Lost 5-1 to Arsenal while at Internazionale and oversaw Juventus’ 4-1 defeat away to Fulham in the Europa League in 2010.Īlways polite, patient and friendly, taking the time to answer every question. Was sacked at Milan after disappointing Champions League showings in successive seasons. Won the 2011 AFC Asian Cup and 2013 East Asian Cup with Japan. They first looked to Spain before hitting on Zaccheroni.Ĭoach of 13 Italian clubs from 1983 to 2010, most recently with Juventus, and won Serie A with Milan in 1999. CoachĪge 61 (01.04.53). Japan coach since August 2010Īfter the 2010 World Cup, Japan wanted a top European tactician to take the team up a notch. Then it’s off to Itu for the real action to begin. With much of his squad playing their club football in Europe, Zaccheroni selected Florida for the pre-World Cup training camp to acclimatise his squad to the heat and humidity. And as proved against Italy, Holland and Belgium, European opposition holds no special fear for Japan, so they will be hoping for good results against Ivory Coast and Greece. However, their record against African countries is better, not least a victory over Cameroon in the opening game of the 2010 finals and a 3-1 win over Ghana last September. They lost 3-0 to Brazil and 2-1 to Mexico at the Confederations Cup, and 4-2 to Uruguay in a friendly in August. And while Zaccheroni may also have a surprise up his sleeve, the mood in the country remains cautiously optimistic, with fans not quite sure what to expect this time.Ĭolombia are the standout team in the group and Japan generally struggle against the big teams from the Americas. The previous national coach, Takeshi Okada, faced similar issues in 2010 and he resolved them at the last minute by bringing in an extra holding midfielder.

However, the defensive problems have been there for all to see and were exposed during a shaky 4-2 win over New Zealand in a friendly in March. On the attack, the side has produced both goals and spectacles, most impressively the narrow 4-3 loss to Italy in the Confederations Cup. And while Alberto Zaccheroni’s side will be looking to at least equal their round-of-16 finish last time out, the coach knows that the team’s defensive frailties need to be addressed.ĭuring his first unbeaten year in charge, Zaccheroni could do no wrong, and a 2-2 draw away to Holland and 3-2 win in Belgium last November confirmed that there is plenty to get excited about with his team. Japan, like their fellow Asian qualifiers, know that while it is one thing to reach the World Cup finals, it is another matter entirely to do well once there.

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