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| FIFA ranking : 17(as of 2005, May) |
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Association Established :
1921 |
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FIFA Member Since :
1929 |
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Coach :
Zico |
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| Achievements : |
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FIFA World Cup™ :
1998 Qualified for the Final Competition
2002 Best 16 |
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Olympic Games :
1936 Qualified for the Final Competition
1956 Qualified for the Final Competition
1964 Qualified for the Final Competition
1968 Third Place
1996 Qualified for the Final Competition
2000 Quarter-finalist
2004 Qualified for the final Competition |
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AFC Asian Cup :
1992 Winner
2000 Winner
2004 Winner |
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Others :
2001 Runner-up of the FIFA Confederations Cup (Korea / Japan)
2003 Participated in the FIFA Confederations Cup (France)
2005 Participated in the FIFA Confederations Cup (Germany)
2003 Runner-up of the East Asian Football Championship |
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Team Introduction
Giving his players freedom and developing each player's individuality to the fullest are only part of head coach Zico's philosophy. Though he was known for his brilliant, graceful style when he was a player, Zico insists that the most important component is the fighting spirit-something he tries to instill in his team.
To see Zico's philosophy taking shape on the pitch is an unexpected yet positive surprise. During the final round of the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ Asian qualifiers, Japan, playing at home against DPR Korea, broke the tie with a goal by Masashi Oguro in the second half extra time. In another home match, Bahrain's ace striker, Mohamed Ahmed Salmeen's own goal decided the match for Japan. Claimed Zico triumphantly, "It is because he feared our unfaltering belligerence that even a superb player like he went blank."
Japan has also improved on strategy. Usually playing a 3-5-2 formation, Japan adopted a 3-6-1 line-up for their away match against Bahrain, at which they secured a berth in the World Cup finals next year. During the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup, Japan mainly played a 4-4-2 formation, crushing Euro champion Greece 1-0 and surprising the world champion, Brazil, with a 2-2 draw. In the 1st East Asian Football Championship 2003, Japan finished second, losing only by 1 point in total goals scored. This time they will face the other finalists in host country, Korea Rep., more determined than ever to capture the title. |
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| Past Results of Contending Teams (2000.1~2005.6 International A Match) |
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| VS. China PR |
| 2000.3.15 Kobe (Japan) [Kirin Beverage Soccer 2000] |
| Japan |
0 - 0 |
China PR |
| 2000.10.26 Beirut (Lebanon) [Asian Nations Cup] |
| China PR |
2 - 3 |
Japan |
| 2003.12.4 Tokyo (Japan) [EAFF Championship] |
| Japan |
2 - 0 |
China PR |
| 2004.8.7 Beijing (China PR) [Asian Nations Cup] |
| China PR |
1 - 3 |
Japan |
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| VS. Korea DPR |
| 2005.2.9 Saitama (Japan) [FIFA WC 2006 Prel. Comp. Asian Zone] |
| Japan |
2 - 1 |
Korea DPR |
| 2005.6.8 Bangkok (Thailand) [FIFA WC 2006 Prel. Comp. Asian Zone] |
| Korea DPR |
0 - 2 |
Japan |
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| VS. Korea Republic |
| 2000.4.26 Seoul (Korea Republic) [Friendly Match] |
| Korea Republic |
1 - 0 |
Japan |
| 2000.12.20 Tokyo (Japan) [Kirin Beverage Soccer 2000] |
| Japan |
1 - 1 |
Korea Republic |
| 2003.4.16 Seoul (Korea Republic) [Friendly Match] |
| Korea Republic |
0 - 1 |
Japan |
| 2003.5.31 Tokyo (Japan) [Friendly Match] |
| Japan |
0 - 1 |
Korea Republic |
| 2003.12.10 Yokohama (Japan) [EAFF Championship] |
| Japan |
0 - 0 |
Korea Republic |
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