NAGANO -- Despite a stellar performance by his team at last weekend's Nagano Cup tournament, Japan coach Mark Mahon knows it will take a strong team effort for his squad to qualify for the ice hockey tournament at the 2006 Winter Olympics.

Japan, ranked 15th in the world, is in Group A along with Denmark, Norway and No. 9 Switzerland, and will open the final Olympic qualifying tournament on Feb. 10 against the host team at Kloten, Switzerland.

Only the top team will earn a berth for Turin and the Canadian-born coach is taking a realistic approach to his team's chances.