Japan start their build up to the World Cup finals

The Japanese national team arrived in San Francisco yesterday ahead of their clash with the United States of America on Feb 10. This will be the first match in a busy month that will see them also play Finland in Shizuoka on Feb 18, India at the Yokohama stadium on Feb 22 (for the 2007 Asian Cup Qualifiers) and finally Bosnia in Dortmund Germany on Feb 28.

Japanese coach Zico has taken a Japanese-based 22-man team to the United States. He has drafted in goalkeepers Ryota Tsuzuki and Takashi Shimoda to cover for the injured duo Yoichi Doi and Hitoshi Sogahata.

The team will be based in Santa Clara, where they will tune-up ahead of the clash with the United States.