Japan sank to a 3-0 loss to Holland, after making a bright start and looking the better team over the opening 45 minutes. Unfortunately, they did not manage to convert this into any goals. Holland responded with some rough tackles, before settling into their rhythm in the second half and running out as comfortable winners.
Although Grampus forward Keiji Tamada worked tirelessly and kept the Dutch defenders at full stretch, he had only one speculative shot to his name. Shinji Okazaki also looked lively, and had Japan's best chance of the half, but failed to control a lofted pass from Nakamura that should have seen Japan take the lead early on. This inability to make control of a passage of play count, does not bode well for the team's chances of progressing far in next year's World Cup. In particular, manager Okada must be frustrated that Japan looked far better in the first half, with Tamada dropping back to link up with the midfield, than in the second when he was replaced by Keisuke Honda. After several inspiring performances for VVV this season, a lot was expected from Honda, but he reverted to the curiously ineffective displays we saw for the Japan U-22's a couple of years ago.
The Japanese View
The Dutch View
Other Views
Goal.com: Netherlands 3-0 Japan: Orange Dominate
AFP: Dutch coach apologises to Japanese
Nagoya Grampus blog with news and views about Nagoya Grampus (Eight) and Japanese football. (Archives of previous musings on all things Grampus can be found in the original Grampalog. See the Links section below.)
League Champions: 2010. Emperor's Cup Winners: 1995, 1999.
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