Nakata: "we're rubbish"
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ByEurosport
Published 05/06/2006 at 11:53 GMT
Hidetoshi Nakata thinks his Japan side are a shambles ahead of their opening World Cup game against Australia next week. Bolton midfielder Nakata was speaking after Japan stumbled to a 1-0 win over lowly Malta in their final warm-up game on Sunday.
FOOTBALL 2006 World Cup Japan Nakata
Image credit: Imago
"We got nothing from the game," fumed Nakata. "It doesn't matter what sort of football you play - unless you run and work for each other it's pointless. Those are basic things."
The 29-year-old former Parma and Roma player has already stuck the boot in about his side's professionalism, complaining that the atmosphere within the Japanese squad was "too friendly" and that they were "not ready" for the World Cup.
"We're hardly at the stage where we can suddenly change things," Nakata told reporters. "What we're missing is the heart."
Nakata is Japan's most well-known and high-achieving player, but has been no stranger to controversy in the past, regularly sparring with former coach Philippe Troussier ahead of the 2002 World Cup, where they reached the second round.
Nakata was influential in last week's impressive 2-2 draw with World Cup hosts Germany but the mood has changed after injuries to Naohiro Takahara, Atsushi Yanagisawa and wing back Akira Kaji.
Sunday's goalscorer Keiji Tamada scored played down the rift ahead of the opening clash against Australia:
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FOOTBALL 2005-2006 Friendly Match Japan-Malta - Keiji Tamada
Image credit: Reuters
"We're in a strange country where we don't speak the language so it hasn't really hit us that we're at the World Cup," said Tamada. "But we'll be ready."
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