Ranked 30th in the FIFA standings and winners of the 2011 Asian Cup, Japan are unquestionably on the rise, benefitting from the savvy leadership of manager Alberto Zaccheroni and the experience that several key players have gained at big European clubs. They have clinched their place at the next World Cup and now have a golden opportunity to gauge conditions in Brazil while pitting their wits against the calibre of opponent they will face in that tournament (Brazil, Italy and Mexico). The next week or two can only help the squad develop further.
Manchester United’s Shinji Kagawa jumps out as the biggest household name but this is no one man team, with contributions coming from all over the pitch. CSKA Moscow’s Keisuke Honda is another classy performer while Shinji Okazaki has also caught the eye at VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga. Ultimately, it is teamwork and a never-say-die attitude that has driven the Japanese improvements over the past three years. The Confederations Cup provides an enticing chance to demonstrate this progress on an even bigger stage.
Coach: Alberto Zaccheroni
Zaccheroni has proved to be a shrewd appointment, leading Japan to World Cup qualification and continuing to develop a talented crop of players during his three years in charge. His experience in Serie A, where he spent more than 25 years, has helped the Japanese take another step forward in their development and his knowledge of the Italian squad will be helpful for their Group A clash.
For an assessment of Zaccheroni’s performance since taking over after the 2010 World Cup, look no further than the man himself. "In these three years, we have scored 62 goals and we conceded only 17", he explained after watching his side book their place in Brazil for 2014. "Sure we must and we can improve but if we look at the raw number, it is quite clear that we score a lot and we concede little but with all the chances we create, we should score even more."
Key Player: Shinji Kagawa
In a squad brimming with confidence, the Manchester United man stands out as the most dangerous attacking threat. While there is clearly more to come, Kagawa’s debut season at Old Trafford brought flashes of brilliance, and the Japanese talisman will be eager to put on a show at the Confederations Cup. This is an ideal stage for him to improve on his goalscoring record and remind Manchester United fans that he could handle more minutes if Wayne Rooney leaves the club over the summer. Kagawa’s movement and technique will require careful marking as he prospers by drifting into space between opposition defences and midfields.
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View from Japan
With World Cup qualification assured, the pressure is off to some degree, though the team’s results will of course be followed closely. Japan supporters will be expecting a gritty showing but will be realistic enough to see the strength of Brazil and Italy, in particular, in Group A. Avoiding bottom spot in the group should be considered an achievement given the calibre of their opponents. A positive result against Mexico should be one of their targets.
Verdict
While there is a chance that this plucky, hard-working Japan side could catch teams off guard, the smart money is on Zaccheroni’s men failing to grab one of the top two spots in Group A. Do not be surprised if they earn a surprise result or two (possibly a point in the opener against Brazil) but it would be asking a lot for them to sneak into the semi-finals. An early trip home is the likeliest outcome for this emerging squad.
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