Holland – Japan, a preview…

If we think we should be able to win this, we need to beat Japan 3-0 at least. That’s it. End of story. End of preview.

Bert will play the same starting line up as we saw against Denmark. Fine. End of story. Doesn’t matter.

Keep fit, keep healthy, dazzle the crowd and win. Bleed Orange!!

Japan profile by Aidan…

1. Who is Japan’s best player?

The most hype at the moment is about Keisuke Honda of CSKA Moscow although he is still relatively inexperienced at international level. But I’ll go for Honda over a more established figure such as Shunsuke Nakamura since I prefer to look to the future than the past, and he may be key to Japan’s hopes.

2. What do you think of your coach?

Where to start? Takeshi Okada is Mr Unpopular in Japan these days after the national team have slumped to new lows in recent times. He over relies on certain players whether their current form warrants it or not, but most worryingly of all he seems to lack any plan B. Japan play ok, not great but ok, when all players are available. When they aren’t, such as when the European based players are otherwise engaged, it all goes horribly wrong, and he seems to have no ideas about how to fix this at all, or even any desire to fix it just stating that they play much better when everyone is available. He escaped the sack in February this year by the skin of his teeth, but surely won’t last after the World Cup. More of his extravagant tournament aims later, but suffice to say he could well be left with egg on his face if things don’t go well.

3. What do you think of Japan’s World Cup 2010 kits?

I quite like the deep blue, which is darker than some other recent kits, and the design is rather stylish I think. Nobody can explain the red square below the neck though – strange stuff.

4. What is Japan’s biggest strength?

Possibly the fact that nobody will rate us, or will know much about many of our players? Other than that, it’s probably the high energy approach of the play, but I’m clutching at straws really.

5. …and biggest weakness?

The coach. Japan has some decent players, none of them world beaters but what are you going to do? But the lack of ideas and even motivation is alarming, and the buck stops with the coach. If Japan go a goal down in their opening game I worry for the strength of character to pull things around.

6. If you could steal one player from any other World Cup 2010 team, then who would it be and why?

Didier Drogba. Because Japan have a lot of nicey-nicey approach play but are not nearly ruthless enough where it matters most. Drogba would do nicely as a big, strong, tough striker who would not only take half-chances, but also be a bit more direct up front when needed.

7. Tell us one thing about your team that the rest of the world might not know…

Although Japan are often referred to as the “Blue Samurai” in English, the Japanese usually refer to the team as Nippon Daihyou (日本代表) which literally means “The Japanese representatives”…not quite as catchy is it? To liven things up though, captain Yuji Nakazawa is nicknamed the Bomber…that’s more like it!
Can I add one more Japan fact? The melody of the Japanese national anthem was used by Puccini in his opera Turandot…how many other countries can say that?

8. What would you consider success/failure for your team at World Cup 2010?

Well, Takeshi Okada thinks Japan can reach the semi-finals. Everyone else disagrees. If Japan could make it out of the group that for me would be a major achievement. Being realistic, Japan have never won a World Cup Finals match outside of Japan, and so you could even argue that a win of any kind would be a success. A failure would be to be beaten in every match. I would even say that a draw or two would not constitute total failure for Japan.

9. What are you most exited about at World Cup 2010?

Literally everything! I can’t wait. But if I had to name one thing, it will be the moment it finally kicks off, and all the anticipation will be over and the African World Cup atmosphere will hopefully be different to any other, and I’ll be hoping the hosts get off to a good start. That, and the massive international beer collection I will have in my fridge to enhance my viewing pleasure.

10. Who do you think will win World Cup 2010?

Spain. The players they have available in midfield and attack are better than anyone else in my opinion. Not so sure defensively though, but would love to see them win it.