 Nyorai mberi kweiyi ndima - Mushure me1998 World Cup, muna Gumiguru 1998, Oku akasarudzwa timu yenyika yeJapan nemaneja mutsva Philippe Troussier. Musi waGumiguru 28, akatanga kuJapan achipesana neEjipitori. Akatamba mu1999 Copa América uye 2000 Asian Cup. Pa2000 Asian Cup, akatamba mitambo mina uye Japan yakakunda mukombe. Zvisinei haana kusarudzwa muJapan nokuda kwe2002 World Cup. Muna 2003, akasarudzwa kuJapan kekutanga mumakore maviri nemaneja Zico. Akatambawo pa 2003 Confederations Cup. Akatamba mitambo 26 uye akarova zvibodzwa zviviri zveJapan kusvika 2004. 