As a player, Zico had few peers. But as Japan manager, the man also known as Arthur Antunes Coimbra has yet to truly convince.

With Flamengo, Udinese and Brazil, Zico captured the imagination of millions around the world with his feints, flicks and curling free-kicks.

But for all his talent he - and the rest of the men in yellow who represented the game's most successful nation at the time - were never quite capable of matching the achievements of his illustrious predecessors.

Two decades on, Zico has gone from being a player of class and distinction to a coach who, more than three years into his stint at the helm of the Japan national team, has still to prove himself capable at the highest level.

After the tempestuous tenure of Frenchman Philippe Troussier, whose abrasive nature ruffled the feathers of his players and the staid administrators within the Japan Football Association, the desire for a more amenable figure was strongly felt within the corridors of power in Tokyo.

So, at the behest of newly-appointed federation president Saburo Kawabuchi - who had endured a long running battle with Troussier during his four-year stint - Zico was given the nod.

The attraction was clear from the outset as Zico, unlike his predecessor, understood Japanese football - and, crucially, the Japanese mindset - better than most.

The Brazilian's links to Japanese football run deep. He was one of the pioneers of professional football in the nation in the early 1990s, coming out of retirement to play for Sumitomo Metals in the Japan Soccer League, the forerunner to the J League.

Sumitomo Metals became Kashima Antlers upon the birth of the J League in 1993 and Zico continued to play until the end of the league's second season, when he hung up his boots and took up a position as the club's technical director.

Zico's commitments to Kashima, however, did not tie him down. He took up a post as technical co-ordinator with Brazil in their ill-fated defence of the World Cup trophy in France in 1998, worked on the nation's bid for the 2006 World Cup and opened his own football academy in Rio de Janeiro.

But for all his experience, Zico's appointment as Japan boss was a risk. Despite having played a key role in the development of Antlers into one of the J League's leading clubs, the former midfielder had never worked as a full-time coach on anything other than an interim basis.

Japan's new era started slowly, with only two wins - against arch-rivals South Korea and minnows New Zealand - in the first nine matches with Zico at the helm as the Brazilian insisted on implementing a policy which saw him field all of his most creative players.

The pressure continued to mount throughout 2003 as the Japanese lost out to the South Koreans in the inaugural East Asian championships and by the time 2004 arrived the Brazilian's record of just six wins in 17 games in his first 18 months in charge had many in Japan questioning his appointment.

But the new year brought with it a turn in fortunes for Zico, and in particular Japan's tour of Europe that summer.

After narrow victories over Asian minnows Oman and Singapore in the first round of qualifying for the World Cup, Japan defeated the Czech Republic - one of the favourites for glory at Euro 2004 - and Iceland before holding England to a 1-1 draw at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Those results gave the Japanese a much-needed boost going into their defence of the Asian Cup in China and, despite yet more narrow wins achieved in fortuitous circumstances, Zico emulated Troussier by winning the continental title as Japan defeated hosts China 3-1 in the final.

By this stage Zico had come closer to achieving a balance between his J League-based players and those building their careers overseas while also experimenting with various formations.

The year ended with Japan progressing to the second phase of Asia's World Cup qualifying tournament and, after riding out the majority of the problems, Zico's position was guaranteed with an equally successful 2005.

Despite yet more problems against Asian opposition, Japan progressed to their third World Cup in a row by finishing top of Group B in the continent's qualifying group ahead of Iran.

And their record of excelling against stronger opposition continued with victory over European champions Greece and a 2-2 draw with Brazil at the Confederations Cup raising spirits a year ahead of the World Cup.

But despite these results, questions still remain over whether Zico has the ability and the experience as a coach to build upon Japan's achievements as co-hosts in 2002.