2 Aug 2007(Thu)

July 31,2007: The less said about the Japan-Korea match the better.

But here’s a few words before it is consigned to the history books – and I am sure the JFA would strike it from all records if possible.

I thought the match was a shambles and, at times, an embarrassment for Japanese football. The harder they tried, the worse they got – and the referee put everyone out of their misery by blowing his whistle to end extra time.

Neither side wanted to be there, but unfortunately there were two important reasons why the match was worth winning.

First, it was Japan against Korea.

Second, the winner would book a place in the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar – one of six automatic qualifiers, note – and therefore do away with the hassle of qualifying during World Cup year in 2010.

Despite this, I am still surprised Osim made only one change to the team, a midfielder, Yamagishi, for a forward, Maki, leaving Takahara on his own again up front.

This formation did not work against Qatar, and it did not work against Korea as it left Japan short on numbers in a crucial area. No wonder they rarely looked like scoring.

I thought Osim should have made wholesale changes to freshen up the team and give the regulars a rest before returning to their clubs. Had Japan lost in those circumstances it would have been more palatable, but to lose, albeit on penalties, with his top team undid a lot of the good work that had gone before.

I was feeling quite positive after the group stage, after the win against Australia and even after the defeat against the Saudis.

But Saturday’s game was one too many. As the match progressed, everything pointed to a Korea win. The point-blank block by Lee from Nakazawa; the red card for Kang, giving the Koreans every excuse to retreat; Hanyu’s shot striking the defender, who wasn’t even looking; the smooth penalty-taking of the Koreans…

So it was left to Hanyu to join the long list of grief-stricken players who have missed in a penalty shootout.

He should forget about it as quickly as possible, while the rest of Japan should try and forget that this play-off ever took place.

ends