Zico: The respected Gaijin
|
04/06/2003
Zico:
The respected Gaijin
FIFA.com
Brazilian soccer legend Zico
smiles as he listens to a question during a press conference at the Foreign
Correspondents' Club in Japan in Tokyo 18 April 2003, two days after his
team's first victory since he was installed as head coach of the Japan
national team July 2002. AFP PHOTO/ Toru YAMANAKA
|
 |
Few players have made a bigger impression on the
development of Japanese football than Zico. The Brazilian idol's contribution
and commitment in his 12 years as a player and technical director of four-time
J. League champions Kashima Antlers won the respect and affection of the
country's fans, players and football officials. Ten months after succeeding
Frenchman Philippe Troussier at the helm of the Japanese national team, the
50-year-old spoke to FIFA.com about Japan's prospects at this month's FIFA
Confederations Cup, life as a coach and, of course, Brazil.
Zico, known as the "White Pele" for his outstanding performances for Flamengo,
Udinese and Brazil, played in three FIFA World CupT competitions (1978, '82,
'86) and worked as a technical coordinator for Brazil's 1998 World Cup team.
Currently, he is preparing his team for the FIFA Confederations Cup France
2003, with qualification for Germany 2006 as his long-term target. It will be
the first major tournament for Zico's side.
Under his guidance, Japan have played five friendly internationals with a
1-2-2 win-draw-loss record, the latest a 1-0 home defeat to rivals Korea
Republic on 31 May. However, the team's schedule has been badly disrupted by
the Iraq war and SARS. A trip to the United States in March was abandoned and
the four-nation East Asian Championship scheduled for late May was postponed.
While these changes may have affected his side's preparations for the FIFA
Confederations Cup, Zico, as always, tries to look at the positive side of
things and carries on regardless as he strives to create a solid foundation
for his team.
Japan are scheduled to play in the three-team Kirin Cup against Argentina, in
Osaka on 8 June, and Paraguay, in Saitama on 11 June, before heading to France,
where Zico will be hoping to make a good showing in his first real competition
in charge.
