PAUL EJIME, Lagos | Friday 11.00am.
FORMER Bafana Bafana coach Phillipe Troussier says Japan, the first Asian side to play in the World Youth Championship final, can beat Spain on Saturday to lift the trophy, said former Bafana Bafna coach Philippe Troussier on Friday. “We respect Spain, but we can still win,” warned Troussier, who guided . However the Frenchman, who two years ago was sacked as coach of Nigeria, admitted he was surprised to be in the final.
“I didn’t expect to get this far,” he said.
Troussier added that his players were tired after a tough semi-final match against Uruguay on Wednesday and would be affected by the loss of star strike Shinji Ono through suspension. He said the mood in the camp was excellent and that Japan’s progress was just part of a longer term development plan for co-hosting the 2002 World Cup.
“Japan has many talented players… We came here as ambassadors. We knew that good results will help our World Cup preparation which has just taken the first step today,” the “white Witchdoctor” added.
Japan’s strong performance in Nigeria showed it was a side to fear in 2002, he said.
“By the time we host the World Cup in 2002, Japan will no longer be underdogs. We have shown our potential to the world,” adding that several of the junior players could be expected to star in Japan. — AFP