Wednesday, 14 April 2010 13:14
Japan's coach, Takeshi Okada, has ordered his players to use oxygen masks ahead of the World Cup to build up their high-altitude resistance, much like what Fabio Capello is doing with the England team.
Okada, whose team play two of their Group E games at more than 1,000 metres above sea level, is to commit his players to using the masks for an hour a day while tents may be used for some of the players at home.
Oxygen tents are said to benefit players in many ways but are mostly used by footballers when recuperating from injury but many countries are now using them to help acclimatise their players for high altitude.
Takeshi Okada
After the squad is named I will get the players to use oxygen masks in small doses for an hour a day. They can use the tanks while watching TV.
Ahead of the World Cup Japan have friendly matches planned against South Korea, England, Austria and Ivory Coast.
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Final World Cup 2010 Group Tables
A
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Uruguay |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 7 |
 Mexico |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
 South Africa |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -2 | 4 |
 France |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -3 | 1 |
B
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Argentina |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 9 |
 South Korea |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 4 |
 Greece |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -3 | 3 |
 Nigeria |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -2 | 1 |
C
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 United States |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
 England |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
 Slovenia |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
 Algeria |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -3 | 1 |
D
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Germany |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
 Ghana |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
 Australia |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -3 | 4 |
 Serbia |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -1 | 3 |
E
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Netherlands |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 9 |
 Japan |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
 Denmark |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -3 | 3 |
 Cameroon |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
F
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Paraguay |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
 Slovakia |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 4 |
 New Zealand |
3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
 Italy |
3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -1 | 2 |
G
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Brazil |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7 |
 Portugal |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 5 |
 Ivory Coast |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
 Korea DPR |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -11 | 0 |
H
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Spain |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
 Chile |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
 Switzerland |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
 Honduras |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -3 | 1 |
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Make the most of your trip to South Africa for the World Cup and make sure you visit the FCO Be on the Ball website for advice, top tips and information that will help you prepare for a successful trip.