PEDRO JUAN CABALLERO. Paraguay. July 6: Japan coach Philippe Troussier said Monday he thought the experience of playing in the Copa America would stand his team in good stead when they co-host the 2002 World Cup with Korea, reports AFP.

The Frenchman remained upbeat even though Japan had finished bottom of group A with a 1 -1 draw in their last match with Bolivia - also eliminated -giving them their only point of the campaign.

Troussier said: "The Copa is over for us and I think the result tonight justifies our elimination."

The Frenchman pointed out his team had not had much Ereparation but admitted more ad been expected from Japan, who were invited to compete as guests in the South American championships.

Troussier. who coached South Africa in last year's World Cup. was the subject of criticism by the Japanese press even before the Copa America and his team's poor performances here will not ease the pressure on the man charged with turning Japan into a credible world force by the 2002 World Cup.