Rivals fear Japan coach Osim is in state of trauma

HANOI, July 11 (Reuters) Tormented, irritated and looking increasingly haggard, Japan coach Ivica Osim's frequent outbursts at his players have prompted concern among his Asian Cup rivals.

So vitriolic was the Bosnian's accusation that Japan were a ''bunch of amateurs'' after their opening 1-1 draw with Qatar that opposition coaches in Group B fear for his stress levels.

Qatar coach Dzemaludin Musovic, a good friend of Osim's and his assistant when he led Yugoslavia to the 1990 World Cup quarter-finals, called the pressure on Osim ''abnormal.'' ''For an experienced team like Japan to concede a last-minute goal like they did against Qatar would make you nervous,'' he told reporters today.

''I think Osim's reaction was normal. The pressure is perhaps abnormal.'' United Arab Emirates coach Bruno Metsu also said that the 66-year-old Osim was suffering under the pressure to deliver a third straight Asian Cup title for Japan.

''Drawing their opening game has put them in a difficult position,'' the Frenchman said. ''There is enormous psychological pressure on Osim and it's beginning to get stressful.'' Osim has been his own man since taking the Japan job following their meek exit from last year's World Cup in Germany.

But even by his standards, Monday's furious attack on his players for conceding a late equaliser to Qatar was little short of astonishing, reducing his interpreter to floods of tears.

Japan face the Emirates on Friday in a crunch game in Hanoi when Metsu will be looking to add to Osim's woes after his side's 2-0 defeat by co-hosts Vietnam in their opening game.

REUTERS BJR PM2043