TOKYO (AP):

BIDDING FOR for a third consecutive title, and to become the first four-time continental champions, Japan enter the Asian Cup recognising that winning again has become a lot more difficult.

Japan won the Asian Cup in 2000 by edging then defending champions Saudi Arabia 1-0 at Lebanon, and defended the title in 2004 with a 3-1 win over the hosts, China.

With Australia joining the tournament for the first time, Japan could face a bigger challenge repeating.

It was just over a year ago that Japan lost to Australia in their first match of the 2006 World Cup, conceding three goals from the 84th minute of a 3-1 loss.

The collapse in Kaiserslautern pretty much ended Japan's hopes of advancing beyond the first round in Germany and the team bowed out after a draw with Croatia and a loss to Brazil.

But Ivica Osim, who replaced Zico as Japan coach after the World Cup, said he welcomed the addition of the Socceroos to the Asian Cup.

"I think it's good for Asian football," Osim said. "It's good for Australia because they are in a stronger group and it's good for Asian countries because they will be competing against many talented players who play in Europe."

Japan are in a select band of three-time champions, and are aiming to emulate Iran's three consecutive titles from 1968.

Iran's 1972 title in Thailand was wedged between triumphs at home in 1968 - when the tournament was still in round-robin format - and '76.

Saudi Arabia also have three titles; their hopes of three in a row crashed to Japan in the 1992 final. The Saudis have won three of the past six tournaments, and reached five finals.

The Japanese have dominated recent editions, winning three of the last four tournaments.

This time, Osim named a provisional 30-man roster, which includes Europe-based stars Naohiro Takahara and Shunsuke Nakamura.