I gave my heart and soul to Japan, says Zico

DORTMUND, June 23: A defiant Zico said he had given his heart and soul to Japan after a 4-1 defeat by Brazil killed off their slim hopes of World Cup survival.

''I had the responsibility of picking the side and I have complete peace of mind with the players I picked,'' the Brazilian told reporters after his last game as Japan's coach yesterday.

''I'm very grateful to have had the opportunity to work in Japan and I gave my heart and soul to the team.'' Two goals from Ronaldo propelled World Cup holders Brazil past Japan in their final Group F game after Keiji Tamada gave the Asian champions a shock 34th-minute lead.

''I would love to have a player like Ronaldo,'' sighed Zico, whose side were pegged back by the striker's header in first-half injury time.

''He can just smell the goal. We had a goal lead and we couldn't even get to halftime without letting them get back in the game.'' Zico blamed his team's late collapse in a 3-1 defeat by Australia in their opening game for their early exit.

A 0-0 stalemate against Croatia in their next game left Japan's World Cup hopes hanging by a thread.

''Unfortunately, the last eight minutes of the game against Australia were fatal,'' he said. ''We were effectively eliminated at that point. It wasn't Brazil who knocked us out.'' Zico acknowledged that Japan had never seriously threatened to match their run to the last 16 as co-hosts in 2002.

''Brazil had it easy against us,'' said the 53-year-old, who wants to continue his coaching career in Europe.

''They already had six points and were through. They were playing against a team who were desperate and needed to win by two goals.

''We were so anxious that we couldn't mount a serious challenge.

We're not satisfied with going out like this but Japan have made progress over the last four years.''

REUTERS

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