South Korea beats Japan 2-0 in World Cup warm-up

BOOM! South Korea proves once again it is in a league much higher and much better than the Blue Samurai. I was hoping that Japan could prove me wrong and go into the WC with lifted spirits, but it looks like they'll have to deal with their hanging heads and pathetic passing/shooting for three games next month.

Absolutely pathetic! And Okada can 'demand' that the Japan team avenge things all he wants, and claim that Japan is entitled to reach the semi-finals because the team that just handed them their butts on a platter did in 2002, it doesn't change the fact that SK is a more spirited, better playing group, and Japan has next to no talent whatsoever, and are led by a fool.

Okada had ordered Japan to avenge a 3-1 defeat to the South Koreans in February that very nearly cost him his job but the Blue Samurai were second best in every department in an entertaining first half.

hilarious. All the best guys. Miracles still happen

‘"The players gave it everything they had but we have lost twice in one year (to South Korea) and I feel very sorry about that,’’ said Okada.'

Here's the big question, though... do you feel sorry Japan did not win, or just that they have lost twice to SKorea in a very short time? It's this kind of attitude that's going to make Okada the measure of what NOT to do as a coach once Japan goes down in disgrace at the WC. Focus on what you SHOULD be doing, not feeling self-pity about losing to SK. They are a better team, play better, and instead of feeling like they DESERVE to win, they PLAY to win, and the result is clear.

Why do I find myself cheering for Korea? I guess because of the same way I would not cheer for a three-legged horse. Although it is great to cheer for the underdog, I see firsthand how "politics" plays a role in who plays. Forget the name value and put in the best players. Look at Chono on the Giants, for example. Eight more years for Japanese soccer. 2018 World Cup: Japan's first 'real' chance to get the cup.

To be fair to Japan though - they have absolutely no-one even in the same division as Park. He is the only superstar in the Asian teams. That boy could show up a lot of the so-called "big teams" in Sth Africa. Japan is also hampered by being coached by a muppet.

A couple of points. Why did Okada include people who aren't in the WC squad for this friendly? Players like Gotoku Sakai and Shinji Kagawa. We can debate whether these two should be going to the World Cup, but seeing as they aren't in the squad they shouldn't have been there tonight. Surely he has to be looking at the players he is going to take to South Africa.

And regarding Ji-Sung Park: Yes he is a good player, but he isn't the reason Korea are so much better than Japan. Korea are far better organised and more adaptable in their approach. But the sad truth is that the Koreans are merely an average side - which is a damning indictment on Japan.

Oh yeah, and Japan are coached by a muppet.

It makes the England match a must-win for Okada-Japan. Morale must be rock-bottom in the Japan camp right now, irrespective of the sunny statements.

NHK highlights said it all tonight. Except for one pretty good shot by Morimoto, all they had to show were clips of Japan getting close to the Korean penalty area a half dozen times, and the ball bouncing away or flying off out of play.

Watched the game, not closely enough to say anything much about individual players, but the general impression was pretty poor. Poor on the ball and in possession, slow to move the ball, bad passing when they did move it, and no width at all. People can complain about Okada if they want, but he doesn't have anything to work with in terms of elite level players.

And the body language of the players at the end looked terrible. Like they already know that South Africa is a disaster waiting to happen, and that this game was another step down that road.

Geeez,shades of 2002 and 2006 again!

I thought Japan were a slightly below average English Championship side, but after that display i would say Leagu 1 standard, mayber MK Dons level.

The odds on Korea winning were 12/5, couldnt resist putting a score on at those odds. Japanese strikers couldnt score in a brothel.

'in an entertaining first half.'

Did the writer actually watch the game? It was a scrap fest from both sides. Scrappy passing, scrappy shooting, scrappy defending. I switched it off part of the way through the second half.

Neither Japan nor Korea can be proud if this kind of display.

Koreans are merely an average side

How so? Korea is considered the dark horse among strong teams.

I am not sure England will push themselves that hard right before the World Cup so we might have a draw here on Sunday which can cause a frenzy in media (in a positive way).

How so? Korea is considered the dark horse among strong teams.

No, Korea are not really regarded as dark horses. Teams like Ivory Coast, Ghana and Serbia are generally considered the dark horses in this years world cup. In Asia the Koreans are considered very strong, but on the world stage they are, in my opinion, very average.

The only thing going for Korea is their group. While Argentina will obviously be favourites, Korea, Greece & Nigeria are of similar level so they have a decent chance of getting second place.

‘‘The players gave it everything they had but we have lost twice in one year (to South Korea) and I feel very sorry about that,’’ said Okada

Then resign if you are sorry. My faith in Okada is such that I feel any coach even a last minute appointment can do better.

Also if Korea, Greece and Nigeria are in similar level as you say then you're acknowledging it's a strong team while deny it's a dark horse. You're not making much sense.

"No, Korea are not really regarded as dark horses. Teams like Ivory Coast, Ghana and Serbia are generally considered the dark horses in this years world cup. In Asia the Koreans are considered very strong, but on the world stage they are, in my opinion, very average.

The only thing going for Korea is their group. While Argentina will obviously be favourites, Korea, Greece & Nigeria are of similar level so they have a decent chance of getting second place."

Korea beat Cote D'Ivoire 2:0. If it's best in Asia isn't a force to reckon with?

The order of my above comments was inverted for some reason.

moshiso7 - I never acknowledged that any of Korea, Greece or Nigeria are strong sides, merely that they are of a similar standard. Don't confuse the two.

And as for the Korea - Ivory Coast game. It was a friendly, in London in front of less than 4000 fans. Add to that the Ivorians had no mamager, had many players who were in the midst of important domestic league challenges (Drogba, Kolo Toure, Kalou, Eboue, Dindane etc) then I don't think you can take much from that game.

Japan should have sacked Oka-duh a long time ago. When Osim was coach, he described what kind of soccer he was aiming for. His was a running game, putting pressure on the ball on D, getting open on O. With Okada ... does anyone know what we wants to do? Has he ever made it clear what kind of soccer he's aiming for? It's always, I feel responsible for our loss ... We'll try harder to get results next time .... HOW? He just puts in players and hopes for the best. SACK HIM NOW.

I'm glad I missed this game on TV... The only thing more frustrating than watching the Japanese try to score is having to leave a good kyabakura for the last train...

japan needs to marry the right coach. a brasilian coach doesn't have the style of rigor required. you should never marry in the same family, so don't have a japanese coach. this is why australia was unsuccessful for so long. we married dutch coaches - they fit well with our way of teacher- student. i think japan should have german or swedish coach - somebody serious about discipline and strategy. that would be a good marriage to japanese discipline and art