World Cup 2014 Japan profile: Kagawa and Honda are the star names, but watch out for Okazaki

 
Shooting star: Okazaki averages more than a goal every other game for Japan
Tom Collomosse9 June 2014

EXPECTATIONS

Japan believe they can at least match their result in the 2010 World Cup, when they were eliminated in the second round.

Their attacking style and neat football around the penalty area makes them a danger but their defence is far from sound. This is an open group, though, with no clearly superior side, and Japan know the conditions after competing at last year’s Confederations Cup.

COACH

Alberto Zaccheroni won Serie A with AC Milan in 1999 and has coached 12 other clubs in his homeland, including Inter Milan, Lazio and Juventus.

‘Zac’ made his name at Udinese in the 1990s, where his positive football ensured his club were neutrals’ favourites. The Italian is similarly popular in Japan, having guided the side to the Asian Cup and the East Asian Cup in 2011 and 2013 respectively.

STARS

Playmakers Shinji Kagawa, of Manchester United, and AC Milan’s Keisuke Honda are Japan’s best-known players but a third member of the attacking division, Shinji Okazaki, averages more than a goal every other game for his country and scored 15 times for Mainz in the Bundesliga last season. Yuto Nagatomo, of Inter Milan, is perfect for Zaccheroni’s tactics and will play at left-back or left midfield.

TACTICS

In Italy, Zac was wedded to a progressive 3-4-3 system but in Japan’s first game, he is likely to begin with 4-2-3-1.

They are strong on the left, where Kagawa combines well with the overlapping Nagatomo, while Honda and Okazaki must always be watched closely.

Their high-energy game is good to watch but places plenty of responsibility on the defensive players, who have not always been up to the task.

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