As captain, Kawaguchi is under enormous pressure to put a disappointing season behind him and rally Japan towards a successful World Cup.

Everything seemed to be going his way when he clinched a dream move to England with First Division Portsmouth earlier this season.

But he struggled at Fratton Park and a string of erratic performances and crucial mistakes led to him losing his place to veteran Dave Beasant.

Nevertheless, playing in England may well have toughened him up both physically and mentally.

He has a strong enough character to learn from his mistakes and will be proud to be wearing the skipper's armband this summer.