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No.

 

I've been following Japan for a few years now, and they're definitely coming along. Mercifully, the Miura Kazuyoshi days are over. The only time the Japanese team played well was when he was off due to fouls or injuries, otherwise it was 'leave it to Kazu, he's the ace' - only he wasn't actually very good at putting goals in, unless the opponent was Mongolia. Sadly, Japan's commentators didn't seem to notice this glaring fact. The first time he ever got substituted in an international game, he pointed to his nose and said "Ore?!!", and from the benches in the 11 household came loud shouts of "Yeah you! You f@@cking primadonna! Get off!" (Actually though, Kazu's sister Aika is a real star.)

 

Watching the Japan team sitting about on the ground crying when they failed to qualify last time round really tried the patience of an Englishman. There was quite a clamour from the benches then too.

 

Now they're not afraid to score goals - the two last night were very good examples of how to do it. (Belgium's overhead goal was also great - but Japan's defense shoulda seen that one coming). They've started using long passes on the attack, something they never used to try, and although they're still not that good at it, it's an improvement. And they were menacing right up till the end, although without that desperation that characterised earlier Japan end-games.

 

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In the first half, Missus 11 pointed out that among the Japanese team, there was not a single player either with hair or with black hair. Indeed, black hair only appeared in the second half.

 

What kind of gum does Troussier chew? He and his sidekick certainly chew a lot, big lumps too by the looks of it. Does he ever choke on it I wonder?

 

Why isn't Nakata captain? Although he wasn't wearing the yellow armband, he seemed to be captaining the team, explaining plays at the end of half-time, calling his team-mates 'baka' when they let goals in, and fraternizing with other countries' players. (He's much more cool than Beckham, and probably a lot smarter too.)

 

Japan's jersey is badly designed. From a distance, that grey panel looks like sweat-soaked material. They all look like the heat is getting to them, even though they must be used to it.

 

Has Kawaguchi had his day? He seems like a throw-back to the Miura days, sitting glumly on the bench.

 

[This message has been edited by Ocean11 (edited 05 June 2002).]

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Great game.

 

They looked even worse than England at the back, but were very positive going forward. The first goal was jammy, but the second was a classic. Great to see a Japanese player beat his man and shoot with aplomb. A real sign of progress. Santos looked lively too when he came on. A couple of bad decisions went against them (the hack on Yanagizawa and Inamoto's second) though the Belgians too could have had a penalty. The ball had gone, but there was definite contact.

 

I wonder how many Japanese watched London Hearts instead of the Korea game. Kalbi Macs aside, there seems like no encouragement for them to take any interest in the cohosts, without whom the tournament probably wouldn't be here.

 

Japanese kid smashes ticket office door. Does that make him a hooligan?

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