Japan hoping for a few surprises

Japan hoping for a few surprises

Japan coach Takeshi Okada has targeted a semifinal berth as his team's goal for the World Cup in South Africa, Given past results advancing beyond the frist round will be tough enough.

           Japan is making its fourth straight World Cup appearance but has never won a game on foreign soil.It won't get any easier as Japan has been drawn in Group E with the Netherlands, Denmark and Cameroon.
           Still, Okada is confident his team is capable of few surprises.  "When I set this team's basic tactical approach, it was already done with a view to winning against the world's biggest teams". Okada said "Our main target in South Africa is to reach the semifinals.South Korea did it in 2002 so I see no reason why we can't."
               This will be Okada's second trip to the World Cup. He was pressed into duty when 66-year-old Ivica Osim suffered a stroke in December 2007.
               Under Okada at the 1998 World Cup Japan lost each of its three group ganes, scoring  once and conceding four time.
               Japan hired Zico before the 2006 World Cup but had a disappointing showing in Germany ,going out in the first round after losses to Australia and Brazil, and 0-0 draw with Croatia.