18 Jun 2003(Wed)

Japan will start as red-hot favourites to beat New Zealand in the Confederations Cup opener at the Stade de France on Wednesday night.

But don't be surprised if the Oceania champions give Japan a hard game.

This was the view of FIFA president Sepp Blatter when he gave a news conference in Paris on Tuesday afternoon.

Blatter is convinced that all the Oceania teams are going to be stronger for one main reason: automatic qualification for the 2006 World Cup.

In the past, the Oceania confederation had to hold a playoff with another confederation, sometimes South America, sometimes Asia and sometimes even Europe, for a place in the World Cup.

But, starting in 2006, Oceania will be guaranteed one of the 32 spots, without the need for a playoff.

"I believe this will give a great incentive for all the Oceania nations to lift the level of football," Blatter said.

"Oceania got no more than it deserved: an automatic qualifying place.

"In every other FIFA tournament except the World Cup, Oceania provided teams for the final competition, so it is logical they have a place in the World Cup now."

Blatter feels that New Zealand will be keen to build a strong team to challenge the regional powerhouse Australia, and that the Confederations Cup is just the start of this.

So watch out Japan!

I saw the New Zealand under-22s lose 4-0 to Japan at Kobe Wing Stadium recently, and thought their football was quite primitive.

They looked clumsy and uncomfortable on the ball, in stark contrast to the quick and technical Japanese players.

But they will hold one big advantage over Japan on Wednesday night, as Junichi Inamoto pointed out after training on Monday.

"They are all very tall," he said.

"I am the tallest in the Japanese team at 1.81 meters, but the average height of the New Zealand team is 1.85.

"I watched them play Scotland (1-1) on video and thought, 'Oh my God!' They could be dangerous at corner kicks and free kicks, so we must be very careful."

Inamoto is right.

The Kiwis are in the mood to make a good impression, and there is no better time to do it than in the first match of the competition.

I still think Japan, despite their inexperience in so many areas of the new-look team, have too many good individual players to lose to New Zealand.

Even though there is still a lack of rhythm and pattern in Japan's training sessions, I will be very surprised if they lose to the All Whites.

I think Japan will win, but it will be close, maybe 1-0.

ends