2009.9.6 Sun
Japan fought hard in the first half but suffered a big loss to Holland: International Friendly Match
In the midst of their Dutch campaign, the Japan national team played Holland on the 5th in an international friendly match. They fought bravely in the first half against the FIFA ranked 3rd team (Japan are 40th) but conceded three goals in the second half to lose 0-3.
Fighting on the front line against some tough opposition defense, Japan MF NAKAMURA Shunsuke won the ball in the 3rd minute and threaded a pass to FW OKAZAKI Shinji. In the 16th minute NAKAMURA Shunsuke’s right sided cross found MF NAKAMURA Kengo who struck a left footed volley that went close. OKAZAKI also capitalized on a careless miss pass from the opposition to dribble and shoot on goal.
However Japan failed to make any telling chances and the first half finished with most of the praise being heaped on the defenders who had kept the score goalless. Endurance was a factor in the second half as Japan were unable to continue pressing and were put under increasing pressure as Holland attacked down the wings. Then in the 69th minute a rebound from a right corner kick was last touched by Robin VAN PERSIE who opened the scoring. In the 73rd minute MF Wesley SNEIJDER scored with a right footed shot from outside the box and then Japan conceded once more in the 87th minute. The second half result demonstrated the difference between Japan and one of the top teams in the world.
Fighting on the front line against some tough opposition defense, Japan MF NAKAMURA Shunsuke won the ball in the 3rd minute and threaded a pass to FW OKAZAKI Shinji. In the 16th minute NAKAMURA Shunsuke’s right sided cross found MF NAKAMURA Kengo who struck a left footed volley that went close. OKAZAKI also capitalized on a careless miss pass from the opposition to dribble and shoot on goal.
However Japan failed to make any telling chances and the first half finished with most of the praise being heaped on the defenders who had kept the score goalless. Endurance was a factor in the second half as Japan were unable to continue pressing and were put under increasing pressure as Holland attacked down the wings. Then in the 69th minute a rebound from a right corner kick was last touched by Robin VAN PERSIE who opened the scoring. In the 73rd minute MF Wesley SNEIJDER scored with a right footed shot from outside the box and then Japan conceded once more in the 87th minute. The second half result demonstrated the difference between Japan and one of the top teams in the world.