Socceroos out to dent Japanese hopes
7 June 2006
by FIFAworldcup.com


Japan kick off their FIFA World Cup™ bid on 12 June at Kaiserslautern's Fritz-Walter-Stadion with a stated target of reaching the semi-finals. Their opponents Australia are appearing at their second FIFA World Cup, 32 years after their first appearance, also on German soil, and this opening Group F clash could well prove vital to both sides' hopes of a place in the next round.

Colours for the game
Australia: yellow shirt, green shorts, yellow socks
Japan: blue shirt, white shorts, blue socks

The players
Japan are particularly well served in the midfield area, boasting talented overseas-based players such as Hidetoshi Nakata - set for his third consecutive FIFA World Cup and with experience of Italy's Serie A and the English Premiership - and Shunsuke Nakamura, currently at Celtic after three seasons playing for Reggina in Italy. The Australia squad also comprises mainly European-based players and the Japan defence must be particularly aware of the quick footwork of Liverpool winger Harry Kewell, who could prove a major threat down the left for Australia. Captain Mark Viduka will also test the Japanese with his power and skill up front.

How they qualified
Japan topped Group B in the final round of the Asian qualifiers and were the first team to qualify for the finals after the host nation Germany. Their only defeat in that final round was a 2-1 loss to Iran in Tehran. The Socceroos qualified by defeating Uruguay in the intercontinental play-off. The aggregate score was level at 1-1 after two legs, taking the second-leg tie in Sydney into penalties, where goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was Australia's hero.

Past meetings
The two sides have never met at the FIFA World Cup although they did face each other in the semi-finals of the FIFA Confederations Cup Korea/Japan 2001, where Japan were narrow 1-0 winners thanks to Hidetoshi Nakata's pinpoint free-kick. In ten meetings overall, Japan have three victories to their name and Australia four.

Tournament history
A FIFA member since 1929, Germany 2006 will be Japan's third FIFA World Cup finals following their participation in the previous two editions. Their first appearance came at France 98, where they lost all three matches, but the Blues bounced back four years later to reach the last 16 on home soil. As for Australia, they head to Germany having missed out on the last eight tournaments. Since gaining FIFA member status in 1963, their only other appearance was at the 1974 tournament in Germany, where they were knocked out in the first round. Subsequent qualifying campaigns have seen them regularly overpower their regional rivals in the Oceania qualifying zone, only to fall at the last hurdle, the intercontinental play-offs. The Socceroos are therefore especially determined to make an impression this time around.

Key contest
The inspiration behind Japan's attacking play is the gifted left foot of Brazilian-born wide manAlessandro Santos. The Urawa Reds man will line up against Blackburn Rovers winger Brett Emerton. Emerton scored four goals in eight games in qualifying, and his attacking abilities will certainly put Santos under pressure. Attacks down the flanks could hold the key for both teams, and the battle between this pair may prove pivotal.

The coaches
This tournament will be the first time that Japan coach Zico has led a team into a FIFA World Cup finals. As a player, wearing Brazil's coveted No.10 shirt, he played in three consecutive finals (1978, 1982 and 1986). He has endeavoured to give the players as much freedom as possible, an approach which has helped many Japanese internationals reach their full potential. Although a less-exalted player than Zico, Australia coach, Guus Hiddink , is one of the world's most-respected coaches. He took the Netherlands to the semi-finals at France 98, then led Korea Republic's historic charge to the last four at Korea/Japan 2002. He worked his magic again this time round by breaking Australia's play-off hoodoo and taking them safely through to Germany.