World Cup worries for goal-shy Japan
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
TOKYO, June 23 (AFP): Japanese media fretted over the national team's lack of firepower Monday after a scrappy 1-0 win over Bahrain as the final stage of World Cup qualifying looms.
"The reality is that Japan are not in Asia's top class," the influential Asahi Shimbun said Monday of Takeshi Okada's squad.
"We have nothing but worries in mind when we ponder a final qualifying round filled with tough opponents," it added.
"In particular, how can we make up for our incompetence in front of goal?"
Celtic's Shunsuke Nakamura missed an early penalty before defender Atsuto Uchida spared Japan's blushes in rain-soaked Saitama with a lucky strike in the dying seconds.
The result avenged Japan's 1-0 away defeat to Bahrain in March and left them top of Asian Group 2 ahead of the Gulf side, who also qualified for the final stage in September.
"The reality is that Japan are not in Asia's top class," the influential Asahi Shimbun said Monday of Takeshi Okada's squad.
"We have nothing but worries in mind when we ponder a final qualifying round filled with tough opponents," it added.
"In particular, how can we make up for our incompetence in front of goal?"
Celtic's Shunsuke Nakamura missed an early penalty before defender Atsuto Uchida spared Japan's blushes in rain-soaked Saitama with a lucky strike in the dying seconds.
The result avenged Japan's 1-0 away defeat to Bahrain in March and left them top of Asian Group 2 ahead of the Gulf side, who also qualified for the final stage in September.