(Reuters) - Japan's hopes of advancing to the second round of the World Cup in Brazil rely on manager Alberto Zaccheroni's ability to tighten up the side's talented-yet-leaky defence, according to former Iran boss Afshin Ghotbi.
Japan's 2-2 draw with Netherlands followed by a 3-2 win over Belgium in November friendlies have convinced Ghotbi that the Blue Samurai are a force to be reckoned with going forward but that goal threat is hampered by a lack of solidity at the back.
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