Hernandez double gives Mexico 2-1 win over Japan

Kampai...

What - there is no 7th vs. 8th playoff? Japan v Tahiti would be a real cracker. Anyway, good on the Samurai for getting this far, but conceding 9 goals in 3 games means some defence work needs to be done before Brazil 2014. All the games there will be tough.

Japan lost miserably in every gave and as host got a draw with the referee's help against Australia which was the real player on the field. The bubble has burst again, not for economy but for Pride of this disillusioned group of Fans. Work on your skills and basics; you still are not and have never been so far the best in Asia ...

na, i dont think so nedinjapan. there is a lot of talent in this team, i just think they need something like the winning spirit. they didnt played bad at all. a win over italy would have been more then deserved. in my opinion they play way better than australia, with or without the help of the referee.

Viva Chicharito!!!

Japan has got a LOT of work to do if they don't want to be sent home in the first round of the WC. They are getting better and better and handling the ball midfield, passing, and keeping control for a bit, but at either goal they fall apart -- they have no good strikers, and their defense is getting weaker. It might be time for Kawashima to hang up his hat.

Anyway, this was truly a game for pride, which means that the Samurai Blue, who faired pretty well against Italy despite losing, go home 0-3. I hope this REALLY makes them think about strategy and play better overall. They're not just going to be playing teams like Iraq and Oman for easy wins in WC, they're going to be playing teams the likes of which they just lost to. So, chin up, boys, and don't lose any time before working on your game!

Guys, let's not forget, the confederations cup is a tournament for the winners of regional tournaments and the host of the world cup. The team's Japan played are no walk over chumps in the park and the group we played in arguably harder than the other group. In three games we let in 9 goals yes. But there is a lot there to give us hope for next year.

Nedinjapan, Japan is without a doubt the best team in Asia. The Aussies are an absolute shambles, and the koreans are struggling to find themselves. The Uzbecks and the form they have going into these final rounds of Asia World Cup round would have made them a far better representative than the aussies or the koreans.

@ Dai Kitamura - the Aussies are a shambles - yet the reality is the Samurai can't beat them at home. Loads of work for all us Asian teams to do if we are to have any impact at the WC. And Uzbekistan? 500-1 shots of getting to Brazil.

Why are people keep harking on about the japan vs australia game still? It was a blatant penalty right in front of the ref and linesman,get over it.As for japans chances at the wc there is a year to go so plenty of time yet to work on tactics and maybe strengthening of the squad.They have got the talent and the belief that they could go far in the future, and i think that installed in any team sport is what you need.

Australia are no shambles. They are a side lacking in quality but are hard to beat and have a spirit and tenacity which Zac would kill for. They won't progress past the group stage, but I can't see them being on the end of hidings either. As for Japan, Hernandez is a perfect example of what Japan is lacking - a finisher.

The Sunday AM talking heads commented that this tournament gave Japan a very good idea of what it needs to focus on for the WC, DEFENSE, DEFENSE, and more DEFENSE.

@ Liam Roberts - no-one is harping on it, just pointing out to another poster that Japan couldn't beat the "absolute shambles" that is Australia on home soil - which is saying something. Australia, South Korea and Iran definitely deserve their spots along with Japan in 2014. It is regrettable that the Japanese sports media are savaging the Samurai after their performance in this tourney - sometimes I think we in the Asian confederation lose sight of the higher standard of other non-asian teams.

BurakuminDes its been a month since that game and the same people keep bringing it up,it was not aimed at your post.All the teams that have qualified or finished runners up to be at the WC deserve their place regardless of how good or bad they are(they done their hard work to get there).The Australians are not a shambles they could shock a few teams in Brazil,they have an older team that has been around for a while which means their understanding is better than most teams. And in Tim Cahill they have aplayer who will fight to the end(sorry Everton supporter).Lets just enjoy what's up ahead.

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All readers back on topic please. Australia is not relevant to this discussion.

Japan did alright against Italy, they just have to be more ruthless in front of goal, tighten up their defense on set pieces and get a decent keeper.

The Australians are not a shambles they could shock a few teams in Brazil,they have an older team that has been around for a while which means their understanding is better than most teams. And in Tim Cahill they have aplayer who will fight to the end(sorry Everton supporter).Lets just enjoy what's up ahead.

Well said Liam - agree 100 percent. I just wish Cahill was still at Everton - no disrespect to the US Major League Soccer but EPL wouldve kept him at an even higher standard.

Mexico won this time so that is all that matters to this mexicano!! VIVA MEXICO!! VIVA el Chicharito!! Viva El TRI as we so lovingly call our pride and joy, the Mexican national soccer team! PS el Chicarito is Hernandez. Japan good try, we all have to clean up our games, Mexico, Japan etc...