soccer

Japan draws with Jordan 1-1 in Asian Cup

16 Comments

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Japan should have won, as that won goal was unlucky. But they still need a better striker to put the ball in the back of the net. Okazaki really added a burst of energy when he came into the game. Smart move to put Honda on the left side, as he seemed to have more space to create on that side.

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“I couldn’t have imagined this result,” Japan’s Italian coach Alberto Zaccheroni said. “We had prepared ourselves to win.”

I see that more of Japan is rubbing off on Zaccheroni than he is rubbing off on the Japan team; he's already getting those feelings of entitlement so many here suffer from. The only difference I see between this game and Japan's pre-2010 WC play is that they actually attempted more shots but were just shut out by the defense (save for the injury-time goal). At least THAT's a plus. On that I agree with Hachmike66, though -- they still need better strikers.

Anyway, to be so close to a loss against Jor dan does not bode well, and Japan clearly needs to up its game.

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One of those "stuff happens" games that come up fairly regularly in soccer where the score has no relation to the play. I think only two real chances for Jor dan, and on one the defender put his foot out and deflected it in. So Japan should just move on and get ready for the next game, don't worry about this one.

Having said that, the finishing was terrible as usual, especially Okazaki's ridiculous header and Hasebe shooting wide. The mysterious striker / finishing problem continues, same as always.

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I now get Smith's PS comment. But from watching the game I don't think they have much offensive potential.

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@smith'I see that more of Japan is rubbing off on Zaccheroni than he is rubbing off on the Japan team; he's already getting those feelings of entitlement so many here suffer from.'HUH?That is such a warped interpretation.In the very next line he says they were well prepared,to me that alludes to the physical and mental aspect so I just cant fathom where that comment is coming from.Certainly not good enough,but due to a sense of 'entitlement that many here suffer from'?Wow.

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Luckily the Man Utd - Liverpool match was shown at the same time at my local sports bar.

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At least the defender made up for unintentionally aiding the first goal by scoring at the last minute. From what I hear, I'm glad I missed this match.

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And just at the time the first goal fell, my hubby went to the fridge to grab another beer and missed it. All in all, a pretty embarrassing game for Japan. Hopefully they will regain their strength in the coming games. After all, we don't want another fiasco like in the Asian Games.

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Depending on other results, Japan could now be in a position where they have to beat Saudi Arabia to be sure of going through - NOT a good situation. But it's the usual striker problem for Japan. I'm surprised he took Maeda off at half-time, he got poor service and may have been a bigger threat when Japan dominated the 2nd half.

The coach now has to consider whether to go the Okada World Cup route and play Honda up front to have a physical presence there who can link up with the midfield.

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I liked how they were passing the ball forward (lots of 1 touches) and the GK getting the ball out quickly for attacks. New coach might be able to get this team moving in the right direction. I can definitely see him demanding performance from his squad like Osim did. I wasn't completely wow'd but much better than recent games.

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I think they need to learn NGO pass the ball and take the keeper by surprise. From al the soccer I have seen, winning teams always pass. If you try to shoot straight at the keeper, well that's the way it goos! I think that is human nature. it's a team game! I think Japan did poorly, they are good technically but need to learn to get the bal in, only that counts! I sure hope they will do better!

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foxie.................he has to fetch his own beer??????

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Jordan played to their strengths. They should be proud.

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Yoshida scored three goals, one wrongly disallowed (and it could have change a lot of things), an own goal and the goal of the salvation. Funny.

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You did well, Yoshida. He made a goal during injury-time, even though Japanese first goal was disallowed by the sign of offside.

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Shooting past Shafi to equalize is an awesome result for Japan.

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