A new dawn for the land of rising sun

Fielding a squad with an average age of just 24, Troussier’s team were a class apart throughout the tournament, averaging more than three goals per game with their attack-driven brand of `total football’.

And ominously for the rest of Asia, Troussier – dubbed the White Witch Doctor

during a magical coaching career in Africa — is determined to prove that his side can get better as the 2002 World Cup looms.

“We have played beautiful football in Lebanon and I’m very proud of my team,” he said after the Asian Cup triumph.

“This victory is important for Japanese football — it will accelerate the development of the players in this squad.

“For our team, winning here is the key to moving on to a new and higher level. It means the team has confidence and belief … it’s having the winning mentality,” Troussier said.

Japan’s victory in Lebanon was also achieved without AC Roma playmaker Hidetoshi Nakata, as well as several other senior players rested for the competition.

“The door has been left open for those players. Obviously now we are going to have a healthy competition for places at the next World Cup” Troussier said.

While Troussier and his team were left celebrating only the second Japanese Asian Cup triumph ever, their rivals were scratching their heads wondering how they will be able to raise their own games.

China’s coach Bora Milutinovic, whose team had come closest to matching the technical skill of the Japanese during their 3-2 semi-final defeat, said the secret of Japan’s success was long-term planning.

“The quality of their football is excellent,” Milutinovic said. “Every team in Asia should be trying to get to their level. They have benefited from having a long-term plan and strong club competitions.

“China are at the same level technically, but we need more international games. We played hardly any fixtures this year — we need to be playing against Japan and South Korea on a regular basis,” Milutinovic said.

If there are other lessons to be learned from Japan’s success, one of them seems to be that stability pays off.

Saudi Arabia — who have gone through five National coaches in the space of three years — sacked their coach Milan Macala after the team were beaten 4-1 by Japan early in the tournament.

By contrast Japan’s authorities have stuck with Troussier since the end of the 1998 World Cup.

The Frenchman had a miserable start to his tenure — a solitary win against Egypt in his first nine matches in charge — but survived in his post to guide the team to their brilliant Asian Cup win.

The other team from the Middle East which had looked set to challenge Japan had been Iran. But their Asian Cup ended in disarray and bitter recrimination following their quarter-final exit against South Korea.

Iran Football Federation President Safaee Farahani cast a grim picture as his team attempt to catch up with the Japanese.

“Troussier earns a salary of $1 million a year,” he said. “The entire budget for IFF is $ 228,000. How can we compete with that ? It’s like buying a Trabant and expecting it to be a Mercedes.

“The Japanese team has been successful because you are seeing five years of investment into their football. We can’t hope to succeed until we start putting in some money,” he said.