Japan

Aside from Germany who qualified as hosts, Japan were the first team to book their place in the 2006 World Cup finals.

Despite this seeming ease, they did need a couple of last minute goals against North Korea and Oman to secure qualification.

Japan World Cup profile continues below

Japan's manager, the Brazilian, Zico is a footballing legend but is not always popular with the Japanese public, and without those late wins against Oman and North Korea, he probably wouldn’t still be in office.

Since the inception of Japan's own professional league in 1993, the J-league, the national side has steadily progressed and has competed in the last three World Cups.

Japan have a strong midfield, but when you look at the strikers, there is a big gap in quality.

Japan are ranked 15th in the world and are still improving, however they got off to a disappointing start losing 3-1 to Australia. In the second match they missed a number of chances and ended up drawing 0-0 with Croatia after goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi saved a penalty in the 20th minute.

In their third match Japan led Brazil through a Keiji Tamada goal but the tournament favourites evntually won 4-1 ending Japan's world cup.

Japan Squad:

Player Club Position Caps Goals
Y Doi FC Tokyo G 4 0
Y Kawaguchi Jubilo Iwata G 88 0
S Narazaki Grampus Eight G 50 0
A Kaji Gamba Osaka D 43 1
Koji Nakata FC Basle D 54 2
Y Komano Sanfrecce Hiroshima D 7 0
T Miyamoto Gamba Osaka D 68 3
T Moniwa FC Tokyo D 8 1
Y Nakazawa Yokohama Marinos D 49 9
K Tsuboi Urawa Reds D 32 0
Alex Urawa Reds M 71 5
Y Endo Gamba Osaka M 40 3
T Fukunishi Jubilo Iwata M 61 7
J Inamoto West Brom M 62 4
S Nakamura Celtic M 59 15
H Nakata Fiorentina M 73 11
M Ogasawara Kashima Antlers M 50 7
S Ono Urawa Reds M 53 6
S Maki JEF United F 9 3
M Oguro Grenoble F 17 5
N Takahara SV Hamburg F 41 17
K Tamada Grampus Eight F 38 7
A Yanagisawa Kashima Antlers F 56 17

Japan World Cup profile by Ben Rosenbaum