Saburo Kawabuchi has never been one to mince words.

So take it from the former Japan Football Association president and the inaugural J. League chairman, the current Japan team are the best in the nation's history.

"This team is strong, make no mistake," Kawabuchi said in an interview with Kyodo News ahead of Thursday's squad announcement for the March 26 World Cup qualifier away to Jordan. "I think the team in Germany were more talented than the team in South Africa."