Japan aiming at making a mark in next World Cup

By Staff
|
Google Oneindia News

Bangalore, Oct 9 (UNI) With an aim to build a team that could make a mark in the 2010 football World Cup in South Africa, Japan is building a young team that can stand the test against South Americans and Europeans, Japenese Coach Ivica Osim said today.

Talking to newspersons here, he said, ''Our goal will be to make a mark in the next World Cup. With this goal, we are building a young team which will eventually be able to challenge world leaders.'' Japan qualified for the World Cup both in 2002 in France and this year in Germany, but failed to advance beyond the preliminary stage.

The Japan team arrived in the city last night to play its away-match of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers against India on October 11 at Sri Kanteerava Stadium here. For India, the match would be of only academic interest as Japan along with Saudi Arabia had already qualified from Group 'A' for the final round, to be held from July 7 next year in Bangkok. India and Yeman were the other two teams in the group. India lost 6-0 to Japan in the away match.

Despite playing a dead rubber, the Coach was not ready to accept Wednesday's match as inconsequential. ''The match will be crucial for both India and Japan. Good football is in store when both the teams clash on Wednesday. For Japan, young players have to prove their mettle on the field, while for India which is progressing well can try to put pressure on us. It will not be so easy for us as perceived. You will see good football,'' he said.

Osim said India in its previous match had played well against Saudi Arabia, especially in the first half. ''There is progress in the Indian soccer team's performance,'' he felt.

Asked about Japan losing to Ghana 1-0 in a friendly tie early this month, he said ''we played well, but Ghana proved a notch better. They had many World Cup players in their ranks.'' On the prospects of Japan's team, the coach said ''Japan football players have a bright future. It is important to believe in players who play well in domestic matches and encourage them to come to the international level.'' UNI MSP-RS GD PDS RN1713

For Daily Alerts
Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
X