With the Japanese media and public on his back, Zico called up the majority of his overseas stars for this seemingly meaningless friendly against Nigeria. In short, Zico desperately needed a win to give him some breathing space.
![News photo](/images/photos2003/sw20030821a1a.jpg)
On Wednesday night at Tokyo's National Stadium, he didn't have to wait long for his first lungful as Hamburg SV striker Naohiro Takahara pounced in the very first minute with a clinical piece of finishing to give his country the first of its goals in a 3-0 victory over a weakened Nigeria team.