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Japan, having qualified for Brazil back in June last year, haven’t experienced any competitive football since their abject performance at the Confederations Cup.
Their three defeats in that tournament in Brazil highlighted their deficiencies against the World's top nations.
A revitalised squad under Italian manager Alberto Zaccheroni did however produce an admirable draw against the Netherlands before a 3-2 victory against a Belgium side that included Eden Hazard alongside a host of Premier League stars.
Manchester United’s Shinji Kagawa and AC Milan’s Keisuke Honda are the powerhouse in the Samurai Blue’s attack and could threaten the rest of the group for a last 16 berth.
But the side could be caught out defensively with Southampton defender Maya Yoshida, who played only eight Premier league games for the Saints last season, in the heart of defence.
Japan have twice reached the last 16 of the World Cup in the last century, once when they co-hosted the tournament with South Korea in 2002, and again last time around in South Africa, going out to a penalty shootout against Paraguay.
Verdict: They have enough firepower to reach the last 16 for a third time, if they can shore things up at the back.
