Japan coach Zico on Monday drew a curtain on his career as head coach of the national squad by defending his judgment in his team's crucial first match against Australia in the World Cup.

Making its third straight World Cup appearance, Japan failed to reach the knockout round, finishing at the bottom of Group F after suffering a 3-1 loss to Australia, being held to a scoreless tie with Croatia and losing 4-1 to Brazil.

After the Brazil game, reports began circulating that Zico would be retiring as head coach. Monday's press conference was billed as his final one in that position, though it was unclear if the decision to quit came from him or the Japan Football Association.

Zico came under much criticism for his unwillingness to change the team during Japan's World Cup campaign in Germany. Those he did make -- such as sending in midfielder Shinji Ono when the score stood at 1-1 in the Australia match -- were admonished as coming too late.

But at the Tokyo news conference Monday, Zico was adamant that his choices were the right ones.

"Based on my experience, I judged that we would be able to win even though the result turned out otherwise," Zico said. "I think the choices I made were proper at the time."

After leading 1-0 for the first 84 minutes in that match, Japan gave up three quick goals and never recovered.

Zico, who returned to Japan on Saturday with many members of the squad, said he felt "happiness" when Japan qualified as one of the 32 teams to play in Germany.

"I have nothing to rue or feel ashamed about in what I did, as I devoted my whole heart and soul to the job," he said.

The Brazilian-born coach said the Japanese squad made "steady growth" under his direction over the past four years. His legacy, Zico said, was a team that "can play confidently no matter how strong their opponent might be."

JFA President Saburo Kawabuchi _ who hand-picked Zico to lead Japan despite his lack of coaching experience _ apologized at the press conference for failing to meet the expectations of the Japanese people.

"In the world of sports, being praised for success and castigated for failure is only natural," Kawabuchi said. He added that the Japanese soccer world had much to learn from Zico and needed to put it into practice.

Zico, who has said he hopes to land a coaching job in Europe, said he will return and work in Rio de Janeiro "for the time being."

The JFA has already been in discussions with Ivica Osim _ currently coaching in the Japan Professional Football League _ to take over the national team, according to numerous media reports.