Japan coach Okada slighted by Dutch

Japan and the Netherlands will battle it out in next year’s World Cup, but the Dutch coach has some homework to do after failing to recognise his Japanese opposite number at a Cape Town dinner.

Japan’s Takeshi Okada said he was speaking with Australia coach Pim Verbeek, a Dutchman, on the eve of Friday’s World Cup draw when Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk joined and apparently mistook him for one of Japan’s FA officials.

“Then he (van Marwijk) asked me who the Japan coach is and where he is. I told him, ‘That’s me’. Then he said, ‘Is that so?'” a miffed Okada told Japanese media late Sunday on his return from South Africa.

The encounter took place at an official dinner and came not long after Japan and the Netherlands played their first-ever match in September, a friendly that Japan lost 3-0.

“We shook hands before the friendly match, but he had already forgotten me. It seemed he cared about me only so much,” Okada added.

The Japanese coach said the Dutch manager showed in the conversation that he “knew Japanese football and players well”.

However, he added: “I don’t think it’s because he was worried about us.”

Japan face a tough draw in Group E against three higher-ranked countries — the Netherlands, Cameroon and Denmark.

The three-time Asian champions are noted for their organisation but lack front-line firepower.

Okada, who insists that Japan can make it to the semi-finals in South Africa, said his team had a “sufficient chance” of getting a draw at least from each of their group games.

“The Netherlands have a wealth of talent with stars even among their reserves. Denmark are well organised with tight defences. Cameroon are a high-quality side with all players playing in Europe,” Okada said.

“We must beat one of them because we cannot advance to the next stage with just three draws,” Okada said, adding that there are at least two teams “who may give us chances”.