Japan versus England: Japanese chances in FIFA 2010 World Cup
Japan is one team that is extremely under rated for the World Cup in South Africa by football critics and fans alike. It is predicted that Japan would finish in the mid twenties at the end. However, let it be reminded that Japan, which may have a lesser number of stars in comparison to other countries in the world, works just as good as any other in form team.
They have just two star forwards; one is Keisuke Honda who plays CSKA Moscow in the Russian League and the other is Takayuki Morimoto who is playing for Calcio Catania. Apart from them, all other players either play in the Japanese league or in the North Korean league. Both players are being considered for transfer deals with big clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal at the moment. Despite these odds, Japan has managed to upset many teams in order to reach the final stages of the World Cup with impressive results in comparison to their standards. Such an example was set in their recent match against England.
In Japan’s 2-1 defeat, the English team was barely able to win in the end. The Japanese striker scored an early goal against ‘The Three Lions’ to set the pressure on and the pressure indeed mounted by time. The English played aggressively and attacked the Japanese goal with impunity but the attempts were futile in the end. However luck soon gave the English side a break when Joe Cole’s cross was headed clumsily into the net by a Japanese defender and the English equalized with the help of an on-goal. The second goal too came by an awkward attempt in deep defence. Ashley Cole was crossing for a header when the ball got deflected and went in to the back of the net once again.
The Japanese goal keeper seems pretty good too. He made a perfect save on a penalty by Frank Lampard and in comparison to the English game; the Japanese scored a fine goal on corner.
English defender John Terry is convinced that the Blue Samurais have the capability to reach the semi-finals. After all, they are not placed in that tough a group. Anyway, Okada has the same intentions and has constantly said that it would be his first aim.
Terry knew what he was predicting when he said, “That is a pretty big statement to have made but on today’s performance from the players they can cause problems, definitely".
Further complementing the side, Terry explained, “I’m not at all surprised and I realized they were a good side and have got lots of good, sharp players”. He then added, “In the first half they were better than us and we came strong in the end and got better as the game went on”.
Now the Japanese coach Takeshi Okada is planning to get each person of his team a chance to play and get ready before the tournament. He has adjusted a friendly match with Ivory Coast in Sion this Friday and is planning to play all his reserves from his 2- man-squad.
The Blue Samurai have been defeated in four of their last five games including the close call with England. Okada is also using this extra match to try out some new strategies he has planned. He told that planning on developing better game play in the team is important. The coach is going to advance with a formation of 4-1-4-1 strategy.
The Nippon Daihyo has their opening World Cup match against Cameroon in Bloemfontein on the 14th of June. After getting some extra time against Ivory Coast, they start their campaign against Portugal on the 15th of June.
Okada explaining his tactics when he said, “I want to give everyone a run-out.” He further explained by saying, “Both sides will give the reserve players a game".
The Blue Samurais, if perform accordingly, are capable of giving anyone a tough ride. They will have difficulty in scoring goals on the South African turf but can face it with their team work and make plays and counter attacks. They are placed in Group E with Netherlands, Cameroon and Denmark. All teams have good defence and a lot will be expected from Shunsuke Nakamura who has the remarkable ability to score on free-kicks.
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