Wake up and Smell the Sake

It was either the most uninformed or patronizing comment I have heard so far during the Confederations Cup. "Japan is really a football nation," German commentator Wolf-Dieter Poschmann breathlessly exclaimed in disbelief after the Asian Cup champions had held Brazil to a 2-2 draw in the all-important Group B game on Wednesday, narrowly missing out on a semi-final spot at the world champions' expense on goal difference only.

"Japan is really a football nation." Where has Poschmann been for the last ten years? Probably salivating over established – and, more often than not, underperforming – European teams or sighing in sporting ecstasy over the brilliant but boringly consistent giants of the South American game. These can only be the reasons for the almost catatonic shock that he went into when it became glaringly obvious that Japan can actually play soccer at a high international level.

If European, and in general western, soccer commentators were not so fixated on the often disappointing performances of the big teams, audiences would have known that Poschmann's comments showed a remarkable lack of insight.

Domestic J-League formed basis for success

Thanks in part to the continuing phenomenal success of the domestic J-League, which took the country by storm when it started in 1993 and which has gone on to be more than just a cash cow for fading western stars, Japan have been on a steady and exciting rise for the past decade.

After narrowly missing out on a World Cup finals debut in the US in 1994 due to a last minute Iraqi equalizer in the play-off, Japan finally made it to a World Cup in France 1998 after beating Iran. They didn't make it out of the group stage, losing all three matches but their style and tactical play under French coach Philippe Troussier earned plaudits and some of the players, particularly Hidetoshi Nakata, fame and fortune.

World Cup 2002 a historic step for co-hosts

Four years later, with the 2000 Asian Cup under their belts, Japan co-hosted the 2002 World Cup with South Korea and won Group H by beating Russia (1-0), Tunisia (2-0) and drawing with Belgium (2-2).

While their co-hosts got the headlines with their run to the semi-finals, Japan's elimination in the first knock-out round was not a disaster. They had claimed their first points in a World Cup finals tournament and their first-ever qualification for the second round, lost narrowly 1-0 to eventual third-placed Turkey and played with style throughout. They were also in good company: Denmark, Sweden, Mexico and Italy were among those who also went out at the same stage.

International stars and a wealth of talent

Japan also showed that it could unearth talent through a well-organized scouting structure and that its future was indeed bright. Following in the footsteps of Nakata (photo), Shinji Ono became an international star with Feyenoord in the Netherlands and went on to win the Asian Footballer award for 2002. Following the 2002 World Cup, Japan played in the 2003 Confederations Cup in France where Shunsuke Nakamura made his name as the next rising star, ending the tournament as Japan's top scorer.

Japan were also the first team to qualify for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany. The 2004 Asian Cup winners beat North Korea 2-0 to book their place.

Euro champs outclassed, World champs matched

In this Confederations Cup, Japan labored against Mexico in their first game, losing a yawn-fest 1-2. But they out-classed European Champions Greece in the next game, although the profligacy in front of goal was embarrassing, and matched Brazil for long periods of the final Group B game with sweeping and rapid attacking moves.

In the end, if Japan had scored a couple of the many chances they fluffed against the Greeks, it would be they and not Brazil who would be meeting Germany in the semi-finals. And Wolf-Dieter Poschmann would probably have needed emergency resuscitation.

French icon Michel Platini once remarked that Japan play a brand of "future football". Maybe it's time our commentators wake up to the fact that this future may not be as far off as many think.