soccer

Asian Cup clash is another chapter in Japan-South Korea rivalry

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Both suck, so I do not want to offend any Japanese or Koreans, but it is the truth.

Alright then fella (or lass!?!?). I'm feeling bored so let's see you back this statement up? On what basis do you reckon Japan and South Korea both "suck". Look forward to hearing from you....

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6-0! Yeah baby! GO THE MIGHTY GREEN AND GOLD!

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Gutsy win, solid stuff, well done Japan. The story of the game however is the woeful Saudi ref - can anyone explain how a ref awards a penalty for a foul OUTSIDE the box? Unbelievable! Also, it is clear the poor old Koreans had not practiced penalties...they must have taken their cues from the English! Also, gotta admit Kawashima played better than befits a Belgian-league toiler, he surprised me.

Looking like the 'Roos will be going toe to toe with Japan on Sat, we are up 2-0 now. Let the rivalry continue......the 2 Kings of Asia punching on again!

GO THE GREEN AND GOLD! HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY, ALL AUSSIES!

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aj2o1,

S.Korea didn't win the game and it will take light years to surpass Japan economically.

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Congratulations Team Japan!

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Yessssss!! Get in there!!!!! Top stuff Kawashima!!!!

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Just remember elbuda, Korea & Japan both reached the same stage of the World Cup as Mexico.

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Both suck, so I do not want to offend any Japanese or Koreans, but it is the truth.

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S. Korea will win the game, along with surpassing Japan in the economy, soft power, sports, K-pop.

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I hope to see Japan win tonight. The best of luck to Honda and company.

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3REN, thanks again for the TV time.

I agree with Badmigraine and Mrsynic: Air times in the article would be very helpful.

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I agree wholeheartedly that Honda CAN play as a unit, and he can work the pitch very well when he's not trying to be the hero, but we've seen him take shots when he could have easily passed and given someone else in a better position a shot.

I go to disagree with this - having someone who shoots on sight instead of playing the millionth pass is a godsend for Japan. It's kind of accpeted to frown on players who shoot when a pass is on but if you play or watch a lot of football, this doesn't really pan out in practice. The extra pass adds an extra degree of uncertainty in that it has to be a good pass, the receiving player's control and balance etc has to be good, and very often the player doesn't even manage to get a shot off. Shooting wildly from 40 yards is another thing, but Honda doesn't do that - he IS a team player, he's just that bit better (and more direct) than his teammates.

For the last two matches Japan's attacking threat has come from the rapid interchanging of the front three Kagawa, Maeda and Okazaki that pulled the Saudi and Qatari defences all over the place. The match might hinge on whether this works against the even quicker and more tactically astute Koreans, as I'm sure Korea will score one or two at the other end.

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3RENSHO, thanks for posting that. It boggles the mind that these articles never tell you the time and channel.

Indeed, don't bother with this site if you want full details about news. Anyway my money is on SK to win it.

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Not making any excuses, just answering to zaccheroni's statement.

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Remember, Korea fell on the most difficult group of the cup, played 120 minutes on the last game and had only two days to rest before this match while Japan had four.

Sounds like three excuses to me. The bottom line is there should be no excuses after the game. If you can't get up for this game, whether you played 120 mins in the last one or played with 10 men, then quite frankly you shouldn't be on the pitch.

Re: Honda. Players like Honda & Kagawa need licence to do what they do. Granted, they shouldn't see themselves as a one man team, but these players are matchwinners. We have seen it in the past, and we will see it in the future. Honda might shoot sometimes when there maybe a better pass on, but he backs himself - and that takes balls. He has the confidence to try things and that should be encouraged.

All the top players need that bit of greediness, to do things themselves. Honda and Kagawa are Japan's top men so lets give them the opportunity to do what they do best.

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roomtemperature: "Smith, I agree with you partly about Honda. With any free kick close to the box he's there to lay claim on it. So far without success. But his field play is good. He has an eye for putting others in scoring positions or passing to them when he sees they are in a better position. He DOES play as a unit and hardly tries to go it alone."

I agree wholeheartedly that Honda CAN play as a unit, and he can work the pitch very well when he's not trying to be the hero, but we've seen him take shots when he could have easily passed and given someone else in a better position a shot (he did this last game, as a matter of fact, and shot wide more than once). That's why I said these guys really have to focus -- everyone knows these two teams would like to beat the other more than any other team they may want to beat, so they need to concentrate on getting it done.

moshiso7: Agreed. I loathe the way some seem to already be setting up potential excuses as to why they may not do well if the result doesn't go their way.

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Zaccheroni said his players were “mentally exhausted” after they battled from behind with 10 men to defeat host Qatar in the quarterfinals and gave them a day off to rest on Sunday.

Remember, Korea fell on the most difficult group of the cup, played 120 minutes on the last game and had only two days to rest before this match while Japan had four.

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I'm a Japan supporter but on form alone they'll need a miracle to win this one.

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I don't know why there's all that fuss about the broadcast. JT is not a program guide. It's not that hard to get that info from other sources, online or from your guide on your TV.

Smith, I agree with you partly about Honda. With any free kick close to the box he's there to lay claim on it. So far without success. But his field play is good. He has an eye for putting others in scoring positions or passing to them when he sees they are in a better position. He DOES play as a unit and hardly tries to go it alone.

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let's hope the fans will behave

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I agree that both teams really need to stay focused; they both have something to prove against each other, and that may well lead to too much passion and subsequent folly on the parts of some players. In particular I think this is the case for Japan -- we've seen Honda try to go it alone in such cases rather than play as a unit.

Anyway, it'll be fun.

3Rensho: Thanks for the details.

badmigraine: No kidding! You'd think, while they may not post it as part of the article, that they could put it as a footer or something.

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3RENSHO, thanks for posting that. It boggles the mind that these articles never tell you the time and channel.

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10:00PM on NHK BS channel 1, and 10:20PM on TVAsahi. Enjoy the game!

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ganbare nippon. Will be rooting, even tho I hate soccer heh. Mod can you add the time and channel where this will be broadcasted. thnx

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