Tensions rise

Clear penalty. Aah the men's team, too busy with their haircuts. For pure performance I respect the Women's team much more.

The men spend much more time on their hair than the women's team players. Priorities, priorities...

They may be catching up to Europe in whining, but definitely not in skill.

Yeh, I mean they were never world-beaters, but it looks like Japan is getting weaker. Too many out of form players sitting on the bench in Europe? After the Aussies scored Japan was clearly playing for the draw and even brought on a defender at the end.

I agree that Japan appears to be going backwards. Leaders like Honda, Kagawa, and Hasebe (!) have peaked and there aren't the players coming through to take over the mantle.

Australia don't look like they are progressing much either.

Poor game on both sides. Gotta love them haircuts though boys. Mote mote.

A draw away isn't a bad result at all (especially in oz the other top team of the group) pretty sure Halhilodzic would have been happy with that before the match. Thing is when you score early and dominate the first half the way they did you expect the 3pts at the end.

Agree with therougou, Japan were too conservative, they should have killed the game in the first half and played the 2nd with a winning mentality. Instead both teams seemed happy with the draw. Both better wake up cause the saudis may spoil the party.

However bad Japan are, just watch England's 0-0 bore draw against 83rd ranked Slovenia ...England were truly awful, few technical skills, desire, motivation and so, so boring. Their goalkeeper was MOM last night, which tells you all you need to know.

They got a point away in Australia. Great result and a good performance. The decision photographed was a penalty award. Anyone with any tiny experience of the sport of football will instantly know that you get upset with a penalty awarded against you.

I have to agree with eye and others in that the women's team, NADESHIKO Japan is much better than the men's team.

As often happens Japan gets too afraid to do something more after having the lead... Good effort for both teams though. And amazing save by the Aussie keeper in the later 2nd halp after header in the bottom corner. Japan could have gotten the 3 points!

YeahRight: you cannot compare the teams without them playing each other. If the women won such a match, then yes, but the leagues are leagues apart, with the women's a more level playing field. They may well actually BE better, but you can't judge that based solely on them getting a better result.

England are Japan are in the same situation. Both in dire need of rebuilding.