Japan coach Takeshi Okada has issued a surprise warning that the former Asian champions will “seriously” aim for a semi-final place in the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.
“The year 2009 will be a very important year,” he said in a video message shown at a sports event in Tokyo, according to the Sankei Sports daily on Tuesday.
“We will seriously aim to finish in the top four at the World Cup,” he said.
“Some people may laugh it off but I think it is possible.”
The message prompted warm applause as it was played at a newly opened sports goods shop on Monday, the daily said.
Japan’s best World Cup result was a place in the last 16. They lost 1-0 to Turkey in the knockout stage at the 2002 World Cup which they co-hosted with South Korea.
Okada, 52, who guided Japan to their World Cup finals debut at France 1998, began his second stint as national coach a year ago by taking over from Ovica Osim after the Bosnian suffered a serious stroke.
Only days into the job Okada was quoted as telling his squad: “In 2002, South Korea came in fourth. Our team can do better.”
Okada came under fire early on as his team was accused of lacking clear offensive tactics.
But a 3-0 rout of Qatar away in the World Cup qualifying round eased pressure on him.
With two wins and one draw, Japan will next face unbeaten leaders Australia at home on February 11 in their fourth Group A qualifier.
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