DORTMUND, Germany -- Zico has come up with all manner of excuses during his four years in charge to explain away shoddy performances from Japan, and the Brazilian was trotting them out at an almost daily rate in Germany during the World Cup.

Here's a quick round up of the best of the bunch:

* It was too hot for Japan's games against Australia and Croatia.

* Japan should have had a penalty awarded against Australia.

* FIFA shouldn't have picked a European referee for Japan's game against Croatia (allegedly told to a group of Brazilian journalists)

* The longball tactics of Australia and Croatia were too difficult to defend against.

* The 9 p.m. kickoff against Brazil was past Shunsuke Nakamura's bedtime.

(One of the above is not strictly true)

Here are some other Zico classics:

* If Akira Kaji hadn't had his early goal disallowed against Brazil in the Confederations Cup in 2005, Japan would have won the match 3-2 instead of drawing 2-2.

* Japan shouldn't have to play in first-round qualifying in the World Cup (After traveling to Oman during 2006 qualifying)

* Japan didn't have enough time to prepare for a World Cup qualifier (Before a 2-1 win away to the mighty Singapore).

* FIFA showed a lack of respect by picking match officials from Benin and Australia to referee Japan games during the Confederations Cup in 2003.

BONN VOYAGE: The Japan team returned to Bonn from Dortmund on Thursday night after the 4-1 thrashing by Brazil put them out of the tournament and was due to catch the 9 p.m. flight on Friday from Frankfurt back to Narita Airport in Chiba Prefecture.

Before the team left they had a quick flesh presser with the Mayor of Bonn in the Town Square, thanking her for Bonn's hospitality before heading off to the airport.

Bonn really has pulled out the stops for both the Japan team and the fans, with all the fans I've spoken to saying that they have enjoyed their time in the beautiful town.

It's a shame the players didn't get to see too much of the town -- not one person I spoke to said they had seen a Japan player going for a walk around Bonn.

It would have been nice to bump into one of the players letting off a bit of steam, but it seems that if they weren't at training or traveling to and from games they spent all their time at their hotel, the Hilton.

The fans, on the other hand, seemed to have a great time sampling the relaxed Bonn nightlife and it was a great decision to have Bonn as the base camp.