soccer

Japan soccer chief concerned over lack of goals

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Japan needs to beef up their strikers and get in some training to speed themseleves up. They are naturally fast and need to use this advantage against more cumbersome defenders like England or Australia.

I would like to see at least a couple of the team in a decent German, English or Dutch team and playing regulary. Playing against tough opposition would get them used to playing their World Cup opposition.

Playing in the J League and playing mediocre International friendlies will not help Japans chances.

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It might have been better to have been concerned when they appointed the current manager, whose record at the World Cup finals in France, 1998, was played 3, lost 3, goals for 1, goals against 4. And that was with a Japanese team who were probably much better than now. Okada-san is a good manager at J League level, but completely out of his depth internationally. Bring back the Frenchman!

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"Japan soccer chief concerned over lack of goals"......ya think?

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Did this guy sleep through all of soccer before taking on the team? Japan has been in this boat for more than 8 years. They play a decent defense, but they never shoot the ball -- all they do is pass it when they have perfect opportunities. Why is this suddenly new to the person who should have noticed it long ago, and paid more attention to it than anyone.

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Ganbare Nippon!

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Smithinjapan is spot on. The only reason why this has become an issue now is because the fans are UNHAPPY. Typical reactionary bureaucracy at is best. Japan have always played this 'Hot Potato' style of football in front of goal. Let me call this style of game 'small football'. Japanese strikers don't have the physical abilities, characteristics or power of a Rooney, van Nistelrooy, or a Ronaldo so players rely on small passages of speedy play to score goals. It was obvious that the FW and MF were not working well together in the last 2 games. Only a few months to go and Japan really needs to get its act together.

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Smith in Japan. hit the nail on the head. Ozmonster drove it home. The team first mentality isn't what good strikers need.

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Bring in Morimoto!

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What lack of goals? Japan scored THREE goals against the almighty Hong Kong team today. That should put them firmly on the road to the WC semi-finals.

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