Japan national football team

The Japan national football team is the national team of Japan and is controlled by the Japan Football Association. After being overshadowed for years by the popularity of sumo wrestling and baseball, it has gained strength fairly recently. Japan's first World Cup appearance was in 1998, four years before they hosted the 2002 World Cup with South Korea. Losers of all three group games in 1998, they were knocked out of the tournament in Round 2 in 2002.

Related Topics:
Japan - Japan Football Association - Sumo - Baseball - World Cup - 1998 - 2002 World Cup - South Korea

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The side have had considerably more success in the Asian Cup, taking home the winner's trophy in three of the last four finals. Their principal continental rivals are China, Iran and South Korea.

Related Topics:
Asian Cup - China - Iran - South Korea

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On June 8, 2005, Japan qualified for its third World Cup by beating North Korea 2-0 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Related Topics:
June 8 - 2005 - North Korea - Bangkok, Thailand

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