NIIGATA -- Japan manager Philippe Troussier is asking for better decision-making, strong leadership and commitment to the game from each of his players in the Confederations Cup, which begins Group B action Thursday in Japan.
"In this tournament, I'd like to see individual decisions and challenge each one of our players," Troussier said in a press conference at a Niigata hotel. "An opening game is particularly tough, maybe the hardest in a tournament."
Troussier said that Canada, Japan's first opponent, is physically stronger than the Japanese and has brought most of its players who play in Europe, such as West Ham goalkeeper Craig Forrest and midfielder Paul Stalteri of Werder Bremen.