Japan, the first team other than hosts South Africa to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, have never made it past the last 16 stage of the World Cup and once again they will be lucky if they go past this stage in South Africa.

Japan's first FIFA World Cup appearance was in 1998 in France, where they lost all three matches. Their first two fixtures went 1-0 in favor of Argentina and Croatia, despite playing well in both games. Their campaign ended with an unexpected 2-1 defeat to rank outsiders Jamaica.

Four years later, Japan co-hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup with South Korea. Despite being held to a 2-2 draw by Belgium in their opening game, the Japanese team advanced to the second round with a 1-0 win over Russia and a 2-0 victory against Tunisia. However, they subsequently exited the tournament during in the Last 16 stages, after losing 1-0 to eventual third-place finishers Turkey.

In Germany in 2006, Japan failed to advance to the knockout stages after finishing group play without a win, losing to Australia 1-3, drawing Croatia 0-0 and losing to Brazil 1-4.

Coach: Takeshi Okada

Back for his second stint for Japan after leading the country in the 1998 World Cup in France, 53-year-old Takeshi Okada will once again be given the task of leading the Japanese to the World Cup in South Africa in 2010. Okada, who took over the Japanese hotseat after coach Ivica Osim suffered a stroke in 2007, easily qualified Japan for the 2010 World Cup and will be hoping his magic wand does not lose its magic in South Africa.

Captain: Yuji Nakazawa

Yuji Nakazawa, or 'the Bomber', as he is affectionately known in Japan will once again be the rock at the centre of the Japanese defence. Nakazawa is not only rock solid at the back for Japan, he also scores some goals for his team and Japan will once again look up to him to give them directions.

Star player: Shunsuke Nakamura

Nakamura, the former Glasgow Celtic star who is now playing for Spain's Espanyol, is one of the most prominent and successful Asian players to have played in Europe. He will no doubt be the player to watch not only for his skill but for his free kick-taking abilities as well.