Asian nation Japan enters this year's World Cup on a very prestigious note. Besides host Germany, Japan was the first team to qualify for the international competition.

After picking up six consecutive victories in the 2004 preliminary round, Japan went on to record 15 points out of a possible 18 in the qualifying campaign. With back-to-back wins over Bahrain and a 2-0 victory over Korea, the team managed to rank first in its group.

This year's tournament marks Japan's third consecutive World Cup. In 2002, former head coach Philippe Troussier guided Japan to the last sixteen with victories over Russia and Tunisia.

Now under the direction of Zico, Japan will look to advance even further in the 2006 World Cup. Zico, who has experience both as a coach and a player, heads to Germany with an impressive roster. The 53-year-old possesses one of Asia's strongest midfields which includes two-time Asian Player of the Year Hidetoshi Nakata, Shunsuke Nakamura and Shinji Ono.

Japan meets Group F contender Australia June 12 in Kaiserslautern in its opening group match.

Significant players of the past:

Kunishige Kamamoto, Kazuyoshi Miura

Achievements:

-- Asian Cup winners: 2000, 1992

-- FIFA Confederations' Cup runners-up: 2001

-- FIFA World Youth Championship runners-up: 1999

-- Olympic Games: bronze medal 1968

-- FIFA World Cup final appearance: 1998