Japan star predicts World Cup miracle

JAPAN will defy the odds and the sceptics and produce a miracle by maybe going further than even the quarterfinals at the World Cup, their talismanic AC Milan midfielder Keisuke Honda boldly predicted yesterday.

Honda, of whom much will be expected by the Japanese public, was unequivocal about his expectations for the "Blue Samurai" starting with them repeating their achievement from the 2010 finals in South Africa and progressing from their group.

The Japanese have a relatively weak group, having been drawn in Group C against Colombia, who will be missing their star striker Radamel Falcao, goal-shy Greece and talented but ageing Ivory Coast.

"Firstly, we can 100% get through our group," Honda said.

"After that anything can happen at a World Cup. We're good enough now to reach the quarterfinals." – AFP