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The Samurai Blue’s toughest opponents are themselves. The Australian coach would help them kick down the door to football’s global eliteAs Japan’s players burst into tears after losing to Brazil in the 96th minute of their last-32 match to make it five losses in five World Cup knockout games, a pundit on British television neatly summed it up. “It’s heartbreaking for Japan,” he said. “As a nation, they just feel they have to break through this barrier and now they have to wait another four years to do that but that’s the World Cup. The great teams find a way to win and that’s where Japan need to get to.”That pundit was Ange Postecoglou, and now, Asia’s No 1 team need him to not just talk the talk but walk the nation to the top level of the global game. The federation in Tokyo should do all they can to get his signature on a lengthy contract as he is going to be in demand this summer. As last season progressed at Tottenham Hotspur and the drop became closer, the previous campaign under Postecoglou – with no danger of relegation and a major European trophy – looked better and better. Now, as teams head home from the World Cup earlier than they would like, the Australian’s brand of football, and more importantly, the mentality and attitude that come with it, seems more attractive than ever. Continue reading...
Iran were treated badly while two countries were debutants but Saudi Arabia and South Korea should have done betterFor a while, it looked as if Asia’s biggest World Cup result was on and Japan were going to beat Brazil. A team full of energy, skill and verve looked superior to the South Americans and were sending out a statement to the rest of the world and also back home that a new dawn was indeed here.The second half wasn’t quite so good. The energy levels could not be sustained, the Samurai Blue dropped too deep and eventually were undone in the 96th minute to lose 2-1 in this last-32 clash. Had four of the team’s best players, Kaoru Mitoma, Wataru Endo, Takumi Minamino and Takefusa Kubo, been available then it could have ended differently. In the end, Brazil’s strength in depth was a little stronger. Continue reading...
Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Archie Rhind-Tutt and Nicky Bandini as Germany leave the tournament in dramatic fashion in the last 32 Continue reading...
Ancelotti says late win was Brazil’s ‘most complete game’Hajime Moriyasu says Japan ‘have to improve’Carlo Ancelotti was characteristically calm after Brazil’s 2-1 victory against Japan on Monday, insisting he had never doubted his team would get back into the game and warning they are getting better and better.“At half-time I told the players to be patient because sooner or later we would score,” Ancelotti said. “What was important was to keep our structure. We know we’re going down the right path and we have to continue on this path.” Continue reading...
Brazil's ageing stars left it late to beat Japan 2-1 and reach the World Cup's round of 16. Is their team too old to make a deep run?