Takeshi Okada was a young, inexperienced and virtually unknown coach who had been brought in to the national team coaching staff by Kamo, who probably selected him as much for his quiet nature, lack of credentials, and ability to fade into the background (allowing Kamo to bathe in the spotlight) as anything else. Though none of the JFA brass really thought Okada had the skills to manage a national team, Japan faced a nearly impossible situation, and nobody else was fool enough to accept the poisoned chalice. So with very little fanfare, Okada was tossed into the malestrom of international football. At the time, just about everyone associated with the game assumed that the team would fall apart mentally and emotionally, lose their next two or three matches, and then Okada could be tossed into the dustbin of history to be forgotten once and for all. The Japanese ethos seems to adore tales of valiant failure, such as the so-called "Agony at Doha", but it has no place in its heart for those who -- however hard-working and diligent --simply arent good enough to make the grade. With his nerdy mannerisms and John Lennon-style round spectacles, most people assumed that Okada belonged in that latter category, and the sooner he left the stage, the happier everyone would be

Of course, that is not quite how things worked out, as we discuss at greater length in an earlier section of this review of Japan NT history. Okada led Japan to its first-ever appearance at the World Cup, and while "public perception" at the time saw Japan's first World Cup appearance as a failure, anyone associated with the 1998 Argentine or Croatian national teams can tell you that Okada Japan's actual performances at France1998 far exceeded even the most optimistic of expectations. Although the failure to overcome Jamaica in the final WC match is usually identified as the reason why Okada stepped down in disgrace, the fact of the matter is, nobody in the JFA really wanted him around. He lacked the experience and the name recognition that a national team coach needed, and though it might have been more difficult to dismiss him, had he won a World Cup match, it seems highly likely that his ouster was being planned even before the team left for Europe.

In all fairness to the JFA, that probably was the right decision at the time. While Okada proved his detractors wrong in subsequent years, by leading Consadole Sapporo to the J1 and then leading the Yokohama Marinos to two consecutive league titles, the fact is that in 1998 he was still a young and inexperienced man, unprepared both strategically and emotionally for the enormous strain of managing the Japanese national team.

Ten years on, Okada not only has a much more complete grasp of the technical end of his job; he also has learned how to negotiate the tricky political maze of Japanese football bureaucracy, and has endured a fair amount of media scrutiny and pressure as a J.League coach. Though Okada's relationship with the press is likely to be as uncomfortable as Ivica Osim's, at least he has a good idea of what to expect, and has developed his own way of handling clueless sports writers.

In terms of his coaching abilities, Okada certainly does not have the technical breadth of a guy like Osim. However, he has always demonstrated a keen awareness of his own abilities and limitations, as well as those of his players. Perhaps therein lies his greatest strength as a coach -- in addition to recognizing each player's shortcomings, he is a genius at identifying the role that each player CAN effectively fill, and then designing a game plan which allows them to use their abilities effectively, while not being exposed too badly for their weaknesses. This skill is probably more valuable when coaching a weak club team than it is when coaching at the highest level. However, any coach who has the ability to maximise the contribution of each of his players is bound to enjoy some success.

The most common criticism of Okada tends to be that he prefers simple tactics, and this can lead to conservatism and "unimaginative" play, at times. On this point, we generally agree. The worst case scenario would be for Okada to get rattled by an early loss or two, become obsessed with avoiding any sort of mistakes or risks, and impose a strategy that saps the imagination and fluidity which are currently the Japan national team's greatest strengths. However, we do not think this risk is particularly great, so long as Okada sticks to his vow of "keeping the Osim-style strategy in place".

This raises a very important point which could greatly shape the direction of the Japan NT under coach Okada. Although Ivica Osim's stroke has made it impossible for him to remain at the helm of the national team, he is still a widely respected voice in Japanese football circles. Indeed, his misfortune will only increase the "influence" that he can exercise behind the scenes, because no Japanese journalist would dare criticise a man who suffered a stroke while at the top of his game. Reports from the hospital indicate that Osim is not only conscious, but also fairly lucid and still in posession of a withering sarcastic wit. While his wife was spoon-feeding him ice cream, she asked "is it too cold?" Osim reportedly replied: "If it wasnt cold, it wouldnt be ICE cream, now would it?" One can only speculate about the former NT coach's road to recovery. However, it does appear that Osim is making a rapid recovery, and the JFA has been very outspoken in declaring that he can assume a role in supporting the development of Japanese football any time he wants it. Following a bit of recuperation, we strongly suspect that the old fox will be brought in to serve as a behind-the-scenes "advisor" to Okada. Thiswould not only offer him the chance he deserves to finish the job he accepted in 2006, and continue guiding "his" National Team; it might also help Okada to address one of his most important shortcomings -- the lack of strategic vision in planning for individual matches. As we mentioned above, Okada is very good at appraising his players, and he can also "read" a match fairly well, bringing in substitutes or making adjustments that can turn the contest around. However, his ability to scout opponents, identify strengths and weaknesses, and devise a strategic plan are one area that we think may be a problem. If Osim recovers enough to watch game films, view Japan's matches and practice sessions from the press box, and then give Okada pointers on how to design his strategy for the next match, it just might turn out to be the most perfect of partnerships.

Therefore, as we prepare for the grand opening of "Okada Japan II -- The Sequel", we can at least hope that it follows the script of past movie sequels. In film franchises such as Rocky, Rambo, Mad Max, the Terminator . . . and so on, the first film usually has the hero in an impossible fix, and the plot revolves around his struggle to somehow just manage to survive. It is only in the sequel that the hero finally gets a chance to go out and kick some @$$. The first installment of Okada Japan certainly followed the script. The nerdy hero defied all the odds and despite taking a brutal beating, managed to survive the final scene, walking away with his head held high.

Now, we will see whether the actors can pull off a sequel appropriate to the action film genre. Over the next three years, Japan will have its chance to make the next step, and hopefully join the ranks of true contenders in international football.