The Samurai
The Japanese team under their Italian coach have had
a choppy ride through to the final FIFA rounds. They
shone in South
Africa in 2010 though, progressing to the second stage at the expense of the
likes of Denmark and Cameroon. They came close to stunning Paraguay with the
South Americans only advancing through a penalty shootout victory after regular
and extra time finished goal-less.
After a somewhat lacklustre
start to their 2014 campaign they managed to find their form and drew 1:1 with Australia in the final
qualifying round. AC Milan
midfielder Keisuke Honda has quickly established his place as the team's new
leader,
These guys could
provide a surprise or two and their determination and doggedness to achieve something should not be
discounted.
