Japan seek a boost of quality against Cameroon

Jun 12, 2010, 22:12 GMT

Bloemfontein, South Africa - Japan arrived Saturday in Bloemfontein admitting they need to drastically improve on their recent form if they wish to stand a chance of beating Cameroon in their opening match on Monday.

'Our preparations have been tough, but what counts is the first game (of the World Cup)' team captain and midfielder Makoto Hasebe said.

'Tough,' would be regarded as an understatement by those who have followed Japan's woeful warm-up performances.

Before arriving in South Africa, Japan notched up four straight losses in their worst such run since 1998.

The team, coached by Takeshi Okada, then rounded of their preparations with a goalless draw against Zimbabwe.

Hasebe played in that game despite suffering a back injury in Japan's penultimate warm-up match, a 2-0 defeat against the Ivory Coast.

'It is getting better again and I feel okay,' the 26-year-old Hasebe, who plays for Wolfsburg said when asked about his chances of playing in the match with Cameroon.

He was speaking after the team underwent a training session at the sports ground of Bloemfontein's Free State Technical University.

Cameroon was expected expected to arrive in the central South African city on Sunday.

Japan and Cameroon's other Group E preliminary round opponents are the Netherlands and Denmark.