5 Jan 2006(Thu)

January 2, 2006: There is no doubting the main topic of conversation for football fans for the first half of the year, and probably the second half, too.

Of course it's the 2006 World Cup in Germany, which kicks off June 9 in Munich and ends July 9 in Berlin.

The big days for Japan are June 12, June 18 and June 22, when they play Australia, Croatia and Brazil respectively in Group F, chasing one of two qualifying places for the round of 16.

Between now and then, every performance of the candidates for the 23-man squad will be scrutinised and debated, as Zico prepares to make the tough decisions at the end of his four-year cycle.

There are still many question marks over the physical fitness and the match fitness of the Europe-based players, especially Shinji Ono, so Zico has no choice but to be patient and wait and see what happens over the next few months.

I can't imagine Zico getting too concerned over these problems. He must pick the players available at the time, and if the condition of some is not right he must leave them out, no matter how big a "star" they may be in the eyes of the media and the fans.

And it's not as though Zico does not have enough options in reserve, as he has tried many players in various areas of the pitch during his reign. He reckons that, as things stand now, he has filled 17 of the 20 outfield places, so that still leaves plenty to play for in the next few months for the players on the fringe of selection.

The big question is, though, can Japan win through this group into the second round?

I think Japan are in a very tough group, as Brazil and, in my opinion, Australia were the two teams to avoid from their respective pots at the draw. Although Japan avoided Holland from the pot of non-seeded European teams, Croatia were another hard draw, as they won seven and drew three of their 10 qualifying games and beat Sweden home and away. Bulgaria and Hungary were also in their pool.

Japan will have to win at least one game and draw another to stand a chance of progressing, and their whole campaign could depend on the very first match, against the Socceroos in Kaiserslautern. This puts both teams under immense pressure from the first whistle, as Brazil and Croatia are widely regarded as the two favourites to advance.

But if Japan play to their strengths -- speed, mobility, quick passing, organisation and discipline -- they may be able to wear down the bigger and more physical Aussies and Croats. I am not being negative, just realistic, when I say that Japan will do well to win one game.

This view is due entirely to the quality of the opposition -- the Hiddink-led Australia, in particular, must not be under-estimated -- rather than the talent available to Zico.

If Japan qualify for the second round, then Zico's reign can be regarded as a success, after all the earlier problems and confusion.

Before the World Cup, though, there's qualifying games for the 2007 Asian Cup, plus the start of the J.League at the beginning of March. It's going to be another long and fragmented J.League season, but, with their Emperor's Cup success behind them and goal machine Washington waiting to join, Urawa Reds have become an early favourite for the J1 title in 2006.

Welcome, too, to Ventforet Kofu in J1, and Ehime FC in J2. They will broaden the appeal of the J.League even more, as the game continues to grow strong roots and foundations around the country.

ends