The team, now under Brazilian legend Zico, were humiliated in their crucial World Cup opener to Australia, with goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi giving up three goals in the final eight minutes to lose 3-1.

"It all went well until Kawaguchi made a small mistake. With a flick of the hand, the pack of cards came tumbling down," Troussier told a news conference in Tokyo.

"I am sure the first moments after the Australian goal were very tough. But the Japanese are not sufficiently armed to withstand moments that this high-level competition demands," the feisty Frenchman said.

"Asian players lack recognition in Europe and therefore lack the maturity and aggressiveness that are learnt by playing in major teams," he said.

But Troussier said that "playing in Europe will give them the opportunity to grow".

"With 80 percent of team players coming from European clubs, Japanese players will be better armed. Eighty percent of a team's performance depends on which clubs players play in.

"By being confronted by the difference, Japanese players will learn to be more individualistic in their decision-making and therefore more efficient," he said.

"At the same time, too much individuality and personal freedom might be detrimental to the Japanese team as a whole."

Japan face an uphill challenge as they are up against Croatia and title holders Brazil in the remaining matches of their group.

Troussier, who was notorious for his stubbornness while coaching Japan, indirectly criticized the approach of his successor Zico.

"There are two schools of training. The first school is one in which the management imposes certain attitudes that players need to adapt to. The second allows more individuality, as is the case with Zico's style of teaching.

"However, this is most suitable for teams of very high calibre such as Brazil, England, Germany, and France, where they deal with magnificent stars such as Ronaldinho. I think Japan fits the first school."