Hope and doubt for Japan ahead of World Cup

Japanese forward Naohiro Takahara (R) shoots for his first goal against Germany during the first half of their friendly match in Leverkusen. Japan's 2-2 draw against powerhouse Germany has given the Asian champions a moral boost but also a reason for soul-searching ahead of their World Cup matches.

Japan's 2-2 draw against powerhouse Germany has given the Asian champions a moral boost but also a reason for soul-searching ahead of their World Cup matches.

Although ace striker Naohiro Takahara scored twice to help alleviate persistent doubts over Japan's frontline firepower, they yielded two goals on set pieces in which Germany gave full play to their height advantage.

"Japan pulled off a miracle," cried the evening tabloid Fuji Wednesday after the Tuesday match in Leverkusen.

The news agency Jiji Press declared the result gave Japan "confidence that will definitely carry them through the World Cup."

But at the same time another Japanese news agency Kyodo pointed out that Japan "yielded goals to high balls again."

"They could not block big players on the rampage," it said.

The average height of Japan's 23-strong squad is 179 centimeters against 184 centimeters for Germany -- about the same for Japan's Group-F rivals Australia and Croatia.

The group is led by five-time champions Brazil who stand 182 centimeters on average.

Takahara, who will move from Hamburg to another Bundesliga side Frankfurt after the World Cup, ruffled the German net in the 57th and 65th minutes.

Miroslav Klose touched home a free kick 11 minutes later from Bastian Schweinsteiger by bumping off Japanese center back Tsuneyasu Miyamoto.

And Schweinsteiger headed home Bernd Schneider's free kick with 10 minutes left after slack marking by Atsushi Yanagisawa.

"We lost two goals to the height of the opponents," Japan coach Zico said. "We must play without committing unnecessary fouls to give them restarts."

Zico also regretted that Japan scored only two despite plenty of chances.

"We still need to be more effective in front of goal at the World Cup and will be working on that from now on."

German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger (R) vies for a ball with Japanese midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura during the seocnd half of their friendly match in Leverkusen. Japan's 2-2 draw against powerhouse Germany has given the Asian champions a moral boost but also a reason for soul-searching ahead of their World Cup matches.

But the 53-year-old legend, who led Brazil's three failed World Cups as a player, said the result boosted his hopes of guiding Japan beyond the round of 16 they reached under Frenchman Philippe Troussier in 2002 on home soil.

"There are not many better teams in the world and we pushed them all the way," Zico said. "We have a tough World Cup group but I am confident we can do well."

Japan and Bolton midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata said: "Obviously we have to work on defending set-pieces.

"But we were quick to get forward and created plenty of good opportunities so if we keep our passing game tight then we can be confident of playing any of the top teams" at the World Cup, he was quoted as saying by Kyodo.

Takahara, who scored just one goal in 21 games for Hamburg last season, said his two-goal feat "has done wonders for my confidence."

"Hopefully I can keep improving but it's not about me. I just want to do my best for the team," he said.

The daily Tokyo Sports compared Takahara's feat to a "light at the end of the tunnel", raising hopes that Japanese forwards will improve their art of finishing.

Japan, with a solid midfield, have fired six goals in the World Cup finals since their debut in 1998. But only two were scored by forwards.