Serbia coach scoffs at Japan's World Cup target
Source: Agencies |
April 7, 2010, Wednesday
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SERBIA coach Radomir Antic yesterday dismissed Japan's target of reaching the World Cup semifinals, predicting it will struggle to make the second round.
"Japan's group is very tough," Antic said before today's friendly against Japan in Osaka. "The culture of the game makes Holland and Denmark very tough opponents.
"Cameroon have (Inter Milan striker Samuel) Eto'o who can score goals anytime. Japan will need to be very organized. That will be the key for them to get through that group."
Japan coach Takeshi Okada has refused to backtrack after declaring his target in South Africa as a place in the last four despite being drawn in a daunting Group E and his side having never won a World Cup match on foreign soil.
Antic said his side's chances of reaching the last 16 were better with Serbia in Group D against Germany, Ghana and Australia in its first major tournament as an independent nation, which begins on June 11.
It played at the 2006 World Cup in Germany as Serbia & Montenegro, making a swift exit after losing all three of its group games before the country's break-up.
"All four teams have the potential to go through for sure," he said of Group D. "But we have great belief in our ability. To coach the team at its first World Cup as 'Serbia' is an honor."
Japan midfielder Junichi Inamoto, however, has promised there will be no repeat of the team's 2006 World Cup flop this time round.
Once the golden boy of the Japan side, the 30-year-old is poised to play in his third World Cup this year and believes the current Japan side is the best he has played in.
"The quality of players and the communication is better," Inamoto said. "The coach (Okada) has the team playing good football. The level has certainly improved."
"The first game (against Cameroon on June 14) will be key," said the former Arsenal and Galatasaray midfielder. "We have to get a result. But even if we lose we must make sure we don't lose the plot like we did last time after we lost to Australia in our first game."
Japan exited the 2006 tournament with barely a whimper following its 1-3 defeat by the Socceroos as players bickered among themselves.
(Agencies)
"Japan's group is very tough," Antic said before today's friendly against Japan in Osaka. "The culture of the game makes Holland and Denmark very tough opponents.
"Cameroon have (Inter Milan striker Samuel) Eto'o who can score goals anytime. Japan will need to be very organized. That will be the key for them to get through that group."
Japan coach Takeshi Okada has refused to backtrack after declaring his target in South Africa as a place in the last four despite being drawn in a daunting Group E and his side having never won a World Cup match on foreign soil.
Antic said his side's chances of reaching the last 16 were better with Serbia in Group D against Germany, Ghana and Australia in its first major tournament as an independent nation, which begins on June 11.
It played at the 2006 World Cup in Germany as Serbia & Montenegro, making a swift exit after losing all three of its group games before the country's break-up.
"All four teams have the potential to go through for sure," he said of Group D. "But we have great belief in our ability. To coach the team at its first World Cup as 'Serbia' is an honor."
Japan midfielder Junichi Inamoto, however, has promised there will be no repeat of the team's 2006 World Cup flop this time round.
Once the golden boy of the Japan side, the 30-year-old is poised to play in his third World Cup this year and believes the current Japan side is the best he has played in.
"The quality of players and the communication is better," Inamoto said. "The coach (Okada) has the team playing good football. The level has certainly improved."
"The first game (against Cameroon on June 14) will be key," said the former Arsenal and Galatasaray midfielder. "We have to get a result. But even if we lose we must make sure we don't lose the plot like we did last time after we lost to Australia in our first game."
Japan exited the 2006 tournament with barely a whimper following its 1-3 defeat by the Socceroos as players bickered among themselves.
(Agencies)
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