Japan v Denmark Preview - A view from Japan

Written by Tony Concannon Wednesday, 23 June 2010 07:49

England World Cup Blog

Here in Japan there is a mixture of mild excitement and slight bemusement on the prospect of the national team making it to the last 16 of the World Cup. They were not expected to do this well, but Takeshi Okada's men (only) need a draw against the Danes to unexpectedly progress from Group E. Okada was under enormous pressure going into the tournament, following four successive defeats, Japan's worst run in twelve years.

The Samurai Blue are the weakest of the four teams in the group, but an opening 1-0 win over a disjointed and dispirited Cameroon got them off to a nice start. More important than that win was the defeat to the Netherlands. Really. With Denmark losing their opening game to Bert van Marwijk's men 2-0 and then beating Cameroon by the odd goal in three, Japan just needed to avoid a heavy defeat against Holland to be in pole position. That they did, only losing 1-0, leaving them ahead of the Danes on goal difference going into the crunch game. Highlights of the Dutch game have been showing constantly on Japanese TV (in between food programmes) emphasizing it's importance. Nothing comes before food on Japanese TV.

Okada is likely to name an unchanged side for what promises to be an intriguing game. His team is built on a solid defence, with the central defensive partnership of Yuji Nakazawa and the Brazilian-born Marcus Tulio Tanaka performing heroics so far. The midfield has a good balance of graft (Yuki Abe), skill (Yasuhito Endo) and running (Wolfsburg's Makoto Hasebe). CSKA Moscow's Daisuke Honda has been the key-man so far, playing in an advanced forward position. Honda has been helping out up front as the striking positions have been a big problem over the past few years. Japan really struggle to score goals. They have goals in them, it's just a matter of finding them.

Morten Olsen's men haven't exactly impressed so far and although they overcame Cameroon, the Africans missed a plethora of chances. However, they did score two nice goals themselves through dangerman Nicklas Bendtner and Dennis Rommedahl. Defender Simon Kjaer, getting rave reviews in Serie A with Palermo but decidedly average so far in South Africa, is suspended so Olsen will need to make a change. Hopefully, 18-year-old Ajax whizz kid Christian Eriksen may get another run out in midfield. Great things are expected of him.

This match is almost too close too call. Both sides should cancel each other out. Japan's attack shouldn't trouble the Danes too much, and with Yuichi Kamono, Nakazawa, Tulio and Yuto Nagatomo looking rock solid in the Japanese defence, Denmark will need all the experience of veteran Jon Dahl Tomasson the promptings of Juventus midfielder Christian Poulsen and the strength of Bendtner to trouble them. However, Denmark qualified in style for this World Cup, heading a group consisting of Portugal and Sweden, and have not suddenly become a bad team. Japan's lack of firepower is a big worry for me, and they don't always perform well in pressure situations. The Danish side has a lot more experience of playing at the highest level and should just have enough to edge a close encounter.

It's the Danes to save their bacon and win by a goal to nil for me. Sorry, it must be all these food programmes.  

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