Zaccheroni laments Japan's lack of intensity

"Coach of Japan since 2010, Zaccheroni said he was puzzled by his side’s lack of shape and aggression in defense, but added that qualification from Group C, in which Colombia beat Greece 3-0 earlier on Saturday, was still possible."

While I don't believe Zaccheroni, who will ultimately take the blame if/when Japan fails to proceed past the first stage, is indeed to blame, he chose the line-up and positions, and it seems it was all based on media hype. Despite Honda scoring the first goal with a nice kick, he was a disaster for the second half of the game, as was Okazaki, and Yoshida. Uchida seemed like the only one on the field who actually cared and put passion into it instead of relying on ego. Qualification is certainly still possible, and I think Japan has a good shot even as they are against Greece, but they've got their work cut out for them against Columbia. I'm just glad to see the coach is somewhat humbler than certain players who previously said Japan will 'surprise' and 'win the world cup' this time around.

Which coach said before Japan will win the World Cup? I doubt you tell the truth

certain players who previously said Japan will 'surprise' and 'win the world cup' this time around

This is how English speakers are. They take words literally and seriously. Those "surprise" and "win the world cup" mean something like "Thank you for your support, we'll do our best" No Japanese take it seriously.

tinawatanabe: "This is how English speakers are. They take words literally and seriously."

Like apologies? No, tina, Honda said Japan will surprise the world. If he meant, we'll do our best, he should have said that. I don't say "I love you" if I don't mean it, and don't say "I'm sorry" if I'm not. Are you suggesting Honda was insincere? On the contrary to Honda, for example, was the coach in question, who stated that Japan had to get its act together after several less-than-optimal friendlies against countries worse than Cote D'Ivoire, and he was absolutely correct. Honda, on the other hand, merely helped give Japan a surprise it certainly did not want. Don't blame language for Japan's performance. How many times have you heard the media here say Japan will make it to the semi-finals? Do you seriously wonder why people are disappointed?

http://www.japantoday.com/category/world_cup/view/japan-has-potential-to-win-world-cup-says-honda

Zac's right - they lacked intensity, especially when they really needed to be chasing that equaliser towards the end.

Smith

If he meant, we'll do our best, he should have said that. I don't say "I love you" if I don't mean it, and don't say "I'm sorry" if I'm not. Are you suggesting Honda was insincere?

No, it sounds as though Tina is suggesting that nuances of language are lost in the translation Smith, such that punters like yourself, with your rabid anti-everything Japanese agenda, jump on it and mock and ridicule Japan every chance you get. And if you think the Japanese media are the only ones who talk up their country's chances, you are tripping.

I'm saying Japanese would think "That's the sprit!" when we hear what Honda says. I don't think Japanese and the Japanese team were confident or arrogant as most posters here are saying. Don't you think no point for Honda to say "I'm not confident"? By the way, I heard he says "It's OK if we lost" I didn't like the remark. You have to say "We will win" no matter what.

They didn't lack intensity, they were simply overpowered and man handled. They were just too weak for the much physically stronger opponent. Japan has traditionally had problems with opponents that play a physical game. But I see before this loss, that Japan was taking Greece lightly for whatever reason, which didn't make any sense to me. The Greeks are much bigger, taller, and play just as physical as the Ivory Coast players. It's not a given that Japan can defeat Greece, as made out to be in the Japanese media, when Japan has had tough times playing against strong physical teams.

@tinawatanabe

By the way, I heard he says "It's OK if we lost" I didn't like the remark. You have to say "We will win" no matter what.

This type of attitude and facade (of insincerely pretending victory is assured even in the face of overwhelming odds) hasn't exactly worked in Japan's favour in the past... I can think of at least one example, and I'm not just thinking in the sports context here.

In the UK, people are also supporting their national team but if you ask them if they have a chance of winning the world cup, people will laugh and say no. If Japan didn't pretend they were the best, maybe some self criticism could have helped to improve the weaknesses that let them down in this game.

Japan head coach Alberto Zaccheroni lamented his team’s lack of intensity

maybe they thought it's just the World Cup...nothing special.

In the UK, people are also supporting their national team but if you ask them if they have a chance of winning the world cup, people will laugh and say no

not true...i'm sure 50/50 would split b/w yes and no.

In the case of Japan I fault the coach for not preparing the team properly for the match. Everyone knew what was coming when Drogba was introduced. We have watched him play over a decade now. Japan did not adjust and that goes to the coach.

In the case of England, that was indeed the players fault. Rooney in particular. The plan was sound and the adjustments well timed. The players went off the rails somehow in the 2nd period. It was painful to watch. How many passes went astray. How many shots on goals went sailing well over the goal. Painful.

Like apologies? No, tina, Honda said Japan will surprise the world. If he meant, we'll do our best, he should have said that. I don't say "I love you" if I don't mean it, and don't say "I'm sorry" if I'm not. Are you suggesting Honda was insincere? On the contrary to Honda, for example, was the coach in question, who stated that Japan had to get its act together after several less-than-optimal friendlies against countries worse than Cote D'Ivoire, and he was absolutely correct. Honda, on the other hand, merely helped give Japan a surprise it certainly did not want. Don't blame language for Japan's performance. How many times have you heard the media here say Japan will make it to the semi-finals? Do you seriously wonder why people are disappointed?

Why don't you be quiet until Japan's destiny is determined.

If Japan didn't pretend they were the best, maybe some self criticism could have helped to improve the weaknesses that let them down in this game

I understand your point, but Japan never pretended they were the best. I bet you don't watch TV in Japanese. I've watched many telling that Japan's rank was the lowest in the group, that low probablity of going to tournament if Japan did not win the first game against Cote d'Voir, that how strong the other teams are, etc. There is misunderstandings about Japanese sentiments among English speakers.

I think many foreigners complain about Japan said we are best, we will win World Cup etc cannot listen Japanese well. Who said japan will win World Cup? Give proof!