Goalkeeping blunder by Japan lets Venezuela grab 2-2 draw

Japan all the way...inject the new blood!

Japan seemed set for their first win under the Mexican

If the outcome upset Aguirre, who took over after Japan’s group stage exit in the World Cup in Brazil led to the resignation of Alberto Zaccheroni, the Mexican did not show it.

What kind of reporting trash is this? The Mexican...The Mexican.... Surely there could have been a much more tasteful way to describe the head coach of the team other than simply calling him the Mexican.

What kind of reporting trash is this? The Mexican...The Mexican.... Surely there could have been a much more tasteful way to describe the head coach of the team other than simply calling him the Mexican.

Like it or not, its common reporting in these types of articles..

Considering the source (Thomson Reuters), perhaps it's likely that the writer was English (not American), and more used to referring to nationality as a convenient substitute for coach/manager/proper name or title. No matter what, if you wanted to reference Aguirre's origins, it makes far better sense to refer to him as the "former head coach of the Mexican national team."

Japan played better than they usually do. There was less passing and more aggressive shots. Japan, however, needs a new goalie. Kawashima has made that same mistake once too many.

Kawashima is always the weakest link.

Saw his miss and he deserves a face palm. It was a sitter and he just took his eyes off the ball and it bounced through his hands into the net. I've always said, the Japanese soccer team doesn't lose, they beat themselves!

If they are going to try out new players, they should start with the goalie. Kawashima is ok, but it's time to bring in some new blood. These internationals are great matches to test the next generation.

I think Kawashima has gotten worse playing in Belgium. That's the problem for Japan though, its hard for their defenders and keepers to get experience in top leagues due to lack of size and (probably) English-speaking ability. So they will always be a weak link. Just look at the PK. Its the exact type of PK Konno gave away at the World Cup. He dives in as if the attacker doesn't have a brain and won't try to earn the PK.