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Soccer: Japan can go all the way in Germany, says Nakata+(Japan Economic Newswire Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)BONN, Feb. 27_(Kyodo) _ Bolton Wanderers midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata believes Japan have the potential to get through a tricky first-round group and go all the way to the final and win the 2006 World Cup. Few expect Japan to pose a serious threat in Germany this summer but when asked if he thought Japan had a realistic chance of pulling off a major shock and winning the final, Nakata told Kyodo News "of course there is a possibility." "We are going to play at the World Cup and as long as we are in it there is a possibility (of winning it). Anything can happen," the former Perugia, Roma and Bologna playmaker said on the eve of Japan's friendly against Bosnia in Dortmund on Tuesday. Nakata, who will play his first match of the year for the national team against Bosnia, added that he thought Japan would benefit from playing Tuesday's match at the same World Cup venue they will face holders Brazil in their final group-stage game. "Of course this match provides us with an opportunity to see what we need to work on but it is good to have the match at a stadium we will be playing together in at the World Cup," said Nakata. "It will be important to get a taste of the atmosphere and to be playing against a team that has a similar style to Croatia is also a plus." Nakata will be playing in his third World Cup in Germany, where Japan kick off their Group F campaign against Guus Hiddink's Australia before playing Croatia and Brazil. Under Frenchman Philippe Troussier, Japan reached the second for the first time the country co-hosted the 2002 finals with South Korea. |