Japan 0 China 0

Poor form by the Japanese senior squad is threatening the job of coach Phillipe Troussier after a dull 0-0 draw in Yokohama with China.

The game was meant to audition the year 2000 version of Japan's national team under Troussier's guidance with the Frenchman hoping to lead the co-hosts to the 2002 World Cup finals.

Successes with the Olympic and youth sides has again failed to show in the performance of the Japan team with Troussier's job up for review by the JFA at the end of this month.

The home team failed to find a way through rigid Chinese defending and Troussier may not last into next month if the JFA decide to alter plans for the Sydney Olympics and their long term ambitions to challenge in the latter stages of the first Asian-based World Cup.

A full strength Japan side boasted Hidetoshi Nakata and Shoji Jo but with Troussier's contract due to expire in June he may not earn an extension after this showing.

Japan were unlucky to find Chinese goalkeeper Jiang Jin in good form but they lacked the pace and power to unsettle the China back line. The visitors showed no interest in attacking other than venturing forward for an occasional set piece as new coach Bora Milutinovic reverted to negative tactics after his side racked up 19 goals in their first two matches under his guidance last month. Jin's best save of the game saw him tip over a snap shot from Jo but there was little to entertain the Yokohama crowd.