The World Cup ended Sunday night with Brazil claiming its fifth World Cup title following a monthlong soccer festival which has seen quite a few surprises, including first-round exits by France and Argentina and cohost South Korea's fine run into the semifinals.
However, one issue still hovers in the minds of most Japanese soccer fans -- Japan coach Philippe Troussier's mysterious team selection in his side's 1-0 loss to Turkey in the second round on June 18.
Troussier had prepared well for the World Cup over the last three years and a half and the cohost played well in the first round -- earning a 2-2 draw with Belgium for its first World Cup point, a 1-0 win over Russia for its first World Cup victory and a 2-0 win over Tunisia -- collecting seven points and qualifying for the second round for the first time.