, 2004, 3:27:22 PM
IP:172.159.71.169
2 August 2004
by FIFAworldcup.com
Despite the requisite ups and downs of a major tournament, Japan are in the semi-final of the Asian Cup in China where they will face upstart Bahrain on 3 August for a place in the final. The holders are led by Brazilian football legend Zico, who has also presided over a perfect start to 2006 FIFA World Cup™ qualifying after three matches for the previous hosts.
With much on his mind, the dignified boss took time out of his busy Chinese adventure to chat with FIFAworldcup.com
concerning the continental event, developments in Asia and the team as it shapes up for Germany 2006.
Q: Considering that Japan is missing several first-choice players, how do you rate the current team’s performances?
A: I am very satisfied with what the team have showed at this tournament so far. Since the Kirin Cup in July, the team have been making steady progress and getting good results, which have boosted the self-confidence of the individuals and the team. We do have some current headaches, including missing key players due to injuries and duties with the Olympic team, however, I still think the players have been doing excellent jobs so far, which is the most important thing.
Q: You would have scored more goals had Kubo or Shinji Ono been here though, true?
A: Kubo, Ono plus Nakata, Inamoto, Takahara and Yanagisawa are all big guns for the team and have played together for national team for a rather long period. As the head coach, I deplore that all of them couldn't join us … The biggest difficulty for the team is that we had to restart after we had developed so well. But the players have shared my views and are remaining in good form.
Q: You are also missing some young players from the Olympic team. Will you call up Okubo after the Greek Games to prepare for the next FIFA World Cup qualifier against India?
A: It is not decided if Okubo will be called up into the senior team after he finishes his job in Athens. Okubo is not special. Every player holds a chance to play for Japan at any time, and I only select players in good form and condition.
Q: As Asian Cup holders, how confident are you to defend your title?
A: I am hardly aware of Japan being defending champions. During the last four years Asian football has witnessed incredible changes, with unknown sides emerging … The competition of this tournament is more ferocious than ever and three-time champions Saudi Arabia had to pack for home after the group stage.
Q: Japan have made steady progress in the last two years with you in charge -- how have you achieved this?
A: I have committed myself to the job, and I have full knowledge of Japanese football. Obviously my case is different from the other foreign coaches who came to Japan without such knowledge but worked with the team for two years by starting from zero. With this knowledge, I have plans of what I think Japanese football should be, and then I put these into practice to make it realistic. The national team is tougher to control than with a club, but the side is developing in the right direction.
Q: There are many football talents in Japan, with several playing in European leagues, which is a fair reflection of the significant progress that Japanese football has made.
A: In this Asian Cup, some traditional powers have disappointed while some emerging sides have impressed. As an international football star and coach, how do you explain this?
Even without star players, a team can still achieve better than they might if they unite and play as a unit under the guidelines of a coach. As was shown by Greece at Euro 2004, all teams have chances to win the title. This Asian Cup has proved that fancied sides don't always win as expected. Each team have to prepare well and be careful not to make obvious mistakes. We have to keep alert against every opponent and do our best not to let every chance slip by.
I think the tournament has also shown that foreign coaches are contributing a great deal to development and progress of Asian football. In Group D, three of the four teams had foreign head coaches at the helm, and their international experiences and footballing knowledge help Asian teams develop in big strides.
|
|
|
