NEWS

Japan coach Takeshi Okada gave credit to his players for their hard work in the 2010 World Cup campaign, saying on their return that they were the best team he’s ever had.

Japan’s World Cup squad returned home on Thursday evening after a long journey from South Africa, where they reached the Round of 16 for the first time since the 2002 tournament that Japan co-hosted with Korea Republic.
The Samurai Blue beat Cameroon 1-0 in their opening match for their first World Cup win on foreign soil. They then lost 1-0 to the Netherlands and overcame Denmark 3-1 to advance to the knockout stage.
But there, the team from the Land of the Rising Sun fell to Paraguay 5-3 on penalties following a 120-minute scoreless draw in Pretoria.
“It’s been a great pleasure for me to work with these fantastic players and staff members,” Okada said at a press conference on their arrival at Kansai International Airport in Osaka. “This team was so wonderful that I really wanted them to have just one more – just one more game.
“All of them thought hard, worked hard and played to bring success to the team. This team was so great that it is definitely the best, or second best, that I’ve had in my coaching career.”
“They performed on the pitch with pride as representatives of Japan and with the spirit of the Japanese that they have inherited. I am extremely proud of the players.”
The 53-year-old Japanese coach went on: “We could feel the support from those involved with the J. League and our sponsors, as well as the feelings of the people who believed in our team and cheered us on. You might think that each one of them is a small element, but without them, we would not have been able to be where we are now. I am deeply grateful to them for their support.”
Okada, who also coached Japan in the 1998 World Cup, offered some advice to his returning players.
“Our World Cup is over, but our players have to move on in their football life. They should get back into action and work hard through both good times and bad times. I don’t think I will have another chance to work with them again, but I will be on their side and wish them every success and happiness.”
Japan squad captain Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi commented: “It was a pity that things came to an end in the last 16, as I wanted to play more.
“We have gained confidence from this tournament. All of us, including those who didn’t get a chance to play and our staff members, worked together and each one of us gave 100 percent in all our games.”
The Jubilo Iwata goalkeeper continued: “But we still have lots of things to work on, and it is time for us to return to our clubs and work there to develop our game more. That’s what we and all the J. League players should do now. I hope everyone pays close attention to our games in the J. League, which will help develop Japanese football.”
Midfielder Makoto Hasebe, who served as team captain, commented: “I would like to thank all the people who cheered us from Japan and in South Africa for their enthusiastic support.
“I was appointed as team captain but really just in name only as I didn’t really do anything. This team had great experienced players in Yoshikatsu-san, Nara-san [Seigo Narazaki] and Yuji-san [Yuji Nakazawa] and they all helped to support the team. We had such wonderful teamwork.”
The Wolfsburg player added: “I wish I could have played more games with this team. It has been a great joy to have worked together with my teammates and staff.”