LONG FORM: Zico backs Japan to qualify for Qatar 2022

Football legend Zico expressed confidence in Japan qualifying for next year's FIFA World Cup.

The Samurai Blue, who have qualified for every edition of the World Cup since 1998, had a disastrous start to their final round campaign after losing two of their first three matches in the final round of qualifiers.

Japan are currently second in Group B, four points behind Saudi Arabia with four matches to play.

The 68-year-old led Japan to the 2006 World Cup and played in three editions (1978, 1982 and 1986).

The last professional team Zico played for was Kashima Antlers as Japan launched the J.League back in 1993. Zico has been involved with the Antlers in various capacities. The Antlers are the most successful team in J1 with eight league titles and they won the AFC Champions League in 2018.