World Cup 2010 Soccer News - japan

'Hara's Heroes' hint at 'Zac Japan' to come

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 03:31:16 +0000

In the end, interim Japan coach Hiromi Hara's greatest concern was whether it might be too hot to wear a tie on the touchline. The former Urawa Reds and FC Tokyo coach and current Japan Football Association technical director ultimately opted for a snappy grey number, and he had every reason to be relaxed going into Japan's Kirin Cup clash with Paraguay at a sold-out Nissan Stadium in Yokohama. Hara took charge on a caretaker basis for the two-match series against Paraguay and Guatemala, however Alberto Zaccheroni was the real star of the show after it was revealed late last month that he would take over as Japan's new coach. Visa constraints forced Zaccheroni to watch the clash with Paraguay from high in the stands along with 65,157 fans on a hot evening in the famous port city, and the Italian will have been delighted with what he saw as a goal from Borussia Dortmund midfielder Shinji Kagawa fired Japan to an entertaining 1-0 victory. The match was a rematch of Japan's heartbreaking Round of 16 penalty shoot-out defeat to Paraguay at the recent World Cup, and Samurai Blue fans must be wondering why Kagawa did not travel to South Africa after he turned in a virtuoso display in midfield. The 21-year-old scored the only goal of the game following an incisive pass from playmaker Kengo Nakamura, who threaded an inch-perfect ball into the path of the on-rushing Kagawa, and he took one touch before firing an unerring finish beyond Justo Villar in the Paraguayan goal. The slightly-built ex-Cerezo Osaka star wasn't the only Japanese player in good form, as Lierse SK goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima pulled off a series of impressive saves to deny the powerful Paraguay attack. The display left Zaccheroni beaming as Japan's fluid one-touch football thrilled the capacity crowd on hand, although the ease with which Paraguay ploughed through a porous back four will nevertheless give the much-travelled tactician some cause for concern. Japan's next Kirin Cup clash is against Central American minnows Guatemala at Nagai Stadium in Osaka on Tuesday night, and with the feel-good factor having returned to Japanese football following their surprise showing in South Africa, officials can expect another big crowd to turn out for the affable Hara's second and final match in charge. Copyright © Mike Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com Tags World Cup Pens World Cup Posters World Cup football

Where to now for Japan?

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 20:00:06 +0000

Keisuke Honda criticised his team's defensive football and admitted that he wouldn't even have watched the match. Takeshi Okada apologised to the nation for failing to achieve his goal of steering Japan to the semi-finals. Meanwhile, broadcaster TBS is under fire for wringing a tearful apology from the mother of defender Yuichi Komano in the aftermath of Japan's heartbreaking 5-3 penalty shoot-out defeat to Paraguay. As the dust settles on Japan's dramatic shoot-out exit from the FIFA World Cup, questions now turn to the future of the Japanese national team - and more specifically just who will coach the Samurai Blue following the rollercoaster reign of Okada. The former Consadole Sapporo and Yokohama F. Marinos coach went into the tournament under a hail of media scrutiny, yet Okada revamped his public image by guiding his unfancied Japanese side to the Round of 16 in South Africa. In the process, Japan recorded their first ever World Cup wins on foreign soil, beating Cameroon 1-0 and Denmark 3-1 en route to the knock-out stage. Yet it was the conservative nature of their tactics against an equally cagey Paraguay which disappointed some critics - including CSKA Moscow midfielder Honda, who told the Asahi Shimbun that he wouldn't even have bothered to watch the game. "My football life will go on," he told the newspaper after the loss. "We played defensively at this World Cup, but I hope we'll pursue winning through more attractive performances at the next World Cup," Honda added. A disappointed Okada admitted his sorrow at failing to fulfill his pre-tournament ambition of reaching the semi-finals, but it was an apology of a different kind which drew fierce criticism in traditionally conservative Japan. Broadcaster TBS drew widespread scorn when they interviewed Yuichi Komano's visibly upset mother in the wake of the defeat, with Jubilo Iwata defender Komano the unlucky player to miss during the shoot-out as his spot-kick clattered against the crossbar. The Tokyo-based network appeared determined to wring an apology from the 28-year-old's mother, with the tacky interview drawing immediate condemnation across the four main islands of Japan. Just why TBS felt compelled to force the issue with the ageing Komano matriarch remains a mystery, but a more pertinent question for fans of Japanese football is just who will take over at the helm of the national team. Former Urawa Reds coach Guido Buchwald appeared to be the frontrunner prior to the World Cup, with his previous working relationship with JFA chief Motoaki Inukai often cited as an important factor. Many domestic observers would like to see Gamba Osaka coach Akira Nishino handed the job, despite the fact that Nishino appears reluctant to throw his hat into the ring. However, a new candidate has now emerged, as reports surface that Kashima Antlers coach Oswaldo de Oliveira may be approached to take over just three years after arriving in the country. The Brazilian has won three successive J. League titles with the Ibaraki outfit, with many pundits now suggesting that the fiery tactician is the perfect candidate to take over from the departing Okada. Whether de Oliveira takes charge of Japan remains to be seen, but if he does move into the international hotseat, he may drastically overhaul the Japanese squad. Just two Kashima players were named in Okada's squad - defenders Atsuto Uchida and Daiki Iwamasa - and neither of them saw a minute of action in South Africa. Copyright © Mike Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com Tags World Cup Pens World Cup Posters World Cup football

Japan confident ahead of second round showdown

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 06:10:18 +0000

Takeshi Okada says he'll become a farmer after the World Cup, but just hours before Japan's second round showdown with Paraguay, the quietly-spoken coach shows no sign of pulling up roots. Okada is confident that his side can make history and reach the final eight of a World Cup for the first time, taking one step closer to fulfilling his pre-tournament prediction that Japan are good enough to reach the semi-finals in South Africa. Few were left doubting that premise after Japan's 3-1 drubbing of Denmark in their final group game , in a match in which both Keisuke Honda and Yasuhito Endo mastered the erratic Jabulani ball to crash home spectacular free-kicks. Japanese players have long been renowned for their exceptional technique, but it's the hard-running and incisive vision of CSKA Moscow midfielder Honda that has caught the eye, with a host of European clubs now putting the creative talent at the top of their shopping list. Honda had hardly featured for the Samurai Blue in the build-up to the World Cup finals, but he has quickly transformed into a team leader in the absence of an out-of-sorts Shunsuke Nakamura. Such is Honda's exceptional form up front that Shimizu S-Pulse striker Shinji Okazaki now looks likely to spend the rest of the tournament starting from the bench, despite the fact that the powerful front man was the most prolific international striker in 2009. Okazaki is not the only player to have fallen foul of Okada's axe, with Schalke-bound defender Atsuto Uchida another left out in the cold during the chilly South African winter, as veteran Yuichi Komano is preferred on the right-hand side of defence. Komano is a part of a back four rippling with experience, and many critics believe that towering stoppers Marcus Tulio Tanaka and Yuji Nakazawa have been arguably the stand-out central defensive partnership in this year's tournament. The pair will need to display all their renowned fighting spirit to keep an impressive looking Paraguay attack at bay, and if Manchester City star Roque Santa Cruz isn't a formidable enough opponent, the South Americans also have Borussia Dortmund strikers Nelson Valdez and Lucas Barrios to call upon. Like their opponents, Paraguay have never reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup, so history will be made come the full-time whistle at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. Takeshi Okada won't want to be reaching for the plough just yet, and he is confident that his side can conjure another unexpected victory, as Japan's enigmatic coach looks to continue his surprising renaissance at the helm of the national team. Copyright © Mike Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com J. League News Tags World Cup Pens World Cup Posters World Cup football

Japan braced for tough Dutch test in Durban

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 10:33:21 +0000

The Netherlands brushed aside Japan when the two sides met in a friendly in Enschede just over nine months ago, but there's far more at stake when the pair meet at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban today, with a place in the World Cup knock-out stages on the line. Fresh from their opening day victories, both sides will be eager to book a spot in the Round of 16 with another win here, although neither side looked particularly convincing in their first-up performances. The Dutch may have laboured to a scratchy 2-0 win over Denmark last time out, but for Japan coach Takeshi Okada it was all about the result, as the Samurai Blue conjured their first ever World Cup victory on foreign soil with a narrow 1-0 win over Cameroon. It was hardly champagne football on display from the Asian powerhouses, but after relieving some of the immense pressure heaped upon them by an expectant press and public, Japan can relax as they go into the Durban clash as underdogs. CSKA Moscow attacker Keisuke Honda knows all about Dutch football, having spent two-and-a-half successful seasons at VVV Venlo before moving to the Russian league. The 24-year-old scored the only goal in the game against Cameroon, and he will hope to extend his streak against a Dutch defence which at times looked vulnerable in their opening win over Denmark. "The atmosphere within the team is very good after collecting a win," fellow attacker Yoshito Okubo told the Japan Football Association website. "As we will play at a lower altitude, I should be able to run more," he added. Should Japan lose the match in Durban, they will face Denmark in a do-or-die showdown in Rustenburg on June 24. Samurai Blue fans no doubt hope that it won't come to that, as Takeshi Okada and his side look to pull off another improbable win over one of the genuine aristocrats of world football. Copyright © Mike Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com J.League News Tags World Cup Pens World Cup Posters World Cup football

Moment of truth for Okada's Japan

Sun, 13 Jun 2010 23:33:57 +0000

Their team's preparation could hardly have been worse, but the wait is finally over for Japan fans as the Samurai Blue get set to make their bow at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Coach Takeshi Okada's embattled side turned in a string of poor performances in pre-World Cup friendlies, but there will be far more at stake when captain Makoto Hasebe leads his team out against Cameroon at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontain today. Japan go into the match knowing that the clash with African hopefuls Cameroon arguably marks their best chance of victory, but given that a lack of goals remains a constant problem for Okada's side, all eyes will be on who the bespectacled tactician selects up front. The consensus is that CSKA Moscow attacker Keisuke Honda may get the nod, despite the fact that he normally plays as a creative midfielder for his club side. That would mean that Shimizu S-Pulse striker Shinji Okazaki will have to be content with a place on the bench, with Okazaki paying the price for his chronic lack of goals in 2010. If Japan are struggling in attack, they're also less than watertight at the back, and inexperienced Kawasaki Frontale goalkeeper may be preferred to error-prone veteran Seigo Narazaki in goal. Yet it's several old stagers who Japan are likely to rely upon for defensive inspiration, with the talismanic Yuji Nakazawa set to lead by example alongside Marcus Tulio Tanaka in central defence, while Okada favourite Yasuyuki Konno looks set to get the nod at right-back over former incumbent Atsuto Uchida. Whatever his formation, Okada will be acutely aware of the intense scrutiny his side face from both the Japanese and international press. His claim that Japan should aim for a semi-final berth was met with widespread derision both at home and abroad, and anything less than a win over Cameroon will almost certainly spell a swift World Cup demise for the Asian football heavyweights. It's all eyes on the Free State Stadium then, as Japan look to lay the ghosts of 2006 to rest with a convincing opener against their unpredictable opponent. Whether they have the personnel required is the question on everyones' lips. Copyright © Mike Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com J.League News Tags World Cup Pens World Cup Posters World Cup football

Japan held to 0-0 draw by Zimbabwe

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:04:23 +0000

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

Takeshi Okada names Japan's World Cup squad

Mon, 10 May 2010 11:06:48 +0000

Takeshi Okada has named his 23-man squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, with few surprises thrown in by the coach of the Samurai Blue. Jubilo Iwata goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi was the biggest surprise, with the veteran shot-stopper recalled as Japan's third choice goalkeeper despite missing several months of action through injury. Kashima Antlers defender Daiki Iwamasa has earned a deserved call up, despite being consistently overlooked by Okada during his two-and-a-half year reign so far. It's up front where Japan look like light on options, with Nagoya Grampus striker Keiji Tamada, Albirex Niigata front man Kisho Yano and Vissel Kobe misfit Yoshito Okubo somewhat fortunate to hear their names called alongside Shimizu S-Pulse star Shinji Okazaki and up-and-coming Catania striker Takayuki Morimoto. Morimoto was one of just four European-based players to earn a call-up, joining midfielders Makoto Hasebe of Wolfsburg, ageing Grenoble man Daisuke Matsui and rising star Keisuke Honda from CSKA Moscow. 23-man squad Goalkeepers—Seigo Narazaki (Nagoya Grampus), Eiji Kawashima (Kawasaki Frontale), Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi (Jubilo Iwata) Defenders—Yuji Nakazawa (Yokohama F. Marinos), Marcus Tulio Tanaka (Nagoya Grampus), Yuichi Komano (Jubilo Iwata), Daiki Iwamasa (Kashima Antlers), Yasuyuki Konno (FC Tokyo, Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), Atsuto Uchida (Kashima Antlers) Midfielders—Shunsuke Nakamura (Yokohama F. Marinos), Junichi Inamoto (Kawasaki Frontale), Yasuhito Endo (Gamba Osaka), Kengo Nakamura (Kawasaki Frontale), Daisuke Matsui (Grenoble), Yuki Abe (Urawa Reds), Makoto Hasebe (Wolfsburg), Keisuke Honda (CSKA Moscow) Forwards—Keiji Tamada (Nagoya Grampus), Yoshito Okubo (Vissel Kobe), Kisho Yano (Albirex Niigata), Shinji Okazaki (Shimizu S-Pulse), Takayuki Morimoto (Catania) Copyright © Mike Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com J.League News Tags World Cup Pens World Cup football

Eddy Bosnar's bullet vs Kyoto Sanga

Thu, 06 May 2010 12:06:13 +0000

Australian defender Eddy Bosnar continues to impress with his whole-hearted displays at the centre of the Shimizu S-Pulse defence, with the lanky Australian one of the star signings of the new J. League season. Bosnar has also earned plenty of plaudits for his thunderous free-kicks, and many are now calling for Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek to call up the tall stopper for Australia's World Cup campaign in South Africa. With dead-ball delivery like this, Bosnar may just be a bolter for selection in Australia's preliminary 27-man squad. Copyright © Michael Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com J.League News Tags World Cup Pens World Cup football

Japan 2 Bahrain 0

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 00:50:41 +0000

At a recent Asian Cup qualifier at Toyota Stadium, the Japanese national team again failed to impress as it ground out a lacklustre 2-0 win over Bahrain. Both teams had already qualified for the finals of the 2011 Asian Cup to be held in Qatar. Tags Japan Soccer News Japanese Football

New J. League campaign set to kick off

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:18:50 +0000

The 18th season of the J. League kicks off on March 6 with a blockbuster showdown between defending champions Kashima Antlers and the league's best supported club Urawa Reds. Kashima are chasing a record fourth successive J. League crown, and they'll go into the match full of confidence having wrapped up the 2009 title with a 1-0 win over Urawa at a packed Saitama Stadium. The Reds will be itching to avenge that defeat, and coach Volker Finke has overseen plenty of changes ahead of the new campaign. Talismanic Japan international Marcus Tulio Tanaka has departed for Nagoya Grampus - replaced by young Australian defender Matthew Spiranovic, while Burkina Faso international Wilfried Sanou arrives on loan from German club 1.FC Koeln. Perhaps the most impressive arrival is former Sanfrecce Hiroshima playmaker Yosuke Kashiwagi, and there is plenty of pressure on the 22-year-old midfielder to fire Urawa into the Asian Champions League places this season. Elsewhere, Gamba Osaka take on Nagoya Grampus at Expo '70 Stadium in a rematch of the 2009 Emperor's Cup final. It's a vastly different Nagoya side that will run out in Osaka, with the Aichi outfit embarking on a spending spree in the off-season having drafted in Mitsuru Chiyotanda, Colombian midfielder Danilson and Mu Kanazaki, although the real jewel in the crown is former Urawa defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka. The round's other marquee match-up sees FC Tokyo take on neighbours Yokohama F. Marinos in front of what should be a vociferous crowd at Ajinomoto Stadium. Marinos are celebrating the return of prodigal son Shunsuke Nakamura to the Tricolore, but they face a tough test against an FC Tokyo side that has made some astute signings in the form of ex-Oita Trinita defender Masato Morishige and former Albirex Niigata midfielder Toshihiro Matsushita. In J2, the new season kicks off with a fascinating clash between Avispa Fukuoka and Ventforet Kofu on March 6, however most of the action takes place a day later. Relegated sides Kashiwa Reysol and Oita Trinita face off at Kashiwa Hitachi Stadium, while newcomers Giravanz Kitakyushu make their J. League debut away at Yokohama FC. Sagan Tosu host Consadole Sapporo in another high-profile match-up at Best Amenity Stadium, whilst fallen giants JEF United face up to life in the second tier with a testing trip to Roasso Kumamoto. Shunsuke Nakamura returns to the J. League Former Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura has returned to his former stomping ground, with the 31-year-old signing on at port city side Yokohama F. Marinos. The Japan international started his career at what was then Yokohama Marinos, and having played through the bitter merger of the city's two clubs, Nakamura subsequently embarked on a prolonged European tour. Spells at Reggina in Italy and Celtic in Scotland were followed by a less successful stint at Spanish side Espanyol, and with the World Cup finals just around the corner, Nakamura has succumbed to the lure of turning out for his home-town team once again. Japan finish Asian Cup qualifying with a win Japan finished their Asian Cup qualifying campaign with a routine 2-0 win over Bahrain in front of 38,042 fans at a packed Toyota Stadium. CSKA Moscow midfielder Keisuke Honda was the star of the show on his former home ground, although it was Shimizu S-Pulse striker Shinji Okazaki who opened the scoring midway through the first half. Honda finished proceedings with a goal deep into second half stoppage time, and the industrious midfielder did enough to suggest that he could prove a key player for Takeshi Okada's squad at the 2010 World Cup. Both teams had already guaranteed their progression to the 2011 Asian Cup finals in Qatar. Copyright © Michael Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com J. League News Tags Soccer News football

China Crisis Then Tokyo Tonic

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 07:52:06 +0000

It has been a roller-coaster week for South Korean football. The final week of the Year of the Cow started well, the hump was very difficult to get over but the first day of the Year of the Tiger brought a smile to a nation returning home after the holidays. The East Asian championships provide three games in quick succession. The biennial tournament held in Tokyo this time, started with an easy 5-0 victory over Hong Kong, continued with a much-lamented 3-0 loss at the hands of China but ended with an entertaining 3-1 win against old rivals Japan in the backyard of the Blue Samurai – the packed National Stadium. The Hong Kong thrashing was expected but the defeat against China was hard to swallow. Since the two teams first met back in 1978, South Korea had never lost to its giant neighbor to the west. In 27 games, Korea had won 16 and drawn 11. That is some hoodoo. So much so that the Chinese media came up with the concept of 'Koreaphobia’ to try and explain the problem. But there was no such burden for the Chinese in Tokyo. Yu Hai headed his team in front after five minutes after being given the freedom of the penalty area, Gao Lin took advantage of a schoolboy error from Kwak Tae-hwi midway through the half to extend China’s lead and then, Deng Zhuoxiang scored an impressive third in the second half, dancing round desperate challenges from the Korean defense. The Chinese media was jubilant. Korean netizens, never slow to form opinions and never shy to express them, were disconsolate. The name ‘Hiddink’ could be heard above the din as a replacement should Huh get the boot. The general consensus though was that, with less than four months before the World Cup is due to start, the time for experimenting was over and that, above all, it was time to get the backline sorted out. For all three Chinese goals were preventable. Such games occur now and again to any team but coming after two years after of unconvincing defending, it was almost the straw that broke the camel’s back. Huh’s words at the time didn’t make anyone feel better. "That unbeaten record had to end one day," Huh told reporters. "But we had a few players come into the side who weren't in tune with the way we play. "I'm not afraid. We have to accept the result against China, analyse our mistakes and fix them in time for the Japan game." Japan had problems of its own. A pre-tournament 0-0 draw with Venezuela was followed by a similar stalemate against China. That game saw the team jeered off the field by fans in Tokyo. Japan coach Takeshi Okada insisted his team was improving but losing 3-1 against a young and fairly inexperienced Korean team means that he will be in for a tough few weeks in the build-up to the World Cup. It has already started and Okada was forced to declare that he was not going anywhere. "As I've said before, me and the coaching staff are under contract with the [Japan Football Association] whether we win or lose. It's up to the president and the technical committee to decide my place here. "I have no intention of bailing out on my players as long as they are behind me." Huh will now be fine. It wasn’t a pretty win in Tokyo but it was an effective one. It also showed character as the young Taeguk Warriors fell a goal behind to a Yasuhito Endo penalty in the first half. By half-time however, the reds were ahead thanks to a Lee Dong-gook penalty and a deflected shot from young FC Seoul star Lee Sung-ryeol. Late in the game Kim Sung-jae won the game with a fine strike from outside the area. The win meant that Korea finished second behind China. " We didn’t achieve our objective of winning the competition so I apologize to the fans,” said Huh. “We may have some difficulties at the moment as we are trying out lots of players. We are discovering some good domestic-based players but I can’t say who. We will watch them in the K-League and then decide.” Tags Soccer News football

From bad to worse for Takeshi Okada

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:25:04 +0000

It may not have been delivered in so many words, but Japan coach Takeshi Okada received the dreaded 'vote of confidence' after surviving showdown talks with the Japan Football Association on February 15. An emergency meeting was convened after Japan's 3-1 humbling at the hands of Korea Republic in the East Asian championships in Tokyo - a result that prompted a public backlash the following day. Hundreds of Japan supporters phoned JFA House to demand Okada's sacking, but the erstwhile Yokohama F. Marinos coach has once again received the support of JFA chief Motoaki Inukai. " I know that the media is calling for Okada to be fired, but it is a big risk to make such a change to a team that has been three years in the making just because of one or two results." "I don't think it would improve the team only four months before the World Cup," writes Inukai on the JFA website. While Inukai continues to brush aside suggestions that Okada should be removed from his post, many Japan fans are downcast about their team's chances at the upcoming World Cup finals. An overwhelming majority believe that Japan will make a first round exit in South Africa, and recent performances have done little to lighten the mood. Time is fast running out for Okada to wring some decent displays from his under-performing team, with morale seemingly at an all-time low under the struggling tactician's regime. Japan's next game is at home to Bahrain in an Asian Cup qualifier on March 3, where the Samurai Blue will be desperate to put their indifferent form behind them and build some momentum ahead of the World Cup. Copyright © Michael Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com J.League News Tags Soccer News football

Catcalls continue for embattled Okada

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:54:39 +0000

If Japan coach Takeshi Okada wanted a tough run out for his players at the fourth East Asian championships in Tokyo, he's got it. As the jeers rained down on the Samurai Blue from all quarters of Ajinomoto Stadium following their scoreless draw with China last Saturday, Okada could have been forgiven for cracking a wry smile. Japan's friendly schedule in the build-up to the 2010 World Cup finals has been blasted by those who claim that a lack of genuinely competitive fixtures continues to hamper the national team. However, there's no lack of competition at the four-team East Asian championships - although the hosts will be expected to hammer Hong Kong at the National Stadium on Thursday. Shorn of their overseas stars - coach Okada selected an entirely local-based squad for the tournament - last weekend Japan found themselves unable to breach Yang Zhi's goal in front of a partisan Tokyo crowd. Things would have been even worse had veteran goalkeeper Seigo Narazaki not saved Yang Hao's weak penalty attempt with eight minutes remaining. The 0-0 stalemate was the second in a matter of days, after Japan turned in an insipid display in a scoreless draw with Venezuela in friendly in Oita on February 2. Now the Samurai Blue turn their attentions to a Hong Kong side that was thrashed 5-0 by Korea Republic in their opening match, with coach Okada no doubt hoping that his strikers can rediscover their goal scoring form against the South-East Asian minnows. Despite claiming that his team are capable of reaching the semi-finals in South Africa, Okada remains a largely unloved figure in his home country. His blustering predictions belie frustratingly cautious tactics that have left fans despairing for a consistent goal scorer who can finish off Japan's often intricate build-up play. Unless Okada unveils a regular goal scorer, Japan could be on the first plane home from South Africa rather than troubling the big guns in the knock-out stage. The clash with Hong Kong represents the first step in rehabilitating Okada's fading image, however a much tougher test awaits. On Sunday the hosts meet arch-rivals Korea Republic in a Valentine's Day blockbuster, and more catcalls await should Japan fail to win - and win convincingly - against their bitter East Asian foes. Copyright © Michael Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com J.League News Tags Soccer News football

East Asia Provides Route To South Africa

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 07:31:36 +0000

For fans in South Korea, the 2010 World Cup is put on a backburner this weekend as the fourth East Asian championships are held in Japan. The biennial four-nation tournament, which runs from February 6 to 14, is often a feisty affair as you would expect as it features regional rivals China, Japan, South Korea and one other from this part of the world. That has been North Korea for the past two occasions but this time round, the 1966 World Cup quarter-finalists failed to qualify and Hong Kong will fill the fourth spot instead. There is still some spice however as the former British colony is coached by a South Korean, Kim Pan-gon, hoping to make headlines at home. The prize for lifting the trophy, which has been contested three times and gone to South Korea twice and China once, is mostly measured in terms of regional pride though it does come with a prize of $500,000. It is not a huge event in the world of soccer but for fans in Beijing, Tokyo and Seoul, the chance to put one over on neighbours and rivals is always welcome. This year is a little different as it is the first time the tournament has been held in the run-up to the World Cup and while Japan and Korea, both qualifiers for the June tournament in South Africa, would be delighted to win, thoughts are on the bigger picture. Japan and South Korea see tough and competitive games in Tokyo as ideal preparation for the big ones in South Africa. Japan has been drawn in the same group as the Netherlands, Denmark and Cameroon in June, and has been struggling a little to find committed opposition. In October, Japan was disappointed at the lack of challenge presented by Togo and Scotland who travelled east shorn of their stars. "We wanted two tough matches but you can only beat the opposition in front of you,” said Japan coach Takeshi Okada at the time. Now Okada is looking forward the upcoming tests. “The East Asian Championship is a chance to take our game up a level further. Unlike the games we had at the end of last year, this time I'm expecting a serious challenge." Okada and his team need a challenge if he is to meet the targets that he has set for his team at the World Cup – a spot in the semifinal to match South Korea’s achievements in 2002. “I said I wanted to shock the world,” Okada said recently. “If South Korea reached the semifinals, then why can’t we? Motivation is the key for the players who want to make it to our World Cup squad. We will only pick players who are serious about giving it their best shot and trying to reach the semi-finals.” No extra motivation is needed for players on either side when Japan and Korea. The Taeguk Warriors have just returned from a three-week training camp. The three games in South Africa, getting a taste of playing soccer in the relatively high altitude of the Rainbow Nation, didn’t go too well with a defeat against Zambia in the first match. Results improved slightly and the two subsequent matches in Spain against Finland and Latvia both ended in wins. The lack of goals from his strikers has concerned coach Huh Jung-moo, who like his Japanese counterpart is also hoping that the East Asian Cup can give his team some much-needed hard work. "During the two training camps and five friendlies, I noted the strong and weak points of the players. It was a good experience for them." Much attention in the Korean media has been on the stuttering form of striker Lee Dong-gook. The 2009 K-League top scorer found the back of the net 21 times last season for champion Jeonbuk Motors but after earning a recall to the national team, he has yet to show the same kind of ruthlessness. There are signs that coach Huh is losing patience with the man who was omitted from the 2002 squad and injured in 2006. "The players did their job properly in their respective positions but we must improve the killer instinct,” said Huh. "We lost many clear chances and were not sharp enough in front of the goal. The players must show more technique and have physical strength to get a World Cup call-up. South Korea’s opening game on Sunday is against Hong Kong. Then come games against China on Wednesday and Japan on Sunday. Contests with the latter pair are always intense. These days, China is just desperate to defeat Korea as it has simply never done so. The two teams have met 27 times in their history with Korea winning 16 and the other 11 ending in a tie. China’s ‘Koreaphobia’ is alive and well and sure to be mentioned a number of times by the Korean media over the next few days. Huh got his first win in charge of the Taeguk Warriors in this competition against China in February 2008 and while he may have his sights set on South Africa, he won’t want to become the first ever coach to lose to China. What he is hoping the tournament will help him do however is become the first coach to lead South Korea past the first round at a World Cup held overseas. Copyright: John Duerden & Soccerphile.com Tags Soccer News football

Familiarity breeds success on J. League opening day

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:07:06 +0000

It's a case of "same again, please" as far as the J. League is concerned, with last season's bumper opening day clash between Kashima Antlers and Urawa Reds reprised for the 2010 campaign. The J. League has announced the schedule for the opening two rounds of fixtures, with three-time defending champions Kashima set to start the defence of their title in front of a capacity crowd at Kashima Stadium against arch-rivals Urawa. There's also a repeat of the recent Emperor's Cup final as Gamba Osaka host Nagoya Grampus at Expo '70 Stadium, while last season's runners-up Kawasaki Frontale kick off the new campaign at home to Albirex Niigata. Round 2 features a much-anticipated Osaka derby, as promoted side Cerezo Osaka welcome crosstown rivals Gamba to Nagai Stadium, with Kanagawa rivals Yokohama F. Marinos and newly promoted Shonan Bellmare also slugging it out at Nissan Stadium. The full fixture list will be announced on February 3. Round 1 Saturday, March 6 Kashima Antlers vs Urawa Reds (Kashima Stadium) FC Tokyo vs Yokohama F. Marinos (Ajinomoto Stadium) Kawasaki Frontale vs Albirex Niigata (Todoroki Stadium) Shonan Bellmare vs Montedio Yamagata (Hiratsuka Stadium) Jubilo Iwata vs Vegalta Sendai (Yamaha Stadium) Gamba Osaka vs Nagoya Grampus (Expo '70 Stadium) Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Shimizu S-Pulse (Big Arch Stadium) Sunday, March 7 Omiya Ardija vs Cerezo Osaka (Nack5 Stadium) Vissel Kobe vs Kyoto Sanga (Home's Stadium) Round 2 Saturday, March 13 Vegalta Sendai vs Omiya Ardija (Yurtec Stadium) Yokohama F. Marinos vs Shonan Bellmare (Nissan Stadium) Albirex Niigata vs Jubilo Iwata (Big Swan Stadium) Shimizu S-Pulse vs Montedio Yamagata (Nihondaira Stadium) Nagoya Grampus vs Kawasaki Frontale (Toyota Stadium) Sunday, March 14 Urawa Reds vs FC Tokyo (Saitama Stadium) Kyoto Sanga vs Kashima Antlers (Nishikyogoku Stadium) Cerezo Osaka vs Gamba Osaka (Nagai Stadium) Vissel Kobe vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima (Home's Stadium) Copyright © Michael Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com J.League News Tags Soccer News football