Japan 4 - Ghana 3

My first question for you, reader, is did you watch the match? If the answer is no, understand that I lack the linguistic capabilities to accurately describe this match to you; so I apologize. Looking at the 4-3 scoreline does not do the match justice. If the answer is yes, bear with me, and see if we are on a similar train of thought.

While watching this match, I vacillated considerably on what I would write this blog post about. It seemed that every 5 minutes something new would occur to give reason for jeering, then 5 minutes later: cheering. I had multiple heart attacks and opted not to go to the hospital because I wanted to finish watching till the end. I've gone temporarily mute from screaming so loudly and I think my brain exploded all over the wall. I reminded myself of the absurd studio audiences at those awful daytime TV shows (Ricky Lake, Jerry Springer). One moment they're dramatically crying over the reunion of an estranged mother and daughter. The next moment they're throwing tomatoes when its revealed that the daughter is really a man; and that the mother is really a human-alien hybrid. Honestly, those shows are whack. Anyway, that was me. Crying, throwing tomatoes, and suspecting Kengo Nakamura is really a human-alien hybrid. But I diverge...

The first goal fell Ghana's way by an "in-the-box" hand ball by Yuto Nagatomo in the 29th minute. Nagatomo, attempting to defend a corner kick brought his right hand up and swatted the ball away. Nagatomo was given a yellow card, and striker Asamoah Gyan (left) easily netted the PK to set the scoreline 1-0. I despise goals like this because conceding a PK is giving a gift-wrapped goal. The hand ball looked to be inadvertent and off a corner kick that probably would not have netted. This was a huge mistake by Nagatomo, and let me tell you there was a tomato smashed where his head was on my screen. They then showed an entire section of Japanese kids with such desolate expressions on their faces that you would have thought the Grinch had stolen 1,000 Christmases. That was the best part of the entire match; seeing those kids faces, hilarious.

A few minutes later, Gyan got his brace after a long punt from the goal box by Ghana keeper Richard Kingson! The Japanese defense was nowhere to be found with the exception of captain Yuji Nakazawa and keeper Ryota Tsuzuki. "Ownage" was the term that came to mind when Gyan adeptly received the ball, turned on Nakazawa, and fired past a bewildered Tsuzuki. 2-0 Ghana. The broadcast then showed Nakazawa's expression; one of complete despair like his puppy just got flattened by a construction vehicle. He deserved it.

Then the second half began, and things brightened when Kengo Nakamura (bottom) took a deflected cross off his left foot and put one past the hands of Kingson in the 52nd minute. I felt a bit of hope, and they showed the kids again. This time on their feet cheering.
In the 65th minute, lightning struck again. Midfielder Sulley Muntari played a long ball, this time to Matthew Amoah who strides beyond the defense, expertly outmaneuvered an out-of-place Tsuzuki and restored the 2 goal lead. At this point, Niagara Falls was coming out of my eyes and I cursed the soccer Gods for humiliating my team like this. Considering shutting off the broadcast, I decided to persevere, and was greatly rewarded.

3 substitutes were on the sideline for Japan. Striker Keiji Tamada and Midfielders Junichi Inamoto and Keisuke Honda. Out came an exhausted Shunsuke Nakamura, a worn Makoto Hasebe and an ineffective Ryoichi Maeda. Team Japan had a new look and the game changed completely hereafter.

In minute 77, the Black Stars gave up the ball deep in their 1/3 of the pitch. Nagatomo found an open Tamada and Tamada delivered to put Japan within a goal of equalizing. Momentum changed, and you could see a new look of confidence and rejuvenation in the eyes of Japan. 2 minutes later, Inamoto had open space on the left side. Looking towards goal, he placed a picturesque cross to Striker Shinji Okazaki, who made his run perfectly and headed right over the keeper. Equalizer. Redemption. Honestly, the goal was brilliant and one I could watch over and over again.

Then, with just minutes left to play, Nagatomo maneuvered his way past several defenders on the left side. Open wide on the right was Keisuke Honda, and closer still was Inamoto. Nagatomo selected Inamoto and it payed off. He slotted just out of reach of the keeper and into the bottom near post. 4-3 Japan won. Unreal.

If there was anything certain about this match, it was that there are many things uncertain about team Japan. Many questions raced through my mind and I will throw them at you. On 09/09/09 I find it only appropriate to pitch 9 questions that occurred to me today. If you think you have answers for any of them. Leave a comment/send me an e-mail. I'd love to here your opinions.

1. Is Japan as fast as I think/hope they are?

Ghana looked really fast and Japan looked stunned, unable to adjust. While Japan controlled most of the game with its normal possession passing build-up game, Ghana capitalized on the strikers physical ability to cherry pick our defense. So many times Sulley Muntari would long pass from the midfield into the striding attacker blowing past our defense. Which brings me to my next question.

2. Where is our defense?

Usually, Nakazawa and Tulio Tanaka are so steady in our back-line. Where have they been? Our defense looks so disorganized and out of place its infuriating for a disciplined team like Japan to look so sloppy. In two matches we have given up 6 goals! Its almost as if the two center backs are playing elsewhere on the field...

3. Can Tulio Tanaka play striker?

Tulio pressed up several times in attack this match. On one attack, he very cleverly one touch back heel passed to an open Yasuhito Endo in the box. Endo missed but the pass was class. Tulio later had one of the best rips in the game, a pure bullet that was well saved by the Ghana Keeper. We already know that with his height and air ability, he can score many goals from set pieces. If Japan can find a defensive replacement, I would like to see Tulio up front as an experiment.

4. What is with Yuto Nagatomo?

Is he good or bad? Can he be both? He looked dreadful for most of the game, giving up a goal with the hand ball and never to be seen on defense. Then, late in the game, he redeems himself but setting up two goals. Whats with this kid?

5. Who are our best side backs?

I just talked about Nagatomo. Yuichi Komano filled in for Atsuto Uchida today and looked decent. But Uchida usually puts in strong performances as well, and is integral to our wing attack. Uchida and Komano usually play on the right side with Nagatomo to the left. Maybe we can mix it up a bit?

6. Does the team need Shunsuke Nakamura?

Shunsuke doesn't look bad, but do we need him? When he does play, he commands a presence on the pitch and is fun to watch. However, he did miss a wide open shot today, and it was only after he came off the pitch did we score 3 goals. I'm not saying we can him, but if other players can step up should Nakamura be a guranteed start?

7. Has Junichi Inamoto been reborn?

Boy was I happy to see Inamoto on the sideline today. Kudos to Okada for giving him another shot to make the team. I am quite the enthusiast for playing European based players as you know. My reasoning comes from a belief that players who participate on the global stage not only improve skill-wise, but also gain great confidence. Naka, Hasebe, Inamoto, Matsui, and Honda all have a different look from the other players. They look more comfortable on the ball, tackling, and willing to shoot. Junichi made a strong case today by scoring one and assisting one. Good to see you back, man-of-the match.

8. Could we beat teams like Ghana consistently?

Ghana is not a bad team. They are also not a great team. The Nihon Daihyo scored 4 goals and beat them, but we did not play particularly well. What does this mean? You tell me.

9. Okazaki and Tamada can play striker, who else?

Lets face it. If Maeda and Koroki are our 2 best substitutes than we have serious problems with striking depth. But we haven't seen the debut of Takayuki Morimoto yet. Ha, did you think I could write a blog without mentioning "the future?" Not a chance.

Man of the Match:

Junichi Inamoto (right) - He played less than 1/2 the game but what an impact he had. He set up Okazaki with a brilliant cross to get the equalizer, then coolly slotted home to get the win. Well done.