Dutch legend Edgar Davids believes Japan can spring a surprise at this summer's World Cup in Brazil, calling on the likes of Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa to inspire a future generation of players watching at home.
Davids, who reached the semifinals of the 1998 World Cup with the Netherlands and won 74 caps for his country, was in Tokyo on Friday in his role as ambassador for former team Juventus alongside club president Andrea Agnelli.
Davids did not play in the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea after the Netherlands failed to qualify, but the 40-year-old, known as "the Pitbull" in his playing days for his ferocious, all-action style, believes Japan can emulate the Koreans' run to the semifinals of that tournament if luck goes its way in Brazil.