Troussier - goals excite local fans (Allsport)
JAPANESE JUST WANT GOALS
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Goals are the be-all and end-all for Japan fans at
the World Cup finals, according to their French coach Philippe Troussier.
The co-hosts are in Group H with Russia, Belgium and Tunisia, and Troussier
says that failure to qualify from it would be sweetened by a few goals.
"If we were to qualify for the last 16 by drawing three matches, 0-0 and
notching up just three points, that would be regarded as a major failure in the
eyes of the Japanese, who value goals scored above all else," explained
Troussier.
"But if we went out in the first round with six points, which could happen,
it would be a success because we would have scored."
Troussier believes that if Japan are able to negotiate their group they could
pull off a shock win against one of the more fancied nations.
"The competition will be the opportunity to show the world the level of the
Japanese game," he said.
"We have no fear of group H, a difficult group where all the teams believe
they have a good chance of qualifying.
"Our advantage will come from playing at home. Then, when it comes to the
knockout stage, we are capable of springing a major surprise, because we will be
seen as outsiders when we are in fact just as good as some of the other teams
involved."
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