About 500 Japanese football fans staged a rally in support of Japan coach and legendary Brazilian Zico who has been accused by critics of failing to build on the team's 2002 World Cup display.
"Our main aim is to let the coach know that he has many supporters behind him," Tohru Kawatsu, who organised the rally at Kashima Stadium in Kashima, northeast of Tokyo, told the Kyodo news agency.
The stadium is home to Kashima Antlers, a J-League club which Zico helped develop first as a playmaker and then a technical director until he took over from Frenchman Philippe Troussier as Japan coach after the 2002 World Cup.
Only two weeks ago, about 60 football fans demonstrated through the streets of Tokyo to demand Zico's dismissal after Japan narrowly beat Oman 1-0 with a goal in the final minute of injury time, in their opening World Cup qualifier.
They marched from the National Stadium to a downtown building, housing the Japanese Football Association, and handed a letter to an association executive, demanding that Zico be sacked.
But Kawatsu said supporters had collected more than 10,000 signatures to endorse the Brazilian's job.
Zico, who played for Brazil in the 1978, 1982 and 1986 World Cups, told reporters on return from one of his frequent home trips: "I have always done my job in a solid manner, risking all I have."
"If a majority of the people want me out, I will not hang on to my post."
The victory over Oman has improved Japan's international-A record under Zico to nine wins, six losses and six draws. Japan have not lost in their last nine matches and have not conceded a goal in seven straight matches.
But his critics say that Zico has failed to improve Japan's firepower and only benefits from a solid defence installed under Troussier, who now coaches oil-rich Qatar. http://servihoo.com/channels/kinews/v3news_details.php?id=34770&CategoryID=48
