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Japan 0 - 0 Croatia

June 18th, 2006 | By: ShiLou | 14 Comments »

What can I say about this match!

Another missed opportunity by Japan to get three points on the board.

The highlights of the match were goalkeeper Kawaguchi saving a penalty in the 22nd minute and Atsushi Yanagisawa missing from about 3 yards in front of goal. Definitely the miss of the tournament in my opinion.

The result leaves Japan rooted to the foot of Group F. And to make matter worst, Japan have a key player in Captain Tsuneyasu Miyamoto suspended for the final game against Brazil so his presence in defence will surely be missed.

It is surely going to be tough against Brazil and unless Japan get three points they will be on the plane back to Japan.

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Comments

By Tom | June 19th, 2006 at 6:50 am

Japan need to win by at least two goals against Brazil to have any hope. Even then, they will rely on a good result in the Australia-Croatia game. Their chances are very, very slim.

Posted from Australia

By Toshihiko Atsuyama | June 19th, 2006 at 8:33 am

Dammit! I’m utterly disappointed with Japan’s World Cup team. I have to be realistic to say that with such a performance, it’s impossible for Japan to even score any goal against Brazil. Anyway, I salute the goalkeeper, Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi. He really was the Man of The Match yesterday, as shown in his penalty saves and other spectacular saves as well. Tsuneyasu Miyamoto’s 2nd yellow card is surely disappointing too… Bye2 then, Japan… I have high hope for you for the next world cup… Don’t disappoint us J-fans in 2010, OK! Ganbatte ne!!! ^_^

Posted from Singapore

By Viral | June 19th, 2006 at 2:35 pm

=(…I am hoping for the best in the Brazil match…go Japan!…but it has been short and sweet nonetheless! If japan doesn’t get into round of 16, I will miss staying up to watch the blue shirts =(

Thanks for the memories…see you in 2010!!!
ps: Kawaguchi rocks my socks

Posted from Australia

By Martin | June 19th, 2006 at 6:18 pm

Japan played well against Croatia and in all honesty should’ve won - how do you miss an open gaol from six yards. Actually he hit nutmegged the keeper and and sent it wide - much harder than tapping it into goal. Strange.

At least you can hold your heads up high Japan.

Posted from United States

By melissa | June 19th, 2006 at 11:22 pm

i am soo sad. i really thought they could come back in this game. and its pretty much impossible for them to get 3 goals against brazil. such sadness! oh well see you in 2010 japan! you played well.. just not great.

Posted from United States

By Euler | June 20th, 2006 at 2:21 am

Oh, man… I feel for you and for Zico. After 1982 he probably wanted to display a good performance for the Japanese fans. Anyway, in football you can’t lose hope. Anything can happen. Of course I hope Brazil will win, but we can be defeated. The Seleção didn’t play well until now, so don’t give up yet!

By Tom Gill | June 20th, 2006 at 3:56 am

While most of the Japanese media have been quite gentle with Zico and his players, I did see him piloried in Nikkan Gendai yesterday. “This man has zero strategic ability” was one remark. He panicked after the Australia defeat and changed the formation, forcing the players to get used to a new one at very short notice. And he is guilty of favoritisｍ－especially with Yanagisawa. This proved fatal against Croatia as Yanagisawa missed a sitter and was substituted again.
Personally, my biggest problem with Zico is more psychological than tactical. Every time you see him, on TV or photographed, fear and depression are etched all over his face. He has looked doomed for years now. When interviewed, he makes no eye contact, instead shifting his gaze around the floor as though worried that a rat might be coming to get him. Japan is a team that tends to play less well than the sum of its individual talents, and we really need a more robust, cheerful, relaxed personality to bring the best out of the team. Someone like Anzai sensei from “Slam Dunk” would be ideal, IMHO. Or maybe Gus Hiddink?

Posted from Japan

By LUXY | June 20th, 2006 at 2:51 pm

As we can see that Japan is not a weak team. There are many potential player in team but i really dissapointed with match between Aus!! How could they let Aus got 3 score, I can’t believe it!! I jz blame on the coach..coz he don know how to plan… Den they try the best to get draw with Croatia, aiks… too bad they are gonna play with Brazil the next match… Although it will be hard fo Japan but I’ll do support Japan…

Posted from Malaysia

By LUXY | June 20th, 2006 at 2:53 pm

I really hope Japan will win coz I jz don wana c Brazil win the every World Cup.. Its time for other group to replace them…

Posted from Malaysia

By jyun | June 22nd, 2006 at 12:22 am

Fight!!yanagisawa

Posted from Japan

By vivian | July 5th, 2006 at 11:00 pm

i think japan played well in this worldcup

Posted from United Kingdom

By funakileo | November 10th, 2006 at 5:43 pm

ok 1st of all, Japan needs to put up a strong structure on their defense, kawaguchis not gonna stop everything, miyamoto, the captain, shuld talk more to the defense(not the offense), since he is the captain. i mean what the hell is wrong with zico, he doesnt realize that he can use oguro to secure their win, all i can say is that we were careless for all of the matches and we’ll probably never be able to win the world cup. its also scientifically proven because european teams like, england, germany, italy, france, spain, portugal, etc. are strong because a personal body trainer for the japanese national team had had experiences with european teams and said that european soccer players significally had more butt muscles. dont laugh this is all true, the key to ball control and strong, accurate shots are…. trainning ur butt muscles, i hope this is a lesson to everyone around the world
-leo

Posted from United States

By bobby | March 10th, 2008 at 10:23 pm

BRAZIL IS SOOOO MUCH BETTER THAN JAPAN>>>>GO BRAZIL.