2011 Copa America Preview: What To Expect from Japan

Although it was finally announced that Japan will in fact be competing in the Copa America this summer, there’s no certainty as to which Japan fans can expect to see.

In wake of the devastating Earthquake a month ago, soccer seemed to be the last thing on the nation’s mind. Up until April 15, all indications were that Spain, or possibly Costa Rica, would replace the recent Asian Cup champions to round up Group A of the tournament. The Japan Football Association has since expressed their full commitment to the event despite numerous conflicts.

The J League, whose competitions were delayed for over a month following the Tsunami, has decided to make up lost time by playing through the month of July, originally scheduled for break.

With matches to be in full swing at the same time as Copa America, many J League clubs have expressed adamant disapproval in loaning out key players for national team duties. As talks for compromise continue, a rumor has emerged that each club might agree to send a single U-22 player.

If ever the JNT needed its international players it is now, although that was always going to be an issue. Being how Japan does not belong to the CONMEBOL, the confederation hosting Copa America, foreign clubs are not required to loan out their Japanese international candidates.

At the Asian Cup, Shinji Kagawa, who plays his club football for German outfit Borussia Dortmund, sustained an injury that has kept him off the field for almost four months and counting. Fitness is always a huge concern for clubs when players travel with their countries—so much so that the Bundesliga, as a whole, might refuse a single player from being added to Japan’s Copa America roster.

Among the many other Japanese based in Bundesliga are: Atsuto Uchida, Hajime Hosogai, Shinji Okazaki and Makoto Hasebe. That’s four regulars and a captain.

A slew of other leagues appear to be taking a similar stance. Japan wouldn’t be the only ones to suffer. The Argentine Football Association, hosting Copa America for the first time since 1987, is sending countless pleas and requests to European clubs to release possible JNT players in hopes that the month-long event can be as competitive as possible.

In its current format, the Copa America usually featured Mexico and USA as invitees. In the 2007 edition the USA competed with a roster depleted of their preferred players who were obliged to foreign teams or a conflicting MLS schedule.

After the U.S. was eliminated in the first round with zero points, many fans and national teams alike considered the USA’s participation insulting, that they didn’t take the competition seriously. For whatever reason, Japan has taken USA’s place and there are expectations.

Most of the South American squads have acquired new coaches since 2010 World Cup Qualifiers and this tournament will be their only official testing before 2014 qualifications begin in October. Argentina, as the hosts, surely views a campaign anywhere short of a title match as a failure.

Brazil, who often sends mixed squads, will probably look to take advantage of the last official competition they face until hosting Confederations Cup in 2013; as hosts of the 2014 World Cup they will not play any qualifiers.

A strong Japanese squad could, potentially, make for the most entertaining Copa America in ages.

So who is Japan head coach Alberto Zaccheroni left with? Well, nothing’s decided just yet, but there are quite a few players who may come to prominence if worse comes to worst.

On-loan winger Ryo Miyaichi has been lauded for his recent performances with Feyenoord. Arsenal, his parent club, may lobby for his inclusion to the Copa America roster so as to fulfill national team duty required to gain a work permit for the Barclay’s Premier League. Takashi Usami, 2010 J League Rookie of the Year, might be eligible as a U-22 player.

While it doesn’t seem likely that fans will see an "A" squad Japan, nothing‘s official until rosters are announced on June 27.