From left, Japan’s Keisuke Honda, Japan’s Yasuhito Endo during the World Cup Group E soccer match between Denmark and Japan at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa, Thursday, June 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Now that the Socceroos and New Zealand are out, attention in this part of the world turns to our neighbours, Japan and South Korea, who have taken another leap for the new world by making it through their groups.
After the Socceroos’ rousing win over Serbia and South Korea’s comprehensive dissection of Greece on Matchday 1, Japan’s eye-catching display against Denmark yesterday morning was the best of the lot, a clinical combination of technique, poise, pace and precision.
The key words being poise and precision, two words not traditionally associated with teams form these parts, but more on that later.
It may even suggest there is a shift in the world order, and that our part of the world is catching up.
Admittedly, none of these victories have come against traditional European superpowers. They have come against the second tier.
Throw in New Zealand’s draws against Slovakia, Italy and Paraguay, and the USA’s sterling efforts so far, and you have further evidence that the gap between the supposed “haves” and “have-nots” is narrowing, and fast.
Coming into this World Cup, one of my real hopes was that Asia could continue to make the world sit up and take notice. The hope was that at least two Asian nations could get out of their group, with one to go on and make the quarter finals.
Part one achieved, with South Korea and Japan jumping the first hurdle, with a decent chance that at least one, more likely Japan, can get through their Round of 16 clash.
Admittedly, both had decent draws. If everything clicked, they could entertain serious thought of getting out of their groups.
Japan looked to be in massive trouble before the World Cup with Takeshi Okada under all sorts of scrutiny, but the adversity has likely served as a motivator, with Okada moulding a very fluid and organised unit. They don’t just play, they play to a plan.
After disappointing campaigns four years ago, both have bounced back in a big way. Lessons for the Roos as we build towards Brazil ’14.
To those that have followed the development of the Japanese game, and there are many across Australia, you’ll agree it’s been coming.
Technically, after being drilled by the Brazilians for a couple of decades, they are now as good on the ball as anyone in world football, Brazilians included.
To those in Australia that have been watching the Asian Champions League since our A-League clubs entered it, you will not be surprised to see midfield schemer Yasuhito Endo, a player I’ve long been writing about, comfortably stepping up to this level. His Gamba Osaka toyed with Asia and the Melbourne Victory a couple of years back, just beautiful to watch.
It confirms, not that there should be any doubt, that technique, if taught and nurtured, will always hold you in good stead.
The big question with Asian sides, traditionally, is whether they have the mental strength and belief to deal with the pressure at this level.
Japan proved, against the Danes, that they are learning these lessons, at last. Even a ridiculous late penalty awarded to Liverpool’s Daniel Agger failed to rattle them.
To my mind, a large part of that comes down to the two absolute rocks in the heart to the defence, Marcus Tulio Tanaka and Yuji Nakazawa, two players I have long admired. Again, they are products of Asia, and both have graced the ACL.
They are winners, pure and simple, and you can’t discount their influence on the Samurai Blue. What a base to build from.
It has allowed Japan to defend deep and know they have the quality to absorb teams. Even Holland needed a long range effort, and a bit of late movement from the Jabulani, to break them.
And then they have quality in abundance on the break, with the European-based Keisuke Honda particularly catching the eye with his sumptuously soft touch and composure under pressure. The latter trait should never be underestimated.
His work to set up Japan’s third, for Shinji Okazaki, was something else, the type of calm and fantasy we expect from Brazil.
With all the problems Europe’s old guard are having with the Jabulani, it was refreshing to see these surgeons, Honda and Endo, make it talk from the set piece.
Throw in the free kick from South Korea’s Park Chu Young against Nigeria, and Marco Bresciano’s good work over the dead-ball, and it seems the Asians are leading the way in taming the infamous ball.
While the South Koreans got decidedly edgy towards the end of their 2-2 draw with Nigeria, the European experience of the likes of Park Ji Sung and Lee Young Pyo has been invaluable.
Manchester United’s Park, like Honda, has been one of my stand-out performers in the group stage.
Like Japan, I’ve been very impressed with South Korea’s organisation and discipline, and their commitment to calculated attack. Playing with two up front, in Park Chu Young and Yeom Ki Hun, has undoubtedly helped. Not only numbers, but quality.
The work of these sides, to date, is a credit to managers Huh Jung Moo and Okada, both home grown.
Having tamed the European second tier, they now have dates with the South American second tier, South Korea to tackle Uruguay in the first Round of 16 match tonight, before Japan take on Paraguay three days later.
It won’t be as easy, for the South Americans have been in mighty fine form. The tactically flexible Uruguay, in particular, look almost unbeatable.
But Japan, if they continue to compete physically, and remain composed, definitely have a chance of upsetting Gerardo Martino’s Paraguay.
Ultimately, it is likely be one of the old guard, either from South America or Europe, that lifts the coveted trophy in Johannesburg on July 12 (our time), but the hope here is that Asia’s representatives continue to make the world take notice.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
I was talking with a Zambian over a beer last night and he said they are impressed particularly with the Japanese as they can play attractive football as a unit, rather than relying on a few superstars. I think the depth of talent in the Japanese squad is something that many of the African nations wish to emulate. They are good at producing stars however depth is much more a result of good football governance at the domestic level which is a real issue here.
Australian Football
Roar Guru
"FFF are idiots" On that we can agree.
Tony Tannous
Expert
Thanks for the on-the-spot anecdote Ben. Do enjoy your experience at the WC and be sure to keep me posted. It doesn't for a second come as a surprise to me that the Africans are impressed with Asian football, and especially Japan. South Africans know their football and know the type of football they want, which is why they weren't particularly wrapped with Parreira.
dasilva
Guest
I'm wondering. Due to unfortunate separation of Confederation. J-leagues and K-league sides very rarely play competitive matches with European club (only exception is FIFA world club championship, even then it only shows that the K-league and J-league best aren't as good as the likes of Manchester United and Barcelona (although Gamba Osaka weren't disgrace in that performance)) Since there's very little matches between the J-league and K-league clubs with European clubs. There's very little objective criteria to compare the quality of the leagues like a UEFA coefficient. So in what criteria do you determine which leagues is better. How do you came about deciding that J-League is equal to Turkish league minus the likes of Galatasaray/Fenerbahce?
Pajovic
Guest
I can't believe that you even pay attention to pre season circus friendlies. These are for American and Asian parents to bring their kids to as a treat and for coaches to get players back into the swing of things. No one makes any effort and its merely an exercise in getting players match fit as well as selling a bit of merchandise. Such comments worry me and reflect badly on other less benighted comments you make.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
remember the orange ruffy!
Pajovic
Guest
Bordeaux Lyon both quarter finalists this year in the UCL? The French league loses all its best players to the big 4 leagues. It's a simple fact, however, French teams still perform well and have had a semi finalist this year with Lyon, Lyon defeated Real Madrid over two legs and also knocked out Liverpool. Bordeaux topped their group ahead of Bayern Munich and they eliminated Juventus, plus and Monaco hit the final not so long ago. France were bad this year because their players and coach as well as the FFF are idiots. They still have awesome players. Simple fact is that French teams are run differently to the rest of the European clubs. Strict financial laws mean that they cannot incurr the debt or use the business models of the other big 4 leagues. In any case, the top dutch, portugese, greek, russian, ukranian, turkish, etc teams are far ahead of the J-league's finest. Where did you get the notion of me being French btw? I am not. I simply disagree with your somewhat unfurnished opinion.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
I was at the Japan-Denmark game and the Japanese really looked comfortable against the Danes. It is no accident that Honda finished the group stages as the most fouled player of the tournament. The talk around J'burg is the Japanese are a team to watch and could well feature in the quarters. Whether this happens or not time will tell however one thing I can say is the Africans are very impressed with Asian football. Very impressed indeed.
Michael
Guest
To Jonnyp, if you actually look at what the players of South Korea, Japan and North Korea say in interview, you will notice that they indeed want their neighbours to do well, with emphasis on showing the world how far Asian football has come. The rivalry between Japan and Korea are clear and historical but even they have it in them to wish their neighbours well. This is in contrast to Maradona's comments about Brazil's lucky goals lol. Anyway I hope the AFC becomes more united from this WC and articles like these. In relation to the french ligue v J-league. I wouldn't say the J-league has quite come that far yet but I do recall friendlies been played in Japan which included a first team Real Madrid side getting thrashed by a bottom league club from Tokyo 3-0 LOL. and in those friendlies against the likes of Man u, Liverpool, and several other clubs from top leagues.. results were almost 50-50. That would atleast suggest the J-league is of a decent standard. (The turkish league comment seems fair but you might wanna include the top clubs).
dasilva
Guest
They did have French team in the UEFA champions league semi final and another team made it to the Quarters. I think it was Bordeaux vs Lyon in the Quarters. Lyon defeated Real Madrid over two legs and also knocked out Liverpool. Whilst Bordeaux top the group defeating Bayern Munich and knocking out Juventus. The French League had a resurgence last Champions League. Really the French team should have been successful with the players under their disposal.
Australian Football
Roar Guru
"some leagues are starting up I hear." Yawn---we are not bothered with kick and giggle leagues here; surly we are discussing elite Football leagues; aren't we.?
Australian Football
Roar Guru
Pajovic, I think you are stuck in 1998. A lot has changed since then French Football has fallen in a hole. I can't remember any French Clubs making a big impact in the UCL. Take Lyon out of French Football Ligue and there is not much to crow about. Japan is definitely on the rise and the J-League has become a very strong football league. I would bet the top clubs in the J-League: Antlers, Urwara Reds, would fair very well in it. Sorry if I hurt your French pride at a time when your national team went out on a whimper.. ;)
James
Guest
Tony, another cracking free kick from South Korea last night. I thought they were very good and unlucky. What did you think?
Alders
Guest
Sorry AF. Meant to send that to Dave. Of course not. It is on tv though and some leagues are starting up I hear. When you talk about Australia and sport then there is probably a 7 out of 10 chance that that is the first sport they start talking about followed by the olympics in Europe and rugby or cricket in the UK. They ask me to explain the rules but I am no expert being from Sydney. Another dynamic I have to explain to them which they actually understand quite well. I am not trying to provoke you. These are genuine observations. I must say though I think we do the world cup better than western Europe. Other than Germany and England I was really disappointed on my recent travels. I thought that was great though. Go the Kiwis.
Alders
Guest
I live in Europe. No talk about it what so ever. Serbia is hardly a world power and everyone knows it. France and Italy are out but their problems were well publicised before the Cup. Hardly a shock. Merely stating facts Dave. If some people weren’t so blindly positive I wouldn’t feel the need to say anything. I had one guy who suggested that it was morally acceptable to have North Korea in the Cup. Especially given that it is in South Africa he must have been joking. How is Melbourne these days?
Pajovic
Guest
'I think it’s not far behind the French league in my opinion, if not the equal'. Delusional. Are you fo real? Have you ever been to a French club game? Any European club game? The J league is a nice snappy league that is of about the quality of the Turkish league less the top few teams there. That's an honest assessment. Korea and Japan do well as they have a sustainable structure in place and they have players that really play for the shirt. I am struggling to see where the next batch of Australian players are coming from following what will be the inevitable wave of retirements from the Aussie soccer squad in the comming weeks. I hope I'm wrong. But South America and Europe is where its at. Korea and Japan are doing great great work though. I love watching them play, such dedication to the shirt. No squabbling, no egos. The top tier European teams need to realise that they play far to many club games at the top level and that players are just knackered. The FA cup and league cup in England are a waste of time, as is the inter-toto and eufa cups. Look at Spain, this is their third summer of international team cup soccer. They had the Euro's and the waste of time (yet obligatory) confederations cup the previous two summers. Jaded of course, but unquestionably have awesome players.
JonnyP
Guest
I've actually got a bet on Forlan as top scorer so I'd like Uruguay to lose 9-10 in there next game with him bagging all of them. I think what I was saying is that a lot of people are just a bit precious about Asian football and always concerned what other nations think. I don't know about S America but certainly in Europe there's a respect for the teams from the Asian region.
dasilva
Guest
Agree Uruguay is the closest thing we have to an arch nemesis Remember Ray Baartz
Andyroo
Guest
The alternative is to support Uruguay..... that should be reason enough :) Go Korea!
dasilva
Guest
Another good thing about Japan and South Korea is that they are actually one of the more cleaner and Sporting sides at the World Cup as they don't dive and play act as much as the other teams (they not completely innocent though, then again neither were Australia with the embarrassing injury feign from Lucas Neill and Vince Grella. Still the Asian sides in general including us for the most part played rather sportingly.). This is backed up by the reports from the Cheaters Fantasy League. "Credit to Japan for not following the tried and tested formula employed by many other teams so far at this world cup We’re awesome at free kicks + The ref is a pushover = Dives a plenty The Japs were pretty clean on the whole " only two players from those two teams has made the top 50 (Park Ji Sung at 43, Honda at rank 47) I do hope the Chinese and other asian sides learn from their examples.