Goodbye Japan

The Samurai Blue have been knocked out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup after a 0-0 last 16 game against Paraguay in Pretoria.

I was really hoping that Japan would qualify for the quarterfinals after their strong showing against Denmark. They were impressive against Ghana, both offensively and especially defensively and their game against the Netherlands was a convincing show of skill, even though they lost. However, in hindsight, their last 16 game with Paraguay was an exercise in drudgery and Japan suddenly seemed intimidated. There was no flow, no coherent attack, and no consistent pressure against Paraguay. Too often, Honda was left isolated without any support. Japan was nervous. Defensively they did hold up quite well, but that is just half of the game. They didn't want to take any chances and seemed content on holding a defensive line until Paraguay makes a defensive blunder. But they waited too long. After the a scoreless first half, they seemed to have loosened up and finally livened up, going in some more but again, it was nothing sustained. Sending a second striker in the second half did make things more interesting but by extra time, everyone seemed too tired already. Passes were awfully off target and they just wanted to have the shoot out.

The penalty shoot out is always a heartbreaking affair. I didn't want it to come to a shoot out when the glory of winning or agony of losing rested on the shoulders of a single man. I knew Kawashima was a formidable goalkeeper having stopped Rooney penalty once, but goalkeepers get the least pressure because saves are more an act of God than of man. That unfortunate man whose fate it was to miss the goal was Komano of Japan. Shooting third out of five takers, his shot hit the crossbar and ricocheted up to miss the goal. I feel his anger at himself and his agony of failing his teammates which together with him have come so close to reach their dream. For a team that have lost all their friendlies and were in such a disarray just months ago, they have definitely played well and have reached the last 16 well beyond everybody's expectations. In 2014, I know I will again see that Honda, Okazaki, Kawashima and the next generation of the Japan National Football Team in Brazil.