Japan's lucky streak this year never once looked like running out as they secured their place in the final round of Asian World Cup qualifiers on Wednesday.
Takayuki Suzuki's 52nd-minute strike gave Japan a 1-0 win away to Oman that sent the Asian champions into next year's final round of 2006 qualifiers.
Japan have earned a reputation for luck this year after retaining the Asian Cup in controversial circumstances.
They needed a penalty shootout to overcome Jordan in the quarter-finals, but only after persuading the referee to change ends after missing their first two kicks.
If the backlash from that controversy was furious, it was nothing compared to what happened in the final when Japan beat hosts China 3-1 after three fiercely-contested goals.
On Wednesday, Japan soaked up early pressure from the home side and struck on the counter seven minutes after halftime.
Italy-based midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura found space to whip in a cross from the left and Suzuki climbed to power a header past Oman goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi.
"We knew they would come at us in the first half but we defended well," said Suzuki. "They got a bit tired in the second half and to score at that time sort of killed them off."
RESILIENT JAPAN
Japan have proved nothing if not resilient under Brazilian Zico, who has struggled to get his team to exhibit the same flair they showed under ex-coach Philippe Troussier.
The Frenchman was often involved in training ground bust-ups with his players, but that friction transformed a Japan team that had hitherto achieved little of note outside Asia.
Japan reached the 2001 Confederations Cup final and the second round of the 2002 World Cup under Troussier.
Zico prefers a more laissez-faire approach with the result that Japan have become less adventurous -- an irony given Zico's standing as one of the most gifted players ever.
Despite their Asian Cup success in August, Japan have yet to demonstrate under Zico that they can become a force on the world stage.
They are unlikely to overshadow South Korea's amazing run to the 2002 World Cup semi-finals anytime soon.
Japan's defensive solidity and mental strength are fast becoming legendary under Zico's leadership and they should qualify for the 2006 World Cup.
But they will need to lose their dour streak and show more urgency and creativity in attack if they are to make any sort of impact in Germany.
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