FOOTBALL: EASTERN PROMISE IS FADING IN JAPAN.

Byline: JOHN MORGAN

THIS time last year Japan was gripped by World Cup fever - new stadiums filled to capacity and the national team reaching the second round of the tournament.

Fast forward 12 months though and Japan are struggling for results, the futuristic stadiums of the 2002 World Cup are heavily in debt and the only David Beckham in town is three metres tall and made of chocolate.

The feel-good factor from co-hosting the first Asian World Cup with South Korea has all but gone.

Beckham-mania may be alive and kicking in Japan - where they have sculpted a giant chocolate statue of the England captain - but it has failed to lift the gloom for Brazilian national boss Zico.

The former Samba star has won just twice in 10 games since taking over as coach after the World Cup.

The pressure increased on Zico after a disappointing early exit from the Confederations Cup this month which prompted chants of "Zico out" from a section of Japanese fans.

Predecessor Philippe Troussier had frequent bust-ups with his players and bickered constantly with Japanese officials - but he proved his detractors wrong by guiding Japan to the last 16 of the World Cup.

Zico changed Troussier's 3-5-_-2 formation to a 4-4-2 line-up which has relied on Europe-based midfielders Hidetoshi Nakata, Shunsuke Nakamura and injury prone Shinji Ono.

So far the new system has failed to yield results - despite a much-improved performance in the 2-1 defeat by France at the Confederations Cup.

"We have to go back to basics," said Zico, whose team had been beaten 1-0 by South Korea and thrashed 4-1 by Argentina in the build-up to the recent tournament in France.

"We need to be aware that one mistake can cost you at this level. Otherwise we can forget about the next tournament too."

Japanese tax payers, meanwhile, have more pressing concerns since they could be counting the cost of the World Cup until 2030.

Eight of the 10 stadiums used for matches in Japan face combined losses of over $20 million in the current year which began in April, while there are still outstanding debts of some $17 million from ground construction.

Stadium Yokohama, venue for the World Cup final, is worst off with losses estimated at $4.5 million as it struggles to meet annual operating costs of $6.7 million.

The World Cup has also had little effect on the J-League's attendances three months into the 2003 season.

Crowds continue to average just below 17,000.

CAPTION(S):

GREAT HOSTS: Japan reached last 16 of World Cup; HAPPIER TIMES: Zico is now struggling as Japan coach