FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template

Japan’s head coach Takeshi Okada thanked Brazil on Tuesday for making his country football crazy by providing top-flight players and coaches to the J-League. “Japan is celebrating like crazy at home for its debut in the World Cup,” Okada said on the eve of the opening of the tournament. “Perhaps, the enthusiasm is greater than in any other country. The Japanese have respect for many Brazilian coaches and players in the J-League and their influence is tremendous,” he said. Indeed, his strike force includes a substitute, Brazilian-born Wagner Lopes of Bellmare Hiratsuka.

The 29-year-old was naturalised and made the national team last year, in the middle of Japan’s qualifying struggle, after playing for 10 years in Japan. He has scored three goals in international duty. Dunga, Brazil’s national captain, has been the midfield marshal for the J-League Jubilo Iwata since his country won the 1994 tournament in the United States.

Cesar Sampaio, another midfielder for Brazil’s World Cup squad, is also a playmaker for the Yokohama Flugels.

Other imported J-Leaguers, also playing in France 98, include Yugoslav midfielder Dragan Stojkovic of Nagoya Grampus Eight, Cameroon striker Patrick Mboma of Gamaba Osaka and three South Koreans-Hong Myung-Bo, Ha Seok-Ju and Kim Do-Hoon.