Japan held to 0-0 draw by Zimbabwe

Things have gone from bad to worse to thoroughly miserable for Japan coach Takeshi Okada. Four straight friendly defeats prompted Okada to organise a hastily scheduled training match against Zimbabwe overnight, but even that failed to yield relief as the Samurai Blue were held to a scoreless draw by the 110th-ranked African minnows. Although the match was not listed as a full international, neither Catania striker Takayuki Morimoto, nor Shimizu S-Pulse star Shinji Okazaki managed to trouble the scorers, meaning that Japan has now scored just once in the past five matches. Okada has been under intense pressure following a string of dismal results, going so far as to tentatively offer his resignation to JFA President Motoaki Inukai following a 2-0 defeat to arch-rivals South Korea at Saitama Stadium. That offer was summarily rebuked, but many are now wondering about the wisdom of appointing a coach who has already experienced three straight losses at a World Cup finals - with Okada the man in charge for Japan's maiden World Cup campaign at France '98. Copyright © Mike Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com J. League News Tags World Cup Pens World Cup Posters World Cup football