Responding to six questions at a news conference on the eve of the defending champions semifinal with long-time rivals Saudi Arabia, the gruff 66-year-old Bosnian jabbed at all the journalists who asked them.

Asked how Japan will deal with the Saudis after struggling past a physically stronger Australia in the quarterfinals, Osim sniped back: "Shall I substitute all my players because our opponents have changed?"

He said the coach would be responsible if he uses the same players, who are tired, and his side loses.

"If we lose with substituted players, it is the coach who is wrong for making the decision to substitute," he said.

"If we lose tomorrow, who is to blame? You don't have to look around because he'll be sitting here. It's the coach who takes all the responsibility."

Japan and Saudi Arabia are both aiming for a record fourth Asian Cup. The Blue Samurai, chasing a third straight title, beat the Gulf side in the final in 1992 and 2000.

Has the historical record anything to do with the morale of the players, Osim was asked?

"You'd better ask about the future, particularly tomorrow's match, rather than history," said Osim, who led the former Yugoslavia to the 1990 World Cup quarterfinals despite difficulty in holding together a multiracial side.

Then, asked about the next game, he snapped back: "But when we talk about the future, we should not forget the past."

Osim also criticised another journalist for asking which side he preferred to meet in the final -- Iraq or South Korea. He said such a question was "regrettable" at a time when Japan were focused on the immenent match.

In earlier exchanges with media, he openly called some questions "not good." "Don't go looking for an unborn rabbit in the woods," he said when asked if Japan wanted to finish at the top of their group so that they could avoid travelling to other venues in the tournament.

But his often pithy remarks have won the hearts of many Japanese since he arrived in Japan in 2003 to coach a hopeless J-League side into title contention.

A collection of his quotations, entitled "The Words of Osim," has been on the bestseller list in Japan since he became national coach after the World Cup last year.