J.League pleases coach Ardiles

FORMER Argentine midfielder Ossie Ardiles believes Japan can be a real force in international football over the next six years.

Ardiles is impressed with the organisation of the J.League which he has become a part of since joining Shimizu S-Pulse last month as coach.

'I'm quite impressed with the set-up in Japan,' said the former World Cup star, who was speaking at his team's first training session at the Hong Kong Sports Institute yesterday.

'Japan are currently undergoing a second revolution with the set-up of the J.League. They have a very good operation and I see Japan becoming a major force in world soccer in the next six years. It's a question of time,' said the former Tottenham Hotspur manager, who acknowledged Japan are fighting to become hosts of the 2002 World Cup.

'Before I came to Japan, I didn't think the J.League would be so organised and efficient. But I saw it for myself when I arrived there last month,' he said.

Ardiles, who helped Argentina win the World Cup in 1978 and has played in England and France, said he doesn't miss English football at all. He said he would like to concentrate all his energy towards his new team, to which he has been contracted for a year.