15 Jun 2009(Mon)

June 12, 2009: The 1-1 draw with Qatar was quite predictable in the end.

A team already qualified for the World Cup and struggling for motivation against an opponent with everything to play for but not good enough to get it.

Still, it was a very disappointing performance by Japan, who one minute looked too casual and relaxed and the next minute too exhausted to keep going.

If they play like this on Wednesday against Australia at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground, they could be in for a hiding -- if the Aussies can motivate themselves to the required level and have the ambition and adventure to win handsomely; an approach they shunned in the 0-0 draw at Yokohama when they showed Japan far too much respect and almost paid the price at the death.

I don't know why Okada/Oki kept Shunsuke on so long against Qatar, replacing him only in the 81st minute. He was clearly fatigued and suffering, but still he stayed on when it should have been time for a summer holiday.

Captain Nakazawa had a bad day at the office -- but at least it came in a meaningless match for Japan, with the pressure off -- and Okazaki spent more time trying to win free kicks than he did actually trying to score a goal; a very unsavoury aspect of Japan's game, I'm afraid.

The biggest disappointment for me, though, was Abe, who was given a chance to shine in central midfield in the absence of Endo and Hasebe.

Unfortunately, even Abe fell foul of the nonsense football that continues to plague Japan, as he gave the ball away carelessly in midfield with an attempted flick to a defender; way too casual, and an error that would have been punished by a better team.

Abe is a much better player than that, and although he tried to make amends with some good defensive work, the damage had been done and he was withdrawn before the hour.

Overall I thought Hashimoto was Japan's best player; he was busy, business-like and tidy, which was enough on the night to overshadow most of his teammates.

Having scored so early, through an own goal, Japan thought they could cruise, and a misplaced arrogance crept into their game. This is not nice to watch, and they should remember where they are in the world and where they are trying to go.

A sound defeat at the hands of Australia might be just what they need to bring them back to earth after qualification, and refocus them on the incredibly difficult challenges that lie ahead.

ends