SAITAMA -- A day before Wednesday night's friendly against Italy at Saitama Stadium, Japan coach Philippe Troussier on Tuesday expressed satisfaction with his team's World Cup preparation.
"The Japanese team is ready. If you ask me if we can start the World Cup tomorrow, I would say 'Yes,' " Troussier said. "So we've got to prove our maturity in tomorrow's game. I expect our player to have the same attitude as if this were our first World Cup game."
Japan will play its first World Cup game at the same venue on June 4 next year.
"But it's not a World Cup game, so I don't think the results matters. The most important thing is how we play."
Yokohama F. Marinos defender Naoki Matsuda withdrew from the squad on Monday due to a leg injury. Portsmouth goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi also has an injured leg but Troussier said he still might play Wednesday.
Italy arrived Tuesday and trained in Chiba. The team includes forwards Francesco Totti of AS Roma and Alessandro Del Piero of Juventus.