Mick McCarthy has warned the Republic of Ireland’s Group E opponents not to underestimate the threat posed by his team.
McCarthy, currently visiting Ireland's World Cup base in Chiba on the outskirts of Tokyo, maintained he is confident of making it through to the knock-out stages.
"Ireland qualified from a group with Portugal and Holland so we should be regarded as a threat. If fully fit I fancy our chances of beating anyone," McCarthy told reporters.
But McCarthy also sounded a note of warning to his own players.
"Germany might have lost 5-1 to England but they are still the best team in the group for me. Like I say, we may have qualified for three World Cups, but Germany have won three World Cups," he said.
McCarthy, who has seen his side lose just once in their last 18 matches, is also aware of the danger posed by African Nations champions Cameroon.
"Cameroon have just won the African Nations Cup again, but it is a different proposition playing against a European side," he said.
"I wouldn't imagine that anybody in Group E is happy about playing Ireland at the moment."
McCarthy confirmed that Ireland would arrive in Japan on May 18th, two days after a friendly against Nigeria at Lansdowne Road, in order for the players to acclimatise to the humid conditions in the Far East.
"We will train in the heat and humidity and make sure the players rehydrate before matches," he said.
Ireland will also play a warm-up match against J-League side Sanfrecce Hiroshima on May 25th, seven days before their Group E opener against Cameroon in Niigata, McCarthy said.