Japan dead serious about making a strong impact

12/02/2002

JAPAN will be making a comeback into the World Cup scene after a lapse of
29 years, and they are dead serious about making an impact in their third
apperance.
In Group B with hosts Malaysia, Japan shocked everyone when they
finished fifth in the recent Six-Nation off a golden goal againt Malaysia.
Their inclusion in the World Cup can be described as a stroke of luck
because the FIH changed the 12-team tournament into a 16-team format, and
they qualified after finishing sixth in the World Cup Qualifier in
Edinurgh.
Japan came into the Six-Nation with one promise - ready to get bashed up
in the warm-up because their end target is the World Cup. And they
returned home bruised and battered but battle hardened.
Malaysia have always found Japan tough to beat, and their inclusion in
the World Cup this time should not be taken lightly although they will be
facing Commonwealth Games champions Australia, Olympic Games silver
medallists South Korea, 1998 Asian Games champions India, Poland, England,
Cuba and the hosts.
The interesting part about the current Japanese side is that when they
go into a defensive shell, most teams ranked above them will find it
difficult to score against them.
Japan were among the pioneers in the World Cup as they played in the
first and second editions in 1971 and 1973 respectively but after that the
sport took a backseat in their country but their recent rise has been
meteorite.
In the 1971 edition, they lost narrowly 1-0 to Pakistan and were
responsible for keeping the excitement in the pool matches till the final
day.
The match between Holland and Japan provided an encounter of dramatic
proportions. Holland had drawn with both Spain (0-0) and Pakistan (3-3),
while Pakistan had lost to Spain. The Dutch needed a win, and no one
doubted they would get full points against a hardworking, but less skilful
Japan.
But Holland found out the hard way, that you can never underestimate the
Japanese, when they lost 1-0, and Pakistan went through to the semifinals
and eventually won the first title.
But in 1973 in the pool matches, Pakistan smashed in 16 goals to top the
scoreboard, while Japan had the worst defensive record conceding 19,
followed by Kenya 14 and Malaysia 13.
The team which will compete in the 10th edition is as hardworking and
disciplined as the Koreans but their lack of experience shows everytime
they concede a goal - insted of defending, they charge into the opponents
semicircle like enraged bulls and leave a gaping hole in defence for the
opponents to increase the lead.
But they shocked Malaysia 2-1 with Atsushi Takehara's golden goal in the
Six-Nation and Malaysia and the rest of the teams in Group B can rest
assured they they will be punished if they take the Japanese too lightly.
Japan have no target for this World Cup because they are building a side
to mount a serious challenge in the 2002 Athens Olympics and also qualify
for the 2006 World Cup.
jugjet@nstp.com.my
FACTFILE
World Cup achievements: 1971 (Barcelona)-Finished 9th
1973 (Amsterdam)-Finished 10th
World Cup appearance: Third time
Player to watch: Takahiko Yamabori (pic)
Qualified: Finished sixth in the World Cup Qualifier in Edinburgh
The Squad: Jun Takahashi, Yasuhiro Nobui, Takahiko Yamabori (skipper),
Noaya Iwadate, Kenji Asai, Makoto Karuo, Akira Takahashi, Kenichi
Katayama, Noahiko Tobita, Atushi Takehara, Daisuke Hokaze, Akihiko Hirata,
Mitsuru Ito, Takiya Kawada, Ryuhei Harada, Yasuhiro Kikkawa, Takeshi
Tamekuni, Fumihiro Matsui.
Coach: Nagai Toichi
(END)