Zico to try different formation against the Finns

Japan coach Zico is to scrap the 3-6-1 formation adopted against the United States when they play their next friendly against Finland in Shizuoka. That formation backfired when his six-man midfield where outplayed by the effecient Americans.

The Japanese coach switched to a flat back four in the match after the team went 3-0 down and it worked as they were able to pull back a couple of goals.

He however wants his team to be more solid and play with a big heart when they face the Finns.

Japan will continue with the 22-man Japanese based squad for the visit of the Finns and a few players will want to stake a claim for a seat on the plane to Germany.

Maki who scored against the Americans and Sato, along with midfielders Makoto Hasebe and Yuki e Abe were pointed out for special praise by the coach. They should all be involved on Saturday.

This will be the second of four matches that the Japanese team will play this month. They also face India in the Asian Cup qualifiers on 22 Feb and then travel to Germany to play Bosnia-Herzegovina on Feb 28.