Thursday, January 17, 2008

Japan In Training For World Cup

The new coach of the three-time Asian Champions, Takeshi Okada wants a top three finish in South Africa and has started with a nine-day training campo in Ibusuki.

Okada, who returned to the post for a second time in December as Ivica Osim suffered a serious stroke, called up 31 players for the meet as they get ready for the start of their World Cup qualification.

“I think the purpose of this camp is firstly to asses the players; secondly to make them understand our concept of play and finally to unify as a team through good communication,” the former Yokohama F Marinos boss was quoted as saying by the Asian Football Confederation’s official homepage.

Japan have been drawn in Group B with Bahrain, Oman and opening opponents Thailand. The SE Asians will play in Saitama on February 6.

There will be two friendly matched before then as Japan face Chile on January 26 and Bosnia and Herzegovina four days later.


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