Outright Odds: 300/1
Group F Winners: 16/1
Japan are a difficult team to predict. Last year they beat European champions Greece and earned a credible draw with Brazil in last years Confederations Cup but their qualifying campaign was less than convincing.
They lost just once in 12 qualifying matches, away at Iran, and topped the group overall, but they only managed to score more than two goals against a severely depleted Indian side and needed last minute wins against Oman and Korea DPR.
Such feebleness in qualification saw the public call for manager Zicos head but the fact they qualified for the tournament will save the Brazilian football legends job for the time being. Japan reached the second round four years ago but they will do well to reach that stage this time around.
The 2002 campaign saw Japan defeat a dismal Russia before narrowly losing out to Turkey in the second round. Legend has it that then-coach Phillipe Troussier chose striker Akinori Nishizawa, who had not played in the tournament, ahead of regular strikers Takayuki Suzuki and Atushi Yanagisawa because it was his birthday. Surely Zico wouldnt make such a mistake?
A...
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