RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan 2: Brazilian legend Zico, now coach of the Japanese national team, says the Land of the Rising Sun is moving towards a footballing revolution which could take it to the forefront of the game.

“Japan is already becoming a power in Asia - but it has to become like Nigeria, South Korea or Senegal and make it on the world stage.

“We have a few players going off to play on the European stage - and I tell coaches and fans alike that this generation can revolutionise Japanese football,” Zico told Brazilian daily Lance.

Several top Japanese names have taken the road to Europe in recent seasons, with Hidetoshi Nakata plying his trade with Italy’s Parma, Junichi Inamoto starring at England’s Fulham after a spell on the fringes at Arsenal and Shinji Ono with Holland’s 2002 UEFA Cup winners Feyenoord.—APP