By Alastair Himmer
Tokyo, Japan - Former Japan coach Philippe Troussier has accused their World Cup-bound team of having a "stupid mentality" and said an obsession with trying to play like Spain or Brazil would only end in tears.
The Frenchman, who led Japan to the last 16 as co-hosts in 2002, called on coach Takeshi Okada to make wholesale changes after Monday's 2-0 home defeat by South Korea.
"It's a bad situation for Okada," Troussier said on Tuesday. "The situation now is exactly like it was when Okada was coach at the World Cup in 1998. The team has exactly the same stupid mentality.
"Okada has confusion in his head. He was blinded by the fact that he wanted to beat Korea.
"Monday was an important match to test some players or maybe a new strategy. They conceded an early goal and the players didn't know what to do. They don't have enough information.
Captain Park Ji-sung put Korea in front after six minutes at Saitama Stadium before Park Chu-young wrapped up the win just before the final whistle with a penalty in added time.
"After Korea scored there were 80 minutes left and we didn't see anything from Japan," said Troussier.
"If you have no confidence you can't take risks. You only get confidence if you know the solution."
"Okada wants to play like Spain, like Brazil. You have to be careful, you have to think seriously how to change your philosophy at the highest level."
The 55-year-old, linked with North Korea and Ivory Coast before the World Cup, said Okada needed to consider leaving out playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura in South Africa in June.
"Nakamura is a beautiful player and can win matches for you but you have to protect him," said Troussier, now general manager at Japanese third-tier side FC Ryukyu in Okinawa.
"Nakamura can play at Real Madrid, Barcelona, no problem, because he has some very talented players around him. But if you have Nakamura at his former Spanish team Espanyol, no.
"You need defensive abilities and that's not the case with Nakamura. Nakamura is a great player if you have 60 or 70 percent ball possession but that was not the case on Monday.
"It will also not be the case against Cameroon, the Netherlands or Denmark at the World Cup," continued Troussier, who famously axed Nakamura from his 2002 squad.
"In a band if I have Jimi Hendrix on guitar I would say don't go off and do a 40-second solo, even if you're the best in the world. Success comes from the collective way."
Troussier, sun-tanned and dressed in a grey suit with a flame-red tie and sitting in front of a bronze Buddha statue at his club's Tokyo office, feared the Japan side had stagnated.
Known as the "white witch doctor" during successful spells in Africa in charge of Nigeria, South Africa and Burkina Faso, he said Japan needed strong leadership from Okada.
"The situation is completely confused," shrugged Troussier, referring to Okada's decision to ask the JFA president if he should continue as coach following Monday's loss.
The Japan coach told JFA chief Motoaki Inukai he would face a lot of criticism by sticking with Okada.
"Okada said on Tuesdayy he wants to quit the post - and you want to reach the last four?" said Troussier. "Why do you want to quit? No, you're on the boat. You're captain of the boat."
Troussier said Japan had to focus on rebuilding confidence in their remaining warm-up games against England and Ivory Coast before their Group E opener versus Cameroon on June 14.
"I don't think Japan can beat the Netherlands," said the Frenchman, who has tipped the Dutch to go all the way in the South African tournament.
"But I think they could beat Cameroon - first match with a fresh mindset and with big motivation. I'm sure they can disturb this team," he added. - Reuters