23 Dec 2004(Thu)

DECEMBER 21--The Japan Football Association can never be accused of not planning for the future.

So it was no surprise to see they have quickly lined up two opponents for a couple of home friendlies in the build-up to World Cup qualifying.

Kazakhstan will take on Japan on January 29, followed by Syria on February 2--exactly one week before their opening Group B qualifier against North Korea.

Several years ago, in 1994 to be precise, when the Asian Games took place in Hiroshima, Kazakhstan would have given Japan a tough game.

But Japan have developed and matured so quickly in recent years that a win should be guaranteed, and this will boost confidence at the start of the year.

Japan can expect the Kazakhs to be big and physical, while probably lacking pace and strength in depth.

I remember speaking to a Kazakh official at the Asian Games in Hiroshima, and he said he was convinced Kazakhstan would have won the football gold medal if they had had enough money to enter a team.

In the end, Uzbekistan won the gold, beating China 4-2 at the Big Arch, and opening a new era for Asian football.

One thing is for sure: the Kazakh players will not be affected by the winter cold, as the outclassed Malaysians were at Kashima at the start of this year!

Then it's the turn of Syria to play Japan, and the Middle Eastern team should provide a measure for the matches to come against Iran and Bahrain.

Also in 1994 I attended the Asian Youth Under-19 Championship in Jakarta, where Japan lost in the final to Syria.

It has to be said that some of the Syrians looked very experienced for their age, and a second-place finish was a fine effort by Japan.

The Japan team at that time was captained by Suguru Ito, the No. 10 and playmaker, and a certain Hidetoshi Nakata was on the wing!

Another outstanding Japanese performer was Koji Kumagai, who played in defensive midfield but was voted best defender of the tournament.

What a shame that Kumagai's career has been so badly affected by injury.

Both warm-up games will provide a few pointers for Zico and the players, but nothing can ever match the tension of a World Cup qualifier.

No one knows this more than Zico himself.

ends