By Mike Tuckerman
February 3rd 2009 @ 3:18am
Japan on the ropes ahead of Socceroos clash
Backed into a corner, a shaken Muhammed Ali was desperate to avoid Joe Frazier’s crushing left hook. Fifteen rounds of brutal boxing had left Ali on the ropes, and a venomous Frazier was circling his older opponent with the smell of victory in his nostrils.
Suddenly Frazier launched a thunderous left hook that sent Ali crashing to the canvas.
Ali staggered to his feet, but the damage had been done. Joe Frazier was the undisputed Heavyweight champion of the world.
It may not be a repeat of the “Fight Of The Century,” but Japan are already on the ropes going into their World Cup qualifier with Australia in Yokohama.
The blow that left Japan dazed and confused was a 1-0 Asian Cup qualifying defeat to Bahrain in Manama that has once again ramped up the pressure on coach Takeshi Okada.
Okada was already unpopular with large sections of the Japanese media, but Japan’s second defeat to Bahrain in seven fixtures has prompted many outlets to call for his head.
If Japan lose to Australia in Yokohama, Takeshi Okada could be out of a job.
A friend of mine is a youth team coach at a prominent J. League club, and last week I had an illuminating conversation with him about the pressures of his job.
He made the interesting point that Japanese fans are sometimes quick to dismiss poor results as long as they can see that a system is being formulated.
That’s why Japan’s former coach Ivica Osim was so popular in his adopted homeland.
The trouble for Takeshi Okada is that he has no system in place.
His much-vaunted midfield – which relies heavily on retaining possession in the centre of the park – is misfiring badly.
Up front the Blue Samurai are crying out for a striker who can score goals on a regular basis.
It all bodes well for Pim Verbeek and his team as Australia prepares to run out in cauldron-like atmosphere at Yokohama International Stadium.
Verbeek will do well to ward off any complacency, but he shouldn’t have too many problems. All the pressure is on Japan.
With one of the world’s largest and most vociferous media industries often itching to talk up their team’s chances, Japan haven’t had much to celebrate since their first-round World Cup exit in 2006.
Hailing from a fiercely proud nation, Okada will be desperate for a decent showing when the Blue Samurai take on Finland in a friendly at the National Stadium in Tokyo a week before the Socceroos hit town.
He has added four more European-based stars to his squad, while Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Junichi Inamoto remains the only overseas-based player from the side that lost to Bahrain.
Worryingly for Japan, their two most experienced goalkeepers are both injured, meaning that 25-year-old Kawasaki Frontale goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima will start between the posts.
Kawashima is rated the best young goalkeeper in Japan, but the absence of veteran number one Seigo Narazaki is an undoubted blow, while the error-prone Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi is also sidelined.
Marcus Tulio Tanaka and Yasuhito Endo are not fully fit, and although both are expected to start in Yokohama, the Japanese are far from tip-top shape.
It’s not quite a title fight, and nor will the fate of both nation’s World Cup chances hinge on the outcome in Yokohama.
Pim Verbeek, in particular, can afford to lose.
He won’t want to, of course, but much like a certain Muhammed Ali, it has been Japan doing most of the talking in the build-up to this clash.
With so much pride at stake, Australia are standing over Japan like a snarling Joe Frazier – looking to land a hammer blow.
If the Socceroos manage to take three points, Takeshi Okada can expect to cop it squarely on the chin.
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Kazama said | February 3rd 2009 @ 7:57am | Report comment
Thanks Mike, great article.
I have to say I am feeling very confident of the boys going to Japan and getting three points. The chances of either side qualifying may not rest on the result of this game, but a win for Australia will mean that we are pretty much there. Verbeek said we only need six more points – three in Japan and suddenly Australia v Uzbekistan would be the hottest ticket in town.
Dickroo said | February 3rd 2009 @ 8:57am | Report comment
0-0 looks like a decent result – with no preparation time at all, Emerton, Chipper, Kewell out, others key players like Carney, Sterjovski, Wilkshire, Kennedy and Garcia are not playing. and Grella just came back.
The in form players are Cahill, Bresciano, Moore, Neill, Culina, McDonald, the key to unlock the Japanese defense is once again on the shoulder of Cahill. Will he play the CF role in Pim’s patent 4-5-1 away formation? Will he feel great after bruised foot, 2 matches per week in EPL and long flight to Japan?
If McDonald or Kennedy plays the lone striker, the chance to win the game is really low. Will Pim look Djite for answer?
Such a big game, can’t wait.
Ben of Phnom Penh said | February 3rd 2009 @ 12:12pm | Report comment
Okada was hardly an inspired choice by the JFA and had the enigmatic Osim still been at the helm I would have much more concern about us getting even a point from this game. Unfortunately Okada has placed all the pressure on his squad, declaring that they should be looking at the quarter finals in South Africa when they have yet to qualify. As Osim would say, he keeps talking about rabbits.
Given Japan’s problems in front of goals (set pieces aside) I’m a little surprised Takayuki Morimoto didn’t earn a call up.
At the end of the day this match won’t decide things as it is the matches against the remaining three that are viewed as “6 pointers”. Still, it is a chance for us to move one step closer and to write another chapter in our growing rivalry. If nothing else, it will be fun.
thisisanfield said | February 3rd 2009 @ 3:16pm | Report comment
Japan are looking horrible. We will smash them just like in the cup. They are crap. 6-0 to the kookaburras
dasilva said | February 3rd 2009 @ 4:49pm | Report comment
You know what I think I agree with Okada about wanting to shut Australia (or at least Lucas neill) up. He’s at it again with another chest beating comment about Australia having “the mental edge” over Japan.
dasilva said | February 3rd 2009 @ 4:51pm | Report comment
In any case we shouldn’t be getting too much confident after Japan poor loss against Bahrain. After all we almost done the same as well. Bahrain are a good team and Japan only had one european player and no Nakamura
Sam said | February 3rd 2009 @ 5:11pm | Report comment
We were very much exposed against Bahrain in the last game, and I am fearful we will be again in Japan. The players look a little tired to me. I will take a draw in this game, and get ready for the next 2 matches in Australia. These are the games that will detrmine our fate.
Midfielder said | February 3rd 2009 @ 6:08pm | Report comment
Squad
Mark BRESCIANO – U.S. Citta di Palermo, ITALY – 46 (11)
Tim CAHILL – Everton, ENGLAND – 30 (14)
David CARNEY – Sheffield United FC, ENGLAND – 17 (1)
Scott CHIPPERFIELD – FC Basel, SWITZERLAND – 58 (12)
Chris COYNE – Colchester United FC, ENGLAND – 5 (0)
Jason CULINA – PSV Eindhoven, HOLLAND – 36 (1)
Adam FEDERICI – Reading FC, ENGLAND – 0
Richard GARCIA – Hull City FC, ENGLAND – 2 (0)
Vincenzo GRELLA – Blackburn Rovers, ENGLAND – 36 (0)
Brett HOLMAN – AZ Alkmaar, HOLLAND – 21 (1)
Mile JEDINAK – Genclerbirligi SK, TURKEY – 3 (0)
Josh KENNEDY – Karlsruher SC, GERMANY – 10 (5)
Scott MCDONALD – Celtic FC, SCOTLAND – 10 (0)
Craig MOORE – Queensland Roar, AUSTRALIA – 41 (3)
Lucas NEILL – West Ham United FC, ENGLAND – 46 (0)
Jade NORTH – Incheon United FC, KOREA REPUBLIC – 23 (0)
Michael PETKOVIC – Sivasspor, TURKEY – 6 (0)
Mark SCHWARZER – Fulham FC, ENGLAND – 63 (0)
Shane STEFANUTTO – FC Lyn Oslo, NORWAY – 1 (0)
Mile STERJOVSKI – Derby County FC, ENGLAND – 39 (7)
Carl VALERI – U.S. Grosseto FC, ITALY – 14 (0)
Luke WILKSHIRE – FK Dinamo Moscow, RUSSIA – 31 (0)
Ben of Phnom Penh said | February 3rd 2009 @ 6:17pm | Report comment
I would have liked to have seen Spiranovic in for Coyne, Djite in for Garcia, Jamieson in for Stefanutto and maybe Triosi in for Sterjovski.
Midfielder said | February 3rd 2009 @ 6:30pm | Report comment
Ben
Do not understand how Steffanutto was picked ahead of Jamieson TBH. Makes no sense IMO, Steffanutto hasn’t played at all since before Xmas.
Troisi is a touch unlucky, has been playing regularly and well for Genclerbiligi, but I guess he’s a victim of us having a glut of attacking midfield options.
Jedi started the 2 matches he’s been there for I think 2 games, 2 starts, 2 wins to Genclerbiligi,
Agree on Spiranovic in for Coyne, but back Pim on Garcia this kids deserves his chance… as for Djite who do you leave out its like Troisi a glut of similar players..
Interesting Genclerbiligi,have Jedi & Troisi as their center mids Jedi the DM and Troisi the AM and both look to have cemented themselves in the side … Djite playing as a striker in front of them, but he is more a squad player than a first team regular, they are coming third in the league maybe a future combination for the Socceroos … a very interesting position..
dasilva said | February 3rd 2009 @ 6:44pm | Report comment
Spiranovic is injured and now resting in australia.
From 442
“Those on standby in addition to Kewell are James Troisi, Bruce Djite, Jacob Burns and back in from the international cold (perhaps) Nicky Carle.”
Steffanutto. We don’t really know how well he impress pim in training last time and Jamieson didn’t have the greatest of match against Indonesia
I would have love Jamieson to be there but I’m very curious in what Steffanutto is like as I haven’t seem much of him.
Midfielder said | February 3rd 2009 @ 6:45pm | Report comment
Das
Thanks…. also Vargas must be a tad unlucky as IMO he was our MOM against Indonesia.
Midfielder said | February 3rd 2009 @ 6:50pm | Report comment
Das / Tow / Mil / Dave / Pip the Jims / KB/ Norms Ben / & others
Appreciate your thoughts on Genclerbiligi, with Jedi , Troisis & Djite in the one team .. if they buy a couple more they could become a sorta friend a mutual relationship may develop …
Midfielder said | February 3rd 2009 @ 7:09pm | Report comment
Ben
More of my thoughts on Djite and the squad we have 3 DMs who’ve all been in the starting XI. We’ve got 4 or 5 AM’s (or AM’s who can also play out wide) and we’ve only got 2 strikers (3 if you count Holman there). JK is underdone. Scotty doesn’t seem to be Pim’s first choice, especially as a lone striker.
Hopefully Kool makes the trip, still our most important player IMO … just depends on whether he plays in Turkey this weekend.
dasilva said | February 3rd 2009 @ 7:10pm | Report comment
Mid
I also think Eugene Galekovic was unlucky as well. Petkovic – he may be in good form right now in Turkey but when ever he plays for Australia he seems out of his depth.
However I have a feeling that Pim’s reasoning is that the 2 leg of A-league finals series is only couple days before (for the 1st leg) and couple of days after (for the 2nd leg) the WCQ with Japan. So picking A-league players will distrupt their preparation and performance for their clubs and so no point picking them unless they are going to start the match such as Craig Moore. To me that’s fair enough.
“Appreciate your thoughts on Genclerbiligi, with Jedi , Troisis & Djite in the one team ”
It may develop an understanding between players. It certainly can’t do us any harm.
Remember Uruguay and Viduka knew exactly what’s Kewell was doing and backheeled to him which led to the goal. Years of playing together at Leeds done a lot of good in that match (even if there are rumours that they don’t like each other)
Other type of friendships develops from playing extensively in the same clubs involve Lucas Neill and TIm Cahill from Millwall, Grella and Bresciano from AIS, Carlton, Empoli and Parma. Who knows how much those relationships help the national team.
Hopefully that type of understanding develops between those three players at Genclerbiligi (and lets hope they decide to buy Nathan Burns as well). Perhaps a strike partnership of Troisi and Djite may be the future of Australian Football.
dasilva said | February 3rd 2009 @ 7:41pm | Report comment
It looks like my prediction on Pim’s reasoning is right
“I was very pleased with what I saw from some players in the Indonesia game but again Indonesia away is different than Japan away,” Verbeek said.
“Yeah they did (impress), but so far they were not better than the players I have.”
Despite Moore being the only local in his list of 22, which will be trimmed to 18 the day before the game, Verbeek claimed A-League players had not been snubbed, saying the A-League finals should be the focus.
“Normally I can take 24 players so it’s not so difficult to take players from the A-League over there, some of them really deserve it,” Verbeek said.
“But as you all know there is also the semi-finals coming up and some teams play (next) Friday (meaning) they come back on Friday morning and then play Friday night.
“I will only select A-League players I am more or less 100 per cent sure that they will be in the final 18 and at this moment I think I have enough players with experience and enough quality.”
Joe FC said | February 3rd 2009 @ 8:57pm | Report comment
Midfielder
re Genclerbirligi with Mile, James & Bruce…I think dasilva has summed it up rather well. On field chemistry is more important than the dressing room particularly the higher the standard of play.
Mackey said | February 3rd 2009 @ 9:15pm | Report comment
It’s scary when Australia go into matches as favourites, i’ll be happy with a point!
Ryan Steele said | February 4th 2009 @ 1:09am | Report comment
Japan have had a poor showing in their forward line for up and beyond a decade; this all being because so many J. League coaches fill their foreign allowance with forwards, which cushions, or smothers, the Japanese form. J. League awards are consistently given to foreigners, which may make them feel like the EPL, but really hinders the spotlight on Japanese players from the potential “gaijin” scouts, and probably Okada.
I wouldn’t be surprised if their strikeforce was made up of Tanaka and Okubo, and probably Maki sitting on the bench. Japan’s goal threats are commonly from the midfield, though, and that is where their international stock is most prominent. Both Japan and Australia’s squads should be known as ‘The Usual Suspects’, in reality, after regularly seeing the same faces on both sides of the water. I feel like that won’t change for some time, unless a soon-to-come mass exodus to the land of retirement occurs for both squads.
AKITOD said | February 4th 2009 @ 2:27pm | Report comment
I’ll say this. Last time Japan played with a full strength side, was a convincing 3-0 demolition of Qatar where Japan showed no weakness of any sort whatsoever. Now Qatar are not the best side going around but the evidence of Japan’s poor form (loss to Bahrain) was when Japan had none of their top midfielders. And furthermore no playmaker, a position which Japan for years have always counted on to control the game. So I believe the media and australian fans (with a few exceptions) have put an idea out there that Japan NT is in disarray. The games against Syria and Qatar showed that Okada’s system (yes I believe he has one) only works with the top 13/14 players. Okada’s system isn’t a footballing mentality, more a personalised plan for Japan. Which is why it took so long to get right cause it took trial and error. Pim Verbeek understands this. Japan play Finland tonight. While that game will not include any of the european players, Japan will have a true playmaker on the field in Yasuhito Endo. Just his presence and passing ability will improve the attack and make the team more calmer on the ball.
Somebody pointed out that Cahill should be the CF in the 4-2-3-1 formation. While he’s in great goalscoring form for everton, most of his goals are headers because opposition defences mark taller players. I think Josh Kennedy would be the best player to lead that formation if not for his danger at set pieces.
Mike Tuckerman said | February 4th 2009 @ 3:33pm | Report comment
You raise some good points AKITOD, although I’m not sure that blaming the Australian media for suggesting that Japan are in disarray is entirely on the money. Takeshi Okada’s record speaks for itself, and it’s not a particularly good one.
As for Japan lacking their “top midfielders” against Bahrain, it begs the question of why perennial starter Kengo Nakamura or the recently impressive Keisuke Honda are even picked in the squad to begin with (and indeed, Honda has been overlooked for the World Cup qualifier).
I do agree with you that Pim Verbeek won’t under-estimate Japan. Of course he knows the country well from his time at Omiya Ardija and Kyoto Sanga, and he’ll also know just how motivated Japan will be going into this match.
This game won’t be a cake-walk for either side. Instead I think it will be a tense, tough, hard-fought battle throughout.