AFP - Former Japan coach Ivica Osim has urged the Blue Samurai to believe they can become a surprise package at next year's World Cup in South Africa.

Japanese media have warned that it will be tough for Japan, 43rd in the world rankings, to beat World Cup Group E opponents who are all ranked higher -- the Netherlands (3rd), Cameroon (11th) and Denmark (26th).

"Frankly speaking, it's not an easy group," the Bosnian told Japanese media after the World Cup draw in Cape Town on Friday.

"You have to 'trick' yourself into building confidence in the team that you can win. It will be a surprise if Japan beat any of those opponents."

Osim, who guided the former Yugoslavia to the 1990 World Cup quarter-finals, became Japan's national coach after the country's exit from Germany 2006 when they lost to Brazil and Australia and drew with Croatia.

He suffered a serious stroke in late 2007 and handed his coaching job to home-grown Takeshi Okada, who has set an ambitious goal of a top-four spot in the finals.

"It cannot be said that Japan are weaker than Cameroon and Denmark, apart from the Netherlands," said Osim, 68. "I want the players to believe in their ability. The World Cup will be a chance for them to show the world how far they have come."

Japan, former three-time Asian champions noted for their lack of frontline firepower, lost to the Netherlands 3-0 away in their first ever encounter in September.

Osim tried to build Japan's national team on their strengths, such as agility and collective unity, despite physical shortcomings. He urged his charges to run harder and take more risks.

"All the three teams excel Japan in height and weight. But teams with big players struggle against mobile and aggressive teams," Osim said. "Japan must think what their strong points are."

Japan have never made it past the group stage in three previous attempts since their winless debut in 1998 under Okada.

But Okada has stuck to his aim of a semi-final berth in South Africa after finishing second behind Australia in their Asian qualifying group.

"Japan bound for first-round exit," read a front-page headline in the weekend edition of the Nikkan Gendai tabloid, which called Okada's goal "too carefree."

Osim said the World Cup first round appeared headed for physical battles.

The influential newspaper Asahi Shimbun commented on Sunday: "We want to see where Japan can find a way out with their excellence in techniques, work rate and agility."