Japan not World Cup underdog, says coach

NZ the only team to go right through the last world cup unbeaten. Watch out Japan lol

Two South American teams and a European champion. Good luck against them, Japan.

I didn't even realise we had a soccer team in NZ.... are they failed rugby players?

'I didn't even realise we had a soccer team in NZ.... are they failed rugby players?' New Zealand put up 3 gutsy, unbeaten performances against better sides in a competition which draws far more interest around the world than rugby could dream of. They did their nation proud. As for Japan being underdogs, the bookies have Columbia odds-on, Ivory Coast at around 7/2, Japan at 4/1 and Greece at around 6/1 to win the group. I suppose that makes Japan very slight underdogs to qualify, but most agree that this group is the most difficult to predict. Any combination of 2 from 4 to qualify wouldn't be a major shock. World rankings can very often be misleading - bookies odds tend to be closer to reality.

@Jaymann

NZ have a rugby team?! ; )

Many - if not most teams - around the world actually embrace and talk up the underdog status. I've seen coaches angrily insisting their teams are underdogs when they were in fact raging favourites! Not sure what Zacc is playing at here - maybe Italians don't identify with the underdog?

@ StormR - I think your kiwi boys are the only team in world-cup history that was undefeated, yet didn't win the trophy! Shame the All-Whites just missed out this time.

Ganbarre, Samurai Blue !

I agree with Zaccheroni. Columbia will be the toughest of the three. If Japan can get past Greece and Ivory Coast with wins or draws, then the guys will be inspired to give Columbia a run for advancement. But how much farther they could go is the question. A major power in the knockout rounds will send them packing.

Guess they'll have to change their name to the Samurai Green ... 'cause they'll be wearing green uniforms ...

COLOMBIA is a South American country and Columbia is that jacket you wear out in the cold, wet, nasty weather! Anyway, if Zacchorini thinks the Samurai Blue has any chance against COLOMBIA, well, keep on dreaming!,

@elbuda People often talk the Japanese media putting undue pressure on Japanese sports players. This is true, but they don't run the risk of getting shot when they touch down at Narita if they perform badly. Columbia could be under a very different kind of pressure.

@Lubrasu - NZ ave THE rugby team (Sport's most successful team)

I think Japan has great chances to pass as long they do their best, everything will be fine.