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Netherlander wrote:...Hiddink knew exactly where to apply pressure...
Mulboyne wrote:Fortunately for the Netherlands, and unfortunately for Japan, they have Okada and not Gus. However, Japan did manage a draw against Croatia in 2006 which was against the odds.
Mulboyne wrote:Fortunately for the Netherlands, and unfortunately for Japan, they have Okada and not Gus. However, Japan did manage a draw against Croatia in 2006 which was against the odds.
Japan and the Netherlands will battle it out in next year's World Cup, but the Dutch coach has some homework to do after failing to recognise his Japanese opposite number at a Cape Town dinner. Japan's Takeshi Okada said he was speaking with Australia coach Pim Verbeek, a Dutchman, on the eve of Friday's World Cup draw when Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk joined and apparently mistook him for one of Japan's FA officials. "Then he (van Marwijk) asked me who the Japan coach is and where he is. I told him, 'That's me'. Then he said, 'Is that so?'" a miffed Okada told Japanese media late Sunday on his return from South Africa. The encounter took place at an official dinner and came not long after Japan and the Netherlands played their first-ever match in September, a friendly that Japan lost 3-0. "We shook hands before the friendly match, but he had already forgotten me. It seemed he cared about me only so much," Okada added. The Japanese coach said the Dutch manager showed in the conversation that he "knew Japanese football and players well". However, he added: "I don't think it's because he was worried about us."
Japan face a tough draw in Group E against three higher-ranked countries -- the Netherlands, Cameroon and Denmark. The three-time Asian champions are noted for their organisation but lack front-line firepower. Okada, who insists that Japan can make it to the semi-finals in South Africa, said his team had a "sufficient chance" of getting a draw at least from each of their group games. "The Netherlands have a wealth of talent with stars even among their reserves. Denmark are well organised with tight defences. Cameroon are a high-quality side with all players playing in Europe," Okada said. "We must beat one of them because we cannot advance to the next stage with just three draws," Okada said, adding that there are at least two teams "who may give us chances".
Mulboyne wrote:Soccerway: Japan coach Okada slighted by Dutch
Screwed-down Hairdo wrote:I feel sad for Becks. For all that he was a great, fucking wanker, there was little doubt if you ever saw him on the pitch that he gave his all, no matter who he played for. I'm praying for a miracle whatever way.
2triky wrote:No doubt.
I am with you man. After reviving his European club career with the transfer to AC Milan from LA, he gets injured. They say his career may be over.
He flew to Finland today to get surgery on his tendon.
Behan wrote:Was that a transfer? I thought he was just in an off-season loan like last year. I bet he wants to go for sure.
He barely made the 2002 World Cup with a broken foot but he seemed to do OK. He was probably in a lot of pain, though. Ironically, he got red carded in the 98 World Cup for kicking an Argentinean, an Argentinean broke his foot before 2002, and then he scored the winning goal on a penalty against Argentina in the 2002 Cup. (I think so, anyway.)
Screwed-down Hairdo wrote:Yep, you're right.
I find him a pain in the arse, but he has tremendous heart on the pitch and it's impossible for me not to admire him as a player. I'm really sad to see the end of his international career, as appears likely, but Milan have already apparently offered to take him back next year, so he'll be playing real football for at least a a little while longer.
Behan wrote:Was that a transfer? I thought he was just in an off-season loan like last year. I bet he wants to go for sure.
He barely made the 2002 World Cup with a broken foot but he seemed to do OK. He was probably in a lot of pain, though. Ironically, he got red carded in the 98 World Cup for kicking an Argentinean, an Argentinean broke his foot before 2002, and then he scored the winning goal on a penalty against Argentina in the 2002 Cup. (I think so, anyway.)
2triky wrote:I believe Becks was initially on loan to Milan but eventually a transfer fee was paid after he expressed an interest to play in Milan full time.
I think the last season with the Galaxy was his last with that club.
Screwed-down Hairdo wrote:It kinda makes sense. With all due respect to U.S. soccer (which I believe is grossly underrated), Becks probably deserves a higher (?) profile team (as opposed to being the team profile).
BTW, I would still not be surprised if the U.S. wpn the World Cup by 2022 -- it is a lot more powerful than people give it credit for, and it's a huge, if low-profile game in America. Without doubt, the U.S. is soccer's hidden superpower.
2triky wrote:I believe Becks was initially on loan to Milan but eventually a transfer fee was paid after he expressed an interest to play in Milan full time.
I think the last season with the Galaxy was his last with that club.
David Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE[3] (born 2 May 1975)[4] is an English footballer who currently plays in midfield for Milan in Serie A,[5] on loan from Major League Soccer club Los Angeles Galaxy.[6] He is also an established member of the England national team.
Behan wrote:EDIT:
His status really isn't clear. He wanted to remain in Milan last year but the negotiations fell through. But the loan was extended to July in a "time-sharing deal" according to Wikipedia. But both Wikipedia and the official Galaxy web site list him on the Galaxy roster.
The Galaxy roster: http://web.mlsnet.com/players/roster.jsp?club=t106
Mulboyne wrote:Japan just lost 2-0 to Korea in a warm-up match. They are looking a bit of a shambles ahead of the tournament.
Mulboyne wrote:Japan just lost 2-0 to Korea in a warm-up match. They are looking a bit of a shambles ahead of the tournament.
Greji wrote:"A bit of shambles?" Take can't even rationalize last night. They stunk. They looked like a division 2 team playing a division 1. I think they need more PR about the crime rate in SA to save them more loss of face. Some people are winners. Some are losers and that's the way it plays. Okada was a fair player during his geneki jidai, but as a kantoku he has always been a loser and continues to keep up the tradition. At least the Samurai Blue will save money on accommodations during the Cup.
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