JOE OZAKI, left, and Seve Ballesteroes with the Royal Trophy in front of the Amata Spring clubhouse yesterday.

But they were immediately met with a show of defiance from Japanese star Toru Taniguchi, who said menacingly: "I want to beat the Europeans very badly, that is why I am here. After they beat the Americans so convincingly in the Ryder Cup, a victory against them would be even more satisfying."

Taniguchi, who flew in with fellow Japanese golfer Tetsuji Hiratsuka and SK Ho of South Korea radiated confidence as he looked forward to his Royal Trophy debut.

He added: "I watched some of the highlights of the first Royal Trophy on television, and kept wishing I could be part of it. Now that it has worked out that way, I want to bring my best golf and help the team to win."

Asian captain Joe Ozaki will be delighted that his players do not seem overawed by the prospect of facing a European line-up that includes five of the golfers who put the Americans to the sword in such devastating fashion at the K Club in September.

Clarke and Westwood teamed up to win both their four-ball matches as Europe swept to a record-equalling 18-½ to 9-½ victory over the US, and both triumphed in the singles as well.

Westwood played in all five rounds at the K Club and was unbeaten for the second time in a row but it is his almost telepathic understanding with Clarke that will give Ozaki most food for thought before the Royal Trophy tees off on Friday.

Clarke said: "I think the reasons Lee and I are so hard to beat are that we have total respect for each other's games, and we get on so well together. "We' ve practically grown up together, we've travelled the world together and we've been on five Ryder Cup teams together, winning four of them.

"Every great partnership takes time because you need to develop an understanding as well an appreciation of what your partner is capable of in any given situation," added the two-time World Championship title winner.

"It was that way with Seve Ballesteros and Jose Marie Olazabal and I definitely think Lee and I have grown stronger from being paired up so often in the past. Plus we're both very determined competitors, and we're not here to muck about -we're here to win this championship and keep the European run going," said Clarke who was undefeated in his three matches at the Ryder Cup last September.

Westwood echoed his partner's sentiments, proving that they think alike as well as play the game in the same determined spirit.

He said: "The thing that has helped us a lot is that we have learned to walk that tightrope between necessary risk-taking and making sure you do not put your partner under too much pressure. Ozaki recognises the Europeans have a big advantage in terms of experience.

But Ho, a member of the Asian team beaten 9-7 in the first Royal Trophy believed that will be nullified by home advantage and the fact that there will be less pressure than there was in the historic first match-up.

Ho explained: "I feel like I got to know the golf course - and how to play it - by the end of the first Royal Trophy and I expect to play a lot better this time.

"Nerves were also a problem last year because it is such a big thing to play for your continent. It is still a great honour to be selected again, but perhaps I can relax a little more now and let my game flow.

"The Asian players should have a big advantage as the home team with the crowds supporting us and I hope we can make it count after such a close match last year," added the multi-time title winner in the Japan Tour.