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JAPAN THE SQUAD
The Men Who Hope To Make It

THE COACH

Takeshi Okada
The man who turned Japan's qualifying challenge around. Okada, who was No. 2 under Shu Kamo for the early stages of qualification, won 26 caps for Japan before entering coaching in 1990. The 42-year-old has never managed a club but isn't afraid to make bold team decisions and has a good rapport with his players, especially as he has bucked Japan's seniority system.

GOALKEEPERS

Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi
Outstanding young prospect with great reflexes. Kept goal in the Olympics and the likely first-choice next month.
Born: 15.8.75. Club: Yokohama Marinos. Caps: 22. Goals: 0

Nobuyuki Kojima
Experienced keeper considered by many to be Japan's best. Will push Kawaguchi all the way for a starting place.
Born: 17.1.66. Club: Bellmare Hiratsuka. Caps: 5. Goals: 0

Seigo Narazaki
Excellent up-and-comer who will battle Kawaguchi for years to come. Will be their third-choice in France.
Born: 14.4.76. Club: Yokohama Flugels. Caps: 1. Goals: 0

DEFENDERS

Yutaka Akita
Strong centre-back who started as a right-back. Good in the air in either penalty area.
Born: 6.8.70. Club: Kashima Antlers. Caps: 22. Goals: 3

Masami Ihara
The most capped player in Japanese history, the veteran sweeper is a vital cog at the back.
Born: 18.9.67. Club: Yokohama Marinos. Caps: 114. Goals: 5

Eisuke Nakanishi
Right-back and a useful reserve for Narahashi (see below).
Born: 23.6.73. Club: JEF United. Caps: 5. Goals: 0

Akira Narahashi
First-choice right-back, dangerous going forward.
Born: 26.11.71. Club: Kashima Antlers. Caps: 24. Goals: 0

Norio Omura
Tough centre-back who made his debut against Scotland in 1995. Will probably partner Ihara if he stays injury free.
Born: 6.9.69. Club: Yokohama Marinos. Caps: 28. Goals: 4

Toshihide Saito
Talented young centre-back, seen as a future Japanese captain.
Born: 20.4.73. Club: Shimizu S-Pulse. Caps: 11. Goals: 0

Naoki Soma
Pacy left-back, an excellent crosser of the ball.
Born: 19.7.81. Club: Kashima Antlers. Caps: 44. Goals: 3

Daisuke Ichikawa
Highly-rated teenage right-back who made his debut in April. A protege of Tottenham legend Ossie Ardiles.
Born: 14.5.80. Club: Shimizu S-Pulse. Caps: 1. Goals: 0

MIDFIELDERS

Toshihiro Hattori
Tough tackler and hard runner down the left. Can also play in defence.
Born: 23.9.73. Club: Jubilo Iwata. Caps: 3. Goals: 0


 
 
Takashi Hirano
Left wing. Can be dangerous when running at defences but lacks the killer instinct.
Born 15.7.74. Club: Grampus Eight. Caps: 6. Goals: 3

Tsuyoshi Kitazawa
Veteran all-rounder recalled by coach Okada. Likes to attack but has improved the defensive side of his game recently.
Born: 10.8.68. Club: Verdy Kawasaki. Caps: 55. Goals: 3

Hiroaki Morishima
Versatile attacking midfielder, made his debut against Scotland in 1995. Born: 30.4.72. Club: Cerezo Osaka. Caps: 35. Goals: 7

Hidetoshi Nakata
Their star player is a glamour boy with all the qualities - vision, passing, control - to be a star of the World Cup.
Born: 22.1.77. Club: Bellmare Hiratsuka. Caps: 17. Goals: 6

Hiroshi Nanami
Hard-working midfielder, can play an attacking or defensive role on the left.
Born: 28.11.72. Club: Jubilo Iwata. Caps: 38. Goals: 5

Motohiro Yamaguchi
Reliable right-sided midfielder, can knock them in from long range.
Born: 29.1.69. Club: Yokohama Flugels. Caps: 51. Goals: 4

Shinji Ono
Teenager nicknamed 'Super Rookie'. He only made his J League debut earlier this season but has been fast-tracked into the squad.
Born: 1980. Club: Urawa Red Diamonds. Caps: 1. Goals: 0

FORWARDS

Shoji Jo
Impressed during the qualifiers but is likely to be a reserve in France. Pin-up boy loved by the ladies.
Born: 17.6.75. Club: Yokohama Marinos. Caps: 9. Goals: 4

Wagner Lopes
Brazilian-born striker has spent most of his career in Japan and became a Japanese citizen last year. Expect him to be in their starting line-up.
Born: 29.1.69. Club: Bellmare Hiratsuka. Caps: 6. Goals: 3

Kazuyoshi Miura
One of Japan's best-ever players, he made his debut in 1990 and spent the 1994-95 season in Serie A with Genoa but has been out of favour since being substituted against Iran in the qualifying play-off.
Born: 26.2.67. Club: Verdy Kawasaki. Caps: 85. Goals 54

Masashi Nakayama
Made headlines all over the world recently by scoring hat-tricks in four successive games and he rarely disappoints for his country. Experienced, hard-working and, on current form, a definite starter.
Born: 23.9.67. Club: Jubilo Iwata. Caps: 21. Goals 10

Masayuki Okano
A legend in Japan after scoring the Golden Goal against Iran that clinched their place at France 98. Has the speed to worry defenders.
Born: 25.7.72. Club: Urawa Red Diamonds. Caps: 21. Goals: 3

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