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| June 12, 2006 | Monday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 15, 1427 |
Japan ready for Aussies
KAISERSLAUTERN, June 11: Japan are bracing themselves for a gruelling physical battle when they face Australia in their World Cup opener on Monday.
The Asian champions will look to counter Australia's power with their own tactical nous and speed on the break in a Group F game regarded by both teams as vital to their prospects.
With Croatia and World Cup holders Brazil looming in the group, a poor performance in Kaiserslautern would leave the losers with a mountain to climb to reach the last 16.
Japan overcame earthquakes, typhoons and a much-publicised curfew-breaking drinking session early in coach Zico's reign to qualify for the World Cup for the second time.
The Brazilian has been sweating over the fitness of several key players in the run-up to the Australia clash while questions remain over the stability of Japan's defence.
Only Yuji Nakazawa, at 187 cm, stands tall among Japan's three-man back line and he will be asked to shadow Australia forward Mark Viduka, cleared to play after a calf problem.
Zico’s first choice strikers Naohiro Takahara and Atsushi Yanagisawa, as well as playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura, have all recovered from knocks and should start.
The Japanese squad has also closed ranks after playmaker Hidetoshi Nakata blasted the team as a shambles following a narrow 1-0 win over Malta in their final warm-up game.
Guus Hiddink's Australia will also be at full strength for their first World Cup finals match in 32 years with Harry Kewell (groin) and Tim Cahill (knee) given the all-clear to start.
The Socceroos have looked sharp since a dramatic qualifying victory over Uruguay, beating European champions Greece 1-0 and holding Netherlands to a 1-1 draw in warm-up matches.
Australia's preparations have been shrouded in secrecy but they will rely on the ‘Hiddink Factor’ to give them a psychological edge as their Dutch coach plots more success.
The Australians, who lost twice and drew once in their only previous finals appearance in 1974, will also hope some of the magic of South Korea's remarkable run to the 2002 semi-finals under Hiddink rubs off on them.
Probable teams:
AUSTRALIA (4-5-1): 1-Mark Schwarzer; 7-Brett Emerton, 2-Lucas Neil, 3-Craig Moore, 14-Scott Chipperfield; 13-Vince Grella, 5-Jason Culina, 4-Tim Cahill, 23-Marco Bresciano, 10-Harry Kewell; 11-Mark Viduka (captain).
Coach: Guus Hiddink.
JAPAN (3-5-2): 23-Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi; 5-Tsuneyasu Miyamoto (captain), 22-Yuji Nakazawa, 19-Keisuke Tsuboi; 3-Yuichi Komano, 7-Hidetoshi Nakata, 15-Takashi Fukunishi, 10-Shunsuke Nakamura, 14-Alex; 9-Naohiro Takahara, 13-Atsushi Yanagisawa.
Coach: Zico.
Referee: Essam El Fatah (Egypt).—Reuters
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