Nadeshiko Japan coach denies bending the rules

Olympics Aug. 04, 2012 - 05:24PM JST ( 14 )

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14 Comments

-10

Pukey2Aug. 04, 2012 - 08:31PM JST

Is this called back-tracking? He must have learnt this from Japanese politicians.
-7

tmarieAug. 04, 2012 - 08:35PM JST

Contradicting indeed. I will no longer support the women. Cheaters are cheaters and should have no place in the games. They should be out on their butts like the badminton players.
-2

DaijobootsAug. 04, 2012 - 09:52PM JST

"We never set out with the intention for playing for a draw," "We never tried to play for a draw from the start"

Ha ha. Well no but once the score of the Canada-Sweden game came through you sure did. Don't try to wiggle out of this one with semantics. Here is what you have been quoted as saying before the match: "Tochu kara, hikiwake o nerau kamo shirenai." "We may aim for a draw during the match."

He has also been quoted as telling the substitute coming on in the 58th minute to not shoot for goal. If that isn't a breach of the Olympic spirit I don't know what is.
0

PT24881Aug. 04, 2012 - 10:03PM JST

The new rules of single elimination draws for the badminton games were the roots why 'smart' coaches used their 'tactics' to optimize their success in the first place. For the women soccer games, similar scenarios applied. Be honest, these coaches went to London were probably charged with objectives ( in return for generous budget allocations plus financial / professional prizes for gold - silver - bronze medals accordingly ).. Sportsmanship ? These are big doctrines to be talked about against other adversaries & in public. Regrettably, the Games have become a business -- in financial terms & in political terms, admitting it or not..
0

PT24881Aug. 04, 2012 - 10:10PM JST

Mr. Sasaki's comment " none of players complained" to justify his tactics & decisions was rightful but unskillful. At this moment ( competition ongoing ), he should keep his mouth shut and comment until the dusts & games settled. He should exactly ensure that the feeling & motivation of his players are least disturbed.
1

MrsT1Aug. 04, 2012 - 10:29PM JST

In this case the other team was playing for a WIN (not a draw) and there was nothing to stop them scoring and beating Japan. Its not like Japan was trying to lose. A draw is so common in football anyway I fail to see how this is such a major major deal.
-7

Bob SneiderAug. 04, 2012 - 10:48PM JST

if china and korean teams were disqualified for doing the same thing, Japan should be, also. Fair is fair.
4

Scott T. HardsAug. 04, 2012 - 11:13PM JST

MrsT1 has it completely right. Trying to lose is easy, and usually automatic (unless you're faced with the bizarre situation of your opponent also trying to lose). But trying to draw is completely different because your opponent is still trying to beat you! You can't just walk off; you still have to play the game. What's more, what Sasaki ordered the team to do (don't bother scoring) is pretty much what nearly all European soccer coaches tell their team to do when they're winning in the second half anyway; just play to kill the clock, don't worry about scoring.

The parallels to the horrific display by those badminton players are superficial at best.
-5

tmarieAug. 05, 2012 - 01:39AM JST

You fail to see how not trying to win at the Olympics is a big deal?! Wow, who taught you about sports and sportsmanship? I'm surprised none of the others teams have complained about this. You can bet Japan would be crying if the shoe was on the other foot.

And no, playing to kill the clock when you're up is not the same thing. They play defensively, not offensively. Not that same at as as purposely trying not to win. Japanese soccer is a disgrace for this.
-6

tmarieAug. 05, 2012 - 06:28AM JST

Simply said, the coach asked these girls to cheat.
1

MrsT1Aug. 05, 2012 - 09:00AM JST

You miss the point... They ARE trying to win (the next match and eventually the gold). Blame the game/system not the players
0

DaijobootsAug. 05, 2012 - 09:58AM JST

Some people need to refer to the Olympic Charter.

I'm surprised none of the others teams have complained about this

I think they have.
-2

tmarieAug. 05, 2012 - 08:30PM JST

Mrs.T clearly you aren't aware of what the Olomouc rules stipulates. Not trying to win us against them. Toss them out - and get a new coach.
1

MrsT1Aug. 06, 2012 - 08:33AM JST

Where is this Olympic "rule" that you quote? Remember IOC has referred all these things to the individual sports bodies and it was the badminton charter (not Olympic charter) that was the basis for their elimination. Where do you draw the line? Do the weaker members of say, the GB triathlon, get disqualified for putting their own chances of winning secondary to helping their top athlete get the best positioning in the race? Because that is what their plan was. Does a team get eliminated for resting their top players in a game where "must win" is not imperative, because they are not doing their utmost to win? Should Usain Bolt be eliminated for only qualifying 5th or whatever in the 100m prelims because that wasn't his "best" effort to "win" against the other athletes?