Given that coach Zico has decided to start Hidetoshi Nakata in his first game for Japan after a year out through injury, named him captain and decided to switch to an unfamiliar formation, it's hardly surprising Japan's players have broken ranks ahead of one of their most important games of the year.
Gamba Osaka defender Tsuneyasu Miyamoto and German-based striker Naohiro Takahara have questioned Zico's decision to switch to a 4-4-2 system for Japan's crucial World Cup qualifier against Iran on Friday.
The Brazilian coach has opted to scrap the 3-5-2 formation that served him so well while Serie A star Nakata was out with groin and back problems, and is hoping the new shape of the team will snuff out Iran's attack in the Group B clash in Tehran.
But Miyamoto, who was regular captain in Nakata's absence, voiced his doubts as to whether the team could readjust to playing four at the back having only practiced it with the full squad over the last few days.