IBUSUKI, Kagoshima Pref. -- Japan coach Philippe Troussier said Thursday that he has been satisfied with his team's first training camp for the World Cup.

"I'm really satisfied with this camp," Troussier said at an Ibusuki hotel on the fourth day of the five-day get-together. "I wanted to further improve the atmosphere of our team and I'm satisfied with the attitude of our players."

For this camp, the Frenchman called up a total of 41 domestic-based players as candidates for Japan's World Cup squad. Three of them -- Hiroshi Nanami of Jubilo Iwata, Atsuhiro Miura of Tokyo Verdy 1969 and Yoshiteru Yamashita of Avispa Fukuoka -- left the camp early with injuries. Nevertheless, Troussier said he was able to assess the tactical role of each player on the national team and work on the conditioning of his players.

Among the 41 players was Shimizu S-Pulse midfielder Alessandro "Alex" Santos, who attended a national team session for the first time since the Brazil-born player was granted Japanese citizenship.

"This is too soon to judge Alex but he was quick to get into the team and has done what I'd expected from him well," Troussier said of the newcomer. "I admit he has talent and ability, which he has proved by being named MVP (of the J. League in 2000). He can be an interesting 'card' for us as long as he can play following our (tactical) rules. Playing along the touchline on the left, he can add another option to our game."

Troussier also invited former French goalkeeper Bernard Lama to the Ibusuki camp in an attempt to inspire the young Japanese goalkeepers.

Lama, who played for France 44 times, said, "Coach Troussier asked me to pass on my experience to his goalkeepers. The Japanese goalkeepers have high skills and I have nothing to teach them to that extent. I am trying to teach them something more mental, such as the vision of a goalkeeper and his role on the team."