The Soccer Blog: Japan

Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts

Tuesday, 19 July 2011

USA v. Japan Match Report

After twists and turns befitting a Broadway drama the curtain finally fell on the United States’ hopes of lifting the Women’s World Cup. But, it was the steely antagonists Japan who had the final triumph on this day, defeating the U.S.A. 3-1 on penalties in a heartbreaking storyline that was also appropriate to this year’s tournament.

It was clear that Pia Sundhage had instructed her women to go right after Japan and the U.S.A. started brightly with Cheney getting shots in the 1st and 8th minutes. Indeed, within the first 20 minutes Japan were finding it hard to get into any rhythm as Carli Lloyd kept trying her luck from distance and the U.S.A. had already racked up seven shots. Hardly any of them were on goal however and squandering chances quickly became the theme of the first half from the Americans’ point of view. The best chance of the half came when the immense Wambach blasted against the crossbar with her left foot from 20 yards out. Scores were level at the break but Japan were slowly working themselves into confident passing and possession play.

After the interval Alex Morgan replaced Cheney who had picked up an ankle injury and the substitute made an immediate impact, going close but hitting the woodwork again from close — it seemed the Americans were doing everything they could to score but failing to capitalize again. Japan were asserting themselves now and showing the world why they earned the ‘giant-killer’ nickname as they whipped in a corner on 56 minutes that zipped dangerously past Hope Solo’s goalmouth without anyone there to apply the final touch.

The game was end to end with both teams pressing and possession at 50% each when the breakthrough came for the Americans. The very impressive Rapinoe got hold of the ball deep in her defensive end after a Japanese attack and picked out Alex Morgan, the lone counter-attacking player with a 60 yard ball. Morgan, only 22 years old, got around her defender skillfully and showed real class by running onto the pass and finishing with aplomb in the bottom right corner past the diving Kaihori.

The lead only lasted 12 minutes as Japan equalized on the 81st minute and made the Americans rue all those missed chances in the first half. Miyama hit home after the two American centerbacks made a hash of clearing out of their 6 yard box. Japan were fully deserving of their equalizer and had earned the extra time.

In extra time, the U.S.A. continued to exploit their size and try the long ball strategy when on the 104th minute, the talisman Wambach scored surely what would be the winner. Morgan beat her defenders in the box near the byline and crossed superbly to the flat-footed Wambach who only needed steer the ball with her head into the back of the net.

Surely this is what World Cup glory tastes like? Surely this was the time for Wambach’s generation to stop being jealous of the Hamm generation and lift the cup for themselves? Japan had other ideas.

The never-say-die Americans conceded once again to the never-say-die Japanese and we were all level at 2-2 with penalties an inevitability. Morgan was brought down just outside the 18 by Iwashimizu but her dismissal by the referee could have but little impact because it came so late.

Before the penalty phase the Americans must have felt confident with Hope Solo having such a formidable presence in goal, but putting the ball in the net turned out to be their undoing. Shannon Boxx, Lloyd, and substitute Tobin Heath all missed their penalties and Japan would never look back. Wambach netted her chance, but once again, misses cost the United States.

Full credit to Japan, a team rocked by personal loss and adversity given the earthquake and tsunami disaster was able to surmount 1-goal deficits twice on the world’s biggest stage against the world’s best team.

Written by: Tom Yonker, WWC correspondent, soccerprose.com

View the original article here

Wednesday, 6 April 2011

Spain invited To Play In The Copa America As Japan Pull Out

The World and European champions Spain have been asked to replace Japan in the Copa America this summer.

This opens up the possibility of the number one nation playing Argentina and Brazil in competitive fixtures.

Japan have withdrawn because of the earthquake and tsunami which destroyed the east coast of the country.

The tournament contains the 10 members of the Conmebol federation plus two other countries from other associations, usually Mexico and the USA.

But Japan’s late withdrawal has opened up the possibility of Spain entering and being in a group with the hosts Argentina, Bolivia and Colombia.

But the Spanish soccer federation president Angel Maria Villar will have to pass it by the board as there will be a number of administration difficulties.

“Yesterday we received the official invitation, and we don’t rule it out,” Villar said at an event in Barcelona, according to local media.

“Next week or the week after we will determine at a meeting of the board of directors whether we will accept the invitation.

“I don’t rule anything out when the request is made with affection and love, but at the same time taking into account the difficulties,” he added.

“That doesn’t mean we are going or not, but as president I have the obligation to take it to the board.”

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loading..., 9.5 out of 10 based on 2 ratings Tagged Under: Angel Maria Villar, Argentina, Brazil, Copa America, Japan, Spain

Tuesday, 5 April 2011

Japan withdraws from Copa America

Japan has pulled out of the 2011 Copa America, leaving the 12-team competition one country short with three months left until kick-off.

The Japanese Football Association made the decision to withdraw as the country recovers from the devastating earthquake and tsunami of March 17.

The Japanese FA originally intended to postpone domestic J-League fixtures during the Copa America.

But the natural disaster has caused a halt to the J-League, meaning matches must now be rescheduled during the South American tournament.

“The priority at this moment is to continue saving lives and rebuilding the country after the earthquake and tsunami,” Japanese FA president Junji Ogura said.

“We are sorry to be pulling out because we recognise that we have advanced in football by being close to South American (teams).”

Japan and Mexico were invited to join the 10 South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) teams in the line-up for the 2011 edition of the competition.

Japan’s decision not to attend leaves CONMEBOL searching for a replacement, with the competition scheduled to start in Argentina on July 1.

World and European Champions Spain have already been touted by the Argentine media as a potential replacement.

The United States, which has participated on three occasions in the past and finished fourth in 1995, could also be in contention.

“CONMEBOL will make a final decision relying on the consensus of its members,” a spokesman for the federation said.

The CONMEBOL spokesman also suggested Costa Rica or Canada as potential replacements, adding that Japan would be invited to attend again in 2015.

Tue 5 April, 2011

Wednesday, 30 March 2011

Japan 2-1 J-League All Stars: Highlights (Video)

no comments by Mad Dog and Glory on March 29th, 2011

The Japanese national team took on an all star eleven in this charity match to help raise money for the victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami.

Monday, 14 March 2011

Japan to host two friendlies

Japan have confirmed that two international friendlies will go ahead later this month despite the earthquake and tsunami.

Japan Football Association general secretary Kozo Tashima said the matches against Montenegro on March 25 at the Shizuoka Stadium, southwest of Tokyo, and New Zealand in Tokyo four days later would go ahead.

The devastating 8.9-earthquake and 10-metre tsunami that submerged the country’s northeast coast on Friday has left an estimated death toll of more than 10,000.

“It would mean something to stage these games, more than ever,” the Kyodo news agency reported Tashima saying at the JFA headquarters in Tokyo.

“We will hold it in Shizuoka of course, and I think having the game in Tokyo will really mean something. The matches are still two weeks away and we need to send a message to the rest of the world.”

“The images people are seeing on CNN and what not, the world probably doesn’t have an accurate view of what Tokyo is like at the moment.”

“We need to inform people that Tokyo is functional, that the city is okay and order is being restored in Tokyo again.”

“The entire Japanese football community needs to help the country get back on its feet again,” Tashima added. “Not just soccer, but I think the whole sports world in Japan needs to step up for the nation.”

NZF chairman Frank van Hattum said the JFA told him they were keen for the match at Tokyo’s National Stadium, which has been sold out, to go ahead as planned.

Tokyo had been relatively unaffected, he said, and there were suggestions the match could be used as a joint fundraiser for Japan and Christchurch, which is recovering from a deadly earthquake on February 22.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand under-17 men’s team will travel to Japan on Tuesday as planned for an international tournament without their Japanese counterparts.

The 16-team Sanix Cup will see the Young All Whites play six games in four days in Fukuoka, on the southern island of Kyushu, and is the first leg of an Asian tour that also takes in two games against Qatar’s Aspire Academy in Doha.

The JFA suspended the weekend’s J-League fixtures and two matches in the AFC Champions League were also postponed.

Mon 14 March, 2011