It wasn't the greatest 0-0 draw in the world but last Wednesday's game in Kobe meant more to Japan and Japanese soccer fans than such exercises in futility as the nine-goal win over Brunei in the Asian Cup qualifiers last month.

The significance of Wednesday's game revolves entirely around the fate of manager Philippe Troussier. Going into the match, it was viewed by many as a crucial factor in determining whether or not Troussier will get his present contract extended from June through the Olympics (September) and the Asian Cup (October).

There are those in the Japan Football Association who appear to have decided already that they've had enough of the enigmatic Frenchman while others are taking a more rational approach and are willing to give Troussier time to show that last year's ground work can produce tangible results.

Troussier himself is of the opinion that Wednesday's game in Kobe showed enough of an improvement over last year to merit such belief, although in truth there wasn't enough to be totally convincing.

The upshot of all this is a question, or any number of questions, all starting "What if . . . "

The JFA has made little secret of the fact that it would really like Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger to be in charge of the national team through the 2002 World Cup (or, perhaps, forever). M. Wenger has said that he is contracted to Arsenal through 2002. He has also said he wants to be in Japan "in some capacity" during the World Cup. He has also given other hints and half-hints that, while he may be under contract to Arsenal at the present moment in time, he wouldn't shed any tears if his precious contract was bought out by someone -- say, for example, the JFA -- for 2 million British pounds. If Wenger gives the word, Arsenal may be willing to sell. After all, who wants to keep a manager that doesn't want to stay? Indeed, a report at the weekend suggested that Arsenal has already tapped its former star defender and current Leeds manager David O'Leary to replace "Le Professeur."

Wenger, of course, is playing his cards close to his chest. A good season at Arsenal might prompt him to see out his contract. A successful final two years on his lucrative Arsenal contract would allow the Frenchman to name his price at any club in the world when it's up. On the other hand, a successful two years in charge of Japan might allow him to walk into the French job, presumably his ultimate goal.

Of course, Arsenal is not having a great season. It may be fourth in the Premier League, but it's been dropping games and points it shouldn't have been and may not qualify for next season's Champions League. It is, however, doing well in the UEFA Cup and a European title might just be enough to prompt him to stay.

Timing is very important. The JFA has indicated that it will decide next month whether or not to extend Troussier's contract. By the end of April, Wenger may well have decided if he wants to stay at Arsenal or not. If not, then the JFA effectively doesn't have much of a decision to make. No one at the JFA would hesitate for a moment to invite Wenger to replace his compatriot at Japan's helm.

If Wenger can't make up his mind until the end of the English season, that, too, shouldn't be a problem. Arsenal's season could be over in early May -- a couple of weeks later at the latest.

The JFA could wait until after the Kirin Cup in early June to make its final evaluation on Troussier. If Japan flops in the Kirin Cup, it could make the move for Wenger. If Japan does reasonably well in the Kirin Cup and Wenger hasn't committed to anything, then the JFA can wait until the Asian Cup in October. (The decision should not be based too much on the performance of Japan's Olympic team; it's the senior team that will fly the flag for Japan in 2002.)

Of course, Wenger may not be an option at all. If he's not, then it will give the JFA the chance to finally correct the mistake it made in hiring Troussier in the first place. In other words, it can appoint someone to the job who knows something about Japanese soccer. In short, someone from the J. League.

Whether it's June or October, the JFA will be able to see how the J. League teams are shaping up under their respective managers and hopefully will be able to make an informed decision.

But then I see those damned little piggies flying past my window and start worrying all over again.