







Asia Cup Qualifiers: |
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Following their success in Morocco, Japan returned home to play the annual Kirin Cup contest, against a team from Europe and a team from Asia. The contest against Slovakia got off to a poor start, when Japan's defenders allowed the tall Slovakians to steal a quick goal by outjumping them on a corner kick. Japan responded quickly with a goal by Shunsuke Nakamura, but thereafter the two teams battled to a stalemate, as Japan could not turn its superior ball possession into goals.This problem would plague Japan throughout Troussier's reign, and indeed, has been a shortcoming of the National Team throughout its history.
National Team
Overseas Players

