14 Oct 2004(Thu)

Everyone in Japan knows the importance of Wednesday's game against Oman here in sunny Muscat.

And just because this is a small country in terms of Gulf football, don't think the locals are not aware of the significance, too.

There are three English-language newspapers here, and the match is so important that football has knocked cricket from the main sports page.

There is a big Indian community living here, and this is reflected in the vast amounts of space given to cricket on a daily basis. Even more so now, as India are playing host to Australia.

"Zico's Japan ready for Oman match," says the headline of the Oman Daily Observer.

The article points out the meticulous preparation of the Japan team, notably a gadget to measure the temperature and humidity during Monday's training session at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.

There was also a story about the Oman team being visited by the president of the government's sports ministry, and a photo of Japan training.

The Times of Oman dedicated half a page to the match, under the headline: "Excitement in the air as Japan clash looms."

The article points out the large number of Japanese roaming around town, and marvels at the fact there are around 140 media representatives here.

There is also the inevitable photo of Zico looking even more serious and grim than ever, accompanying a story which quotes him as saying Japan will play their normal game and not try to draw, which would be good enough to advance to the second round.

Japan trained hard at the match venue Monday night, working especially on corners. In what is expected to be a tight game, a set-piece, meaning a free kick or corner, could determine the outcome.

The stadium was a splendid sight, surrounded by barren mountains but with palm trees lining the roads nearby.

As Japan trained, the lone voice of a Muslim at prayer, amplified by a loud speaker, drifted across the air.

After Zico's news conference in front of the TV cameras, the main topic of debate was "nama beer."

This is not uncommon among journalists, as it usually means where are we going for a drink after filing our stories! But this time it was different.

From chatting to a few Japanese journalists, it appears that Zico was likening the expected atmosphere at Wednesday's match to the top of a glass of draft beer.

The Oman supporters will be wearing white, giving the stadium the effect of a glass of beer, but the white is only the froth, and therefore not important. The more meaningful matter is down below, meaning the beer itself and, in this case, what happens on the pitch.

Mmmmmm.....very interesting this, from Zico the Philosopher. Sounds more like Eric Cantona.

I think it's going to be a really tough test for Japan on Wednesday night but I stand by my earlier prediction of 0-0 (or maybe 1-1!) but I cannot see Japan losing.

Go and relax and have a "nama beer!"

ends