World Cup Appearances:
2 - 1998, 2002
Accomplishments:
-- Asian Cup winners: 2000, 1992
-- FIFA Confederations' Cup runners-up: 2001
-- FIFA World Youth Championship runners-up: 1999
-- Olympic Games: bronze medal 1968
-- FIFA World Cup™ final appearance: 1998
Star Players:
Hidetoshi Nakata, Junichi Inamoto, Shinji Ono
Approximate Odds of Winning:
66-1
AskMen's Rating of Team:
(out of 100)
50
Significant Strength:
Speedy Japanese strikers will definitely leave a mark on this year's World Cup competition -- especially considering they have 125 million supporters breathing down their necks. If players like Akinori Nishizawa and Hiraoki Morishima can connect to find the back of the net, Japan will be in business.
Significant Weakness:
The lack of physical aggressiveness and international experience will have to be overcome -- especially when top class teams play a harder, tighter game in World Cup competition. The Japanese defenders are going to have to out-muscle opponents off the ball if they want to proceed to the next round.
AskMen's Prediction:
With home field advantage, don't be shocked if Japan puts together a squad that plays with all the determination required to make it into the second round. Nonetheless, they first have to out-muscle three very aggressive nations. Will their fans inspire them? Considering the contenders in the group, they will likely only finish third in Group H.
JAPAN
