'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Confederations Cup is the Champions League of nations. A place where champions from every continent go head-to-head to test their mettle against the best from around the world. After winning the AFC Asian Cup 2011, Japan booked its place into the tournament for the fifth time. They reach the tournament by qualifying as the champions of Asia and also being the first team to secure qualification from the Asian Confederation to the World Cup 2014. Here is an analysis of the Japanese contingent as they travel to Brazil to have a shot at a cup that has eluded Asians ever since its commencement in 1992.
The Squad
The 23 man squad as named by coach Alberto Zaccheroni for the tournament on 5th June 2013, is as below:
Goalkeepers:
Eiji Kawashima (Standard Liege), Shusaku Nishikawa (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Shuichi Gonda (FC Tokyo).
Defenders:
Yasuyuki Konno (Gamba Osaka), Yuzo Kurihara (Yokohama F Marinos), Masahiko Inoha (Jubilo Iwata), Yuto Nagatomo (Inter Milan), Atsuto Uchida (Schalke), Maya Yoshida (Southampton), Hiroki Sakai (Hannover), Gotoku Sakai (Stuttgart).
Midfielders:
Yasuhito Endo (Gamba), Kengo Nakamura (Kawasaki Frontale), Makoto Hasebe (Wolfsburg), Hajime Hosogai (Hertha Berlin), Keisuke Honda (CSKA Moscow), Hideto Takahashi (FC Tokyo).
Forwards:
Ryoichi Maeda (Jubilo), Shinji Okazaki (Stuttgart), Mike Havenaar (Vitesse Arnhem), Takashi Inui (Eintracht Frankfurt), Shinji Kagawa (Manchester United), Hiroshi Kiyotake (Nuremburg).
Form: Results for the last 5 outings
| Team Played | Venue | Result | Score |
| Lativia | Kobe, Japan | Win | 3-0 |
| Canada | Doha, Qatar | Win | 2-1 |
| Jordan | Amman, Jordan | Lost | 1-2 |
| Bulgaria | Aichi, Japan | Lost | 0-2 |
| Australia | Saitama, Japan | Draw | 1-1 |
The Guiding light: Alberto Zaccheroni
The Italian has been with the Japanese national side since 2010. He has the credit of successfully managing top flight Serie A sides including likes of Lazio, Inter Milan, Juventus, Udinese and AC Milan, with whom he won the Scudetto in 1999. From the historic debut 1-0 victory over a distraught Argentina side, there has been no turning back for him. In 2011 AFC Asian Cup, he brought together a organised Japanese side to compete in the tournament. Having won 2 out of 3 group matches, and ousted host Qatar and a formidable South Korea side to defeat Australia in the finals and qualify for the Confederations Cup. Since his reign, Japan have been the AFC Team of the year.
For this tournament, Zaccheroni has put together the right mix of experience in the squad with the inclusion of the Japanese legend and free kick taker Yasuhito Endo and defender Konno, despite their club, Gamba Osaka, being relegated this season. He has kept in mind the defensive weakness and has moulded to squad in its best attacking shape and the team now relies on quick counter attacks and push down the middle. The team boasts of young blood in Kagawa, Yoshida, Uchida and Inui, all of whom have playing careers in European first division sides. Besides, the ever scoring Keisuke Honda has always been the one to watch out for in major competitions and has been effectively deployed in scoring positions by Zaccheroni.
Players to Look Out For
Keisuke Honda:
He is known worldwide for his phenomenal pace, quick dribbling and shots that rocket past the keeper. The CSKA Moscow midfielder had 19 goals this season and is already looked up by AC Milan if Kevin Prince Boateng leaves this summer. He is a constant threat as an attacker and has good aerial ability too.
Shinji Kagawa:
The most highly rated on this list and a lethal attacker. Following the 23-years-old move to Manchester United to win his first Premier League title has instilled great confidence in him. He sits comfortably behind the striker to assist him and has got amazing first touches and ball control. Let him loose and unmarked and you will pay the price.
Yasuhito Endo:
Having 128 caps for Japan (the highest ever) says it all. He is a legend in himself and is probably the best adaptable midfielder Japan has ever had. He has featured 10 times consecutively in the J-league’s Best Eleven. Plus he is sensational from set pieces with his remarkable accuracy in taking free kicks. Endo has formed a central spine in the squad. He also possesses a very high football IQ, starkly visible in his intelligent positioning. His presence is bound to inspire the rest of the squad.
Makoto Hasebe (Captain):
May not be a world class player, but the Wolfsburg man has got the right mix of positioning and marking abilities. He has effectively adopted a holding defensive midfield role to assist the feeble backline and is also the captain of the side. A calm and stable player who has good leadership qualities shall be pivotal to their side.
Yuto Nagatomo:
His battery never runs out and he can probably run 90 days than minutes. He is an excellent fullback who has the adaptability to play wing back, winger or centre back. He is an excellent defender and fits well into Zaccheroni’s plans to promote him upfield in the second half of play to send in crosses from the wing.
Eiji Kawashima:
He came into the limelight during the World cup 2010, where his impressive performances made him the first choice keeper for Japan. Since then he has come a long way. He was bombarded during his time at Lierse S.K. and produced saves despite a very weak defence. Ever since his move to Standard Liege, he has overtaken everyone else to become to become one of the finest keepers in Belgian Pro League.
How they shall fare in the tournament
Japan have been placed with Brazil, Mexico and Italy. While no doubt Japan are in great run of form at the moment, they will face world class opponents ahead of them. Brazil and Italy, with their team pressing and organised play shall not give away many chances. Hence, Japan need to do what they do the best, hold the ball in the first half and change formation and attack in the second run of play. They also will need to capitalise on every chance that comes their way, for chances are gonna be few. They slipped up against relatively weaker sides in their run to qualification to WC 2014 and will have to carry forward what they had learned from those outings. With an experienced and tactical coach by their side, players who have of recent got exposure to the highly competitive football in Europe they are the dark horses of the competition. The competition shall expose their weaknesses and show they stand against few of the world’s finest teams and it will be interesting how they turn up in the prelude to the World Cup.
