NIIGATA -- Japan manager Philippe Troussier is asking for better decision-making, strong leadership and commitment to the game from each of his players in the Confederations Cup, which begins Group B action Thursday in Japan.

"In this tournament, I'd like to see individual decisions and challenge each one of our players," Troussier said in a press conference at a Niigata hotel. "An opening game is particularly tough, maybe the hardest in a tournament."

Troussier said that Canada, Japan's first opponent, is physically stronger than the Japanese and has brought most of its players who play in Europe, such as West Ham goalkeeper Craig Forrest and midfielder Paul Stalteri of Werder Bremen.

"I'd like to see how our players solve this kind of physical aspect of the game," he noted. "But we have a great advantage of playing at home and we are expecting great support from our fans. Tactically, we have to take an offensive risk and play aggressively. Our group is very excited."

When asked about naming a regular captain for his team, which Troussier doesn't currently have, the French boss reacted in frustration and stressed the importance of each of his players becoming a leader for the team instead of appointing one fixed, regular captain. He said he wants them all to show responsibility and commitment to the game.

"We need a captain for an administrative role only. But what's the meaning of captain? The man with an armband can talk to the officials or the press. But if one makes a mistake on the field, it's not only a captain but all the others who have to point it out," Troussier said.

Meanwhile, Canada manager Holger Osieck, who led his team its first major title success at the Gold Cup in 2000, said he wants to take this opportunity to display the potential of the Canadian team.

"We cannot say much about winning the tournament, as we are rather an outsider. But we'd like to show what we can do to the fans in the tournament. We gel together well with good team spirit and we're physically strong," Osieck said after his team's training session in Niigata.

The former Urawa Reds manager said of Japan: "They have good individual players and can play as a unit. They have speed and skill and have improved tactically."

Asked if his experience in the J. League will give him any advantage, the German coach replied: "The J. League and the national team are two pairs of shoes and at different levels. You'll see it."

The Japan-Canada game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. at Big Swan Niigata Stadium.