Japan will launch a four-game international campaign Sunday against France in the opener of the King Hassan II Cup in Casablanca, Morocco. More than victories or losses, however, the upcoming contests should determine the fate of Japan manager Philippe Troussier, who has been on the verge of dismissal.
The Japan Football Association will decide whether to keep the Frenchman on the job after June by evaluating Troussier and the team's performance through these four matches in two international tournaments.
After meeting France, Japan will play either Morocco or Jamaica depending on the results of Sunday's games in Casablanca. Japan will then face Slovakia on June 11 (in Sendai) and Bolivia on June 18 (in Yokohama) in the Kirin Cup at home.