Japan Drawn In Tough World Cup Group

[Mulboyne]

[floatl][/floatl]The draw for the World Cup took place today to decide the groups for the opening round of the competition next year in South Africa. Japan (ranked 43rd in the world) was drawn in Group E and will play against the Netherlands (3), Cameroon (11) and Denmark (26). This raises the distinct prospect that the "Blue Samurai" will not win a match at the tournament. The first game will be against Cameroon on the 14th of June, followed by a match against the Group seeds, the Netherlands, on the 19th. They then conclude the round against Denmark on the 24th. On paper, Denmark is the weakest opposition they will face but the Danes managed wins over Sweden and Portugal during qualification so Japan will struggle. Cameroon had difficult qualifiers but sacked their manager and improved in the latter part of the campaign. An off-colour Cameroon team might be Japan's best chance for a win but they have rarely performed well against such highly-ranked opposition. Barring a miracle, three losses looks the most likely outcome.

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

It's a nightmare draw...first up against the Netherlands, traditionally a bolter, will be a real Dutch treat. A good showing could provide confidence, but a flogging could be demoralizing.
I'm with you on the Cameroons being the best chance of points, but Japan will still be the underdog in all three games.

[Mulboyne]

[IkemenTommy]

... as if Japan had any chance in the World Cup.

[Samurai_Jerk]

I was just watching the news and they were asking all of the officials and coaches what they think of Japan's chances and they were politley saying Japan has a strong team and it'll be tough. Then they started asking all the Danish and Dutch fans and every single one of them was like, "Japan? No friggin' problem!" Pretty funny.

[Mulboyne]

To be honest, Japan was always going to find it tough. They were in the same pot as three teams they might expect to beat on their day (the two Koreas and New Zealand) so they couldn't be in the same group. Their best bet was to draw the hosts, South Africa, ranked 86th in the world, and that didn't happen. Slovenia and Ghana might also have been within their sights, despite the fact that both rank higher than Japan. Still, nothing is certain in sport and teams get nervous in a tournament. A draw might be on the cards somewhere and a few lucky breaks could even swing a shock result.

[Ikemen-of-d00m]

I have little to no insight when it comes to Japanese football, so I can't give a good guess on Japan's chances in the World Cup...

But I see a lot of focus on the FIFA-ranking. If you are interested in football, you should also know that this ranking is very vague. If a country plays ONE very good game, it can almost climb to the very top. For instance, when my country(Norway) beat Brazil in the group stages in 98', we climbed all the way up to 2nd place. This was of course bullshit! We had a hard time against teams like Morocco and Scotland in the same period, and we also failed against Italy. We had a very good team, but not even close to the top 10...

So, don't look too much on the rankings!

I think Japan has a fair chance against Denmark and Cameroon. Tough matches of course, but far from impossible!

[Netherlander]

[Mulboyne]

...Hiddink knew exactly where to apply pressure...

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.

[Greji]

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.

Book so far is not even entertaining wins or ties yet. No interest at the moment. Only on number of goals scored (O is opening heavy)...

[Behan]

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.

It took someone to have a stroke for Okada to get the job again. The Chonin Blue did really badly (0-3) under him in France, but they did get their sole goal against football powerhouse Jamaica.

[Mulboyne]

Soccerway: Japan coach Okada slighted by Dutch

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".

[Behan]

Soccerway: Japan coach Okada slighted by Dutch

I think most of Japan's football fans wanted to forget who he was after the poor showing at the 98 World Cup.

[2triky]

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

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]

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.

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]

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.

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]

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.)

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]

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.

I wonder what will happen with all the millions the LA Galaxy is supposed to pay him? Perhaps there is something in the loan agreement about AC Milan picking up the tab for any injuries sustained. Or maybe they are covered by insurance.

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

Surely AC Milan would have to pay the bills.
I think I read somewhere that Beckham has to repay Galaxy for time spent away, but I've got Alzheimer's so don't quote me on that. That shouldn't bother him, though. What's a million here or there when you've got hundreds of thousands of millions to deal with?

[2triky]

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.)

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]

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.

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]

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).

I agree. It would have been nice to see him have more impact on the American game but he didn't spend too much time playing Stateside.

Hope he can pull through this injury. It must suck for English fans that he's no longer going to be part of the team. I, myself, wanted to seem him play for England.

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.

Well they played remarkably well in the FIFA Confederations Cup and almost, and should have, won the whole damn thing. The need consistency in their game, but they have talented players.

[Behan]

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.

I wouldn't bet my life, or much money, on it, but I think he is still with the Galaxy. He wanted the transfer but it didn't work out. Just a real quick on Wikiepedia (the source of all human knowledge ) says he's still with the Galaxy:

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.

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

[2triky]

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

Thanks for the update.

[2triky]

Amusing World Cup ad by Nike

[yt]idLG6jh23yE[/yt]

[Mulboyne]

Japan just lost 2-0 to Korea in a warm-up match. They are looking a bit of a shambles ahead of the tournament.

[Behan]

Japan just lost 2-0 to Korea in a warm-up match. They are looking a bit of a shambles ahead of the tournament.

And they will be playing the Netherlands! Potential for a blowout. And Cameroon and Denmark could be very tough, too.

FIFA World Rankings as of today (for what their worth. Remember we seppos are sometimes pretty high on this list which makes me think it's sh*t)

Dutch #4
Cameroon #19
Denmark #35
Japan #45

Luckily, the US is in a relatively easy group and will only face serious threats from Slovenia, and perhaps maybe Algeria.










Just kidding, Mulboyne!

[Greji]

Japan just lost 2-0 to Korea in a warm-up match. They are looking a bit of a shambles ahead of the tournament.

"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.

[Behan]

"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.

Okada was persona non grata following Japan's unchi showing at the 98 World Cup, losing even to the Reggae Boyz. The Chonin-Blues striker Jo was wecomed home at Narita Airport with a bottle of water chucked in his face. During one game Rui Ramos was commentating live, he went speechless with disgust.

(They did hold Argentina to 1-0, though.)