 |
Team News |  |
World Cup Player Profiles | |
Fixtures | |
Betting | |
Mobile |  |
Japan
Latest News / Squad / Team Profile / Player Profiles / Betting / Results
Junichi Inamoto
25/04/2006: Junichi Inamoto is one of the only Japanese players to be plying his trade outside of Asia.
He had already been spotted by Arsenal's Arsene Wenger early on, but was released by Arsenal before the 2002 World Cup.
His good performances during the 2002 tournament brought him to international attention.
He scored some crucial goals for his country during their home tournament even though his natural position in midfield is more defensive.
Although 27-year-old Inamoto never quite made it at the London club, after a brief period at West Londoners Fulham, he is still holding down a role at Premiership side West Brom.
Japan are being coached by Brazilian legend Zico, who starred for his nation during their 1982 World Cup campaign.
He will be planning to cause a shock to his fellow countrymen when Japan meet much-fancied Brazil in Dortmund, during the group stages.
Japan as a whole will be wanting to carry on the progress they made four years ago by progressing from the tough group.
Japan
Shinji Ono (04/05/2006)
Junichi Inamoto (25/04/2006)