13 Sep 2007(Thu)

Tokyo, September 11, 2007: One point gained or two points lost?

That is the question being asked after Japan’s 0-0 draw away to Saudi Arabia in their Olympic qualifier on Saturday.

Before the game, a goalless draw would have been regarded as a good result, but when the Saudis were reduced to 10 men on 63 minutes, the tide turned in Japan’s favour. Unexpectedly, Japan now had a good chance to take all three points.

They could not manage it, but this does not mean the 0-0 result should be taken as two points lost.

I still regard it as a satisfactory result away from home, and sets Japan up nicely for a crack at Qatar on Wednesday night.

Teams having a man sent off can often lift their game. They feel hard done by, they run more for each other, they move up a gear in motivation as they will be regarded as heroes if they can hold on to what they’ve got, or do even better.

I thought the Saudis did this, and played well with 10 men, but they will still view the match as two points lost, not one point gained at home.

Sorimachi’s selection was interesting, not just for dropping Hirayama but also for bringing in Uchida on the right flank and moving Mizuno further forward, alongside Ienaga and behind the lone striker Morishima.

Uchida played well, as he has done all his career at Kashima, but Mizuno was less effective in this more central role. I must admit I prefer to see Mizuno bombing up the right flank, taking defenders on his with pace or cutting inside and letting fly from distance.

It was reassuring to see Inoha back from injury at libero, although Sorimachi retained Mizumoto as his captain. The back three of Aoyama, Inoha and Mizumoto must be as good as it gets in this final stage of Olympic qualifying, and the problems for Japan lie further forward; not in scoring goals but in controlling the midfield.

Sorimachi must now decide whether to restore Mizuno to the right flank at the expense of Uchida, and bring in a second striker alongside Morishima for the home game against Qatar.

Japan are still on course for Beijing with four points from two games, but they need all three against Qatar at Kokuritsu with their next two matches away from home.

ends