Japan Home Shirt 2001

In 2001, Japan, managed by Philippe Troussier, prepared for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted with South Korea. The squad featured key players like Hidetoshi Nakata, Shunsuke Nakamura, Junichi Inamoto, and goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi, blending experienced internationals with emerging talent. Japan participated in the FIFA Confederations Cup and various friendlies to fine-tune tactics and cohesion. Kawaguchi remained pivotal in goal, providing leadership and stability. The team focused on defensive organisation, counter-attacking play, and exploiting Nakata’s creativity. 2001 was crucial for building confidence, chemistry, and tactical discipline, laying the groundwork for Japan’s successful World Cup campaign in 2002.