Former Japan and AS Roma star Hidetoshi Nakata said Tuesday his country should go to the World Cup finals in South Africa next summer with the aim of winning the tournament.
"There is no point in playing in the World Cup unless you try to win the tournament. To that end, it doesn't matter who you play," Nakata said in Cape Town, where the 2010 World Cup draw will be held Friday.
He is visiting South Africa as part of the World Cup trophy tour.
"I never thought about who we were facing, or what position we would be in the group standings, in my three World Cups" Nakata said.
Nakata retired shortly after Japan's campaign in the 2006 World Cup in Germany ended in disappointment.
"In the process of becoming intermediate players in the World Cup, Japan should establish their own style of soccer that the world will recognize," he added.
Japan coach Takeshi Okada has called on his players to fight for a place in the last four in South Africa.