Japan

Japan kick off their fourth World Cup finals on June 14th with renewed hope following today's (May 30th) narrow yet spirited defeat against England in Graz.

Since securing qualification last Autumn the Japanese have produced some mixed results, including two defeats to biggest rivals South Korea, but today's performance against one of the favourites will buoy them ahead of that first vital fixture with Cameroon.

Draws with China and Venezuela, and losses to Serbia and Korea almost cost coach, Takeshi Okada, his job but the Japanese FA have decided to persist with a Japanese in charge for the first time since 1998, when Okada was previously the boss.

WORLD CUP HISTORY

Having played in only the last three tournaments, the football pedigree of Samurai Blue is a short one. Three defeats in France was followed up with an improved performance on home soil, where two victories were recorded in four games. Last time out was a step backward however, picking up a solitary point in a 0-0 draw with Croatia.

SCHEDULE- Group E

Cameroon    June 14th- Bloemfontein

Holland        June 19th- Durban

Denmark      June 24th- Rustenburg

Japan will not be daunted by any of their opposition, apart from the Netherlands. The games with Denmark and especially Cameroon will be targeted as potential victories. A good start will give them some hope of matching their achievement of 2002 but anything less than that will see their tournament end before it really begins.

A good start against Australia four years ago was thrown away in the last ten minutes as Zico's team totally collapsed, Okada's XI can't afford to make the same mistake.

The Japanese are regarded as the weakest team in the group, as only a handful of their squad play away from the J-League. The three time Asian Cup Champions are also the lowest ranked of the four, currently sitting at 45th, ten places below Denmark.

KEY PLAYERS

Ex-Celtic superstar Shunsuke Nakamura is the creative force behind the team. His ability from free kicks will be important to a team devoid of an experienced goal threat up front.

The number 10 will be joined in midfield by a player posing a similar dead ball threat. Keisuke Honda has become an integral part of the CSKA team in his first year in Moscow, and will be hoping to make an even bigger name for himself in South Africa than he did in this season's Champions League.

In attack, Shinji Okazaki is the most prolific striker on offer with 16 goals in 27 games. The home based player is untested at such a level however, and most have his goals have come against weak Asian opposition. 

ONE TO WATCH- Keisuke Honda

Still only 23 and already has a couple of good European years behind him with VVV Venlo in Holland and now in Russia.

BEST CASE SCENARIO...

A repeat of 2002s run to the last 16 would be a dream scenario. Any victory would be Soccer Nippon Daihyo's first away from home soil.

WORST CASE SCENARIO...

Three games, three defeats and another step backwards from the heights of earlier this century. 

PREDICTION

The Japanese will put up a good fight but should be overpowered by stronger opponents, who will all see the Asians as their best chance of three points.