Japan, desparate for their first goal and first win to crown their debut in the World Cup finals, have vowed to play attacking football against Jamaica on Friday.

Coach Takeshi Okada said he would tinker with his previous system, which had focused on a tight three-back defence but lacked firepower resulting in narrow 1-0 losses to two-time champions Argentina and Croatia. " I will change the positions and make it a little more offensive, " he said after Japan wound up their training at their base camp here. " I am trying to make everyone think about our offensive side to score a goal. " But the only change is expected to see Norio Omura recalled for the suspended defender Eisuke Nakanishi.

But Jamaica's Brazilian coach Rene Simoes refused to be downcast after losing 3-1 to Crotaia and 5-0 to Argentina. " Just being here was great for Jamaica and if we take the chances we've been making we should finish on a high note. "

Okada did not elaborate but he could possibly pull one of his five midfielders closer to the defenders and allow playmaker Hidetoshi Nakata and Hiroshi Nanami a freer rein supporting the attack. Shoji Jo, the new target man who forced Kazu Miura, Asia's best known footballer, out of the World Cup squad, said he was raring to end his scoring drought over nine internationals. " It's going to be quite an exciting match, " said the 23-year-old Yokohama Marinos striker. "Jamaica cannot come out as hard as Argentina and Croatia. We are powerful enough to stop them, " he said. " I believe Jamaica will slip up somewhere and that's when we go for it. "

However, Jamaica, studded with implants from Britain, have already gone one-up on Japan. The bubbly Reggae Boyza lost two games as well but managed to score a goal with Wimbledon midfielder Robbie Earle heading home in the 3-1 defeat by Croatia.

Left back Hideki Soma said Japan's early goal would force Jamaica to give up as they did in their 5-0 humiliation at the hands of Argentina on Sunday. " We haven't done what we aimed to do. I want to win the last match," said Soma, one of Brazil legend Zico's players at Kashima Antlers. He has scored two goals in Japan's winless streak of eight internationals-six losses and two draws.

Earle, who scored Jamaica's first goal in a World Cup finals against Croatia last week, will very likely pull on the Jamaican jersey for the last time against Japan when he replaces the suspended Darryll Powell. The Derby County player was sent off against in 5-0 defeat to Argentina. The 33-year-old Wimbledon ace has decided to call an end to his brief but action-packed foray in international football. " It would be nice to sign off against Japan and get a win. But whatever happens, no one can take that goal away from me, " he said.

© - AFP - 1998