soccer

Italy rallies from 2-0 down to beat Japan 4-3 in Confederations Cup

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A good match and Japan played well.

A fair result would have been a draw, although if I were pushed to choose a team that should have won, I'd say Japan.

The refereeing and the awarding of a penalty for Italy on a handball that clearly was not, was horrendous. We've got to start having professional refs, too many times they are ruining games.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

Shame I missed it,

Again a own goal for Japan I heard, that sucks. :

0 ( +2 / -2 )

So this is the feeling of accomplishment even though you lost a game? Then it feels great!

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

The refereeing and the awarding of a penalty for Italy on a handball that clearly was not, was horrendous. We've got to start having professional refs, too many times they are ruining games.

Ironic, as that was what happened to Australia the other day with a debatable handball.

3 ( +7 / -5 )

Wow!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

What an amazing and brilliant game. The Samurai Blue can be really proud of their performance. Kagawa and Honda's link-up play was excellent. Both really pulled the strings in midfield. Zaccheroni needs to focus a little on the defensive organization though.

It was great to see Japan keeping so much possession against a quality opponent like Italy. Even Pirlo, the old maestro, could not keep the ball for the Azzurri. In terms of the result though, it's a cruel game and at the end of the day the team scoring the most goals wins. Japan could have converted a few chances like the early one in the first half from Maeda or the one where they hit the post twice when the score was 3-3. I will say this though, it was as much plain daylight robbery as the 2005 FA Cup final. Nevertheless, kudos to Italy for persevering and pulling through.

And as for the ref, he got both the penalty decisions wrong. When will we ever get quality international referees, FIFA?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Well played to both teams for a great game. I think Italy must have scored some goals, but so far I've only seen Japan score 100 times on the highlights. Us Aussies know full well the pain of losing in the dying moments to Italy in a big match - it hurts! As Gary Lineker stated, if Japan can find some defenders (and perhaps a goalie) they could be a big threat in Brazil 2014.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

In my opinion, Japan played an amazing match! They deserved to win. Greetings from Italy.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

A battle lost, but the war is still to be won. The overseas playing Blue Samurais have the confidence to go up against any team, however the Japan based players lack this quality and have been seen to cave in under pressure. We thought that this was one of the main reasons for the big loss to Brazil, thus the more overseas games these players take part in, the better their battle field skills will become and the better the SBs will be. Of course it doesnt help when you are fighting major battles from the off, it would have been a little easier if they had played in the same group as Spain. The Knights still see Spain as being the out right champions, so let`s see how they fare against the gallant Lords of Tahiti ?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Japan has to do away with this non-Japanese player limitation in the domestic league, especially in J League 1. Then and only then, after maybe a 10 year period, Japan may realistically compete with the big boys in international soccer.

However it's never going to happen because of the Japanese inferiority complex and the fear that Japanese national myopia will cause match attendance to collapse, if teams are made up of lots of foreigners.

Big in Japan and nowhere else, although Kagawa definitely looks like he can break the mold.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Fantastic display for Japan! It hurts even more after what they showed - just to mention few moments:

Italy - 5 post in the last minute of first half when they took the initiative for mere 5 minutes

Japan -8

Maeda - pass to Buffon (this season he is not as sharp)

Okazaki - twice hit the post

Kagawa - post after Okazaki's post

Honda - center of the goal (brilliant play - just the last kick direction choice...rrrr)

Hasebe - great middle shot just cm from the upper corner

I guess the players gave it all but what matters are the small mistakes before the second and third Italian goals - hope they learn!

Anyway thank you Japan for the spectacle and the good emotions!!!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Well played Japan. THey play football the right way. Needed to tighten up a little a 2-0, seemed to get a bit overconfident. Can't do that against Italy. Hopefully this will give them more self-confidence about what they can achieve now and they can go out against Mexico and put up a performance that lets the watching world sit up and take even more notice. A great game to watch.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

at least japan play good football.was a cracking game.my team Ireland when they play bore the pants of ya.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

That was a great game....Okazaki really stepped up this time, and Japan looked like thaey could win it right to the end. Wow!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

That was an exciting game but there's no way Italy would defend that pathetically at the business end of a major tournament (as England and Germany found out last year).

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Japan played a good game, and while the result is unfortunate, they can only be proud at how well they did compared to the game with Brazil. I really think that loss helped them up their game, which is the best result it could have. I was surprised to see Japan get so far ahead early in the game, and it's a real shame about all the bar and post shots, and of course Uchida's major flub. And while Honda can't seem to score in regular play, I'll give it to him that he is sure good at scoring when penalties are handed to him.

As to those complaining about unfair reffing in regards to handballs and what not, don't forget that's how Japan ended up tying with Australia in the WC qualifiers. It happens. Sometimes the calls are justified, sometimes they are not. Until they start considering camera replays we have to go by the refs' calls.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

With such attitude, Japan can not be relegated to the back burner should they keep such intensity. well done lads, no shame at all.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

@smithinjapan

don't forget that's how Japan ended up tying with Australia in the WC qualifiers

No, there's a difference between the two handballs:

The Australian defender left his arm wide open to block off the shot (intentional) The Japanese defender did a slide tackle, the Italian kicked the ball underneath his leg, and unfortunately the ball bounced off the ground and hit his arm (unintentional)

But, I'm pretty sure the ref is gonna get A LOT of hate, you can't just make those mistakes in ANY game.

P.S. did anyone hear the whistling of the audience when the Italians had the ball?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Nooo how could I miss it?! :( Ironic how I was studying Italian culture and never knew there was a Japan-Italy match :/ :(

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Saw the game until the 12th minute of the second half, when I had to leave for work. although trailing 3-2 at the time, Japan looked pretty good. One question, however. The first goal of the game came when Japan's Honda kicked a penalty shot into the corner of the net. The Italian goaltender got a yellow card on the play. From my viewpoint, he, the goalkeeper, was going after the ball and not the Japanese striker. He stopped the ball, but was called with a foul. Was it really a foul ... as it appeared he was after the ball, not the player?

For Japan, next comes Mexico. Although both of them are out of the running for any honors, it should be an exciting match. Can Japan come away with at least one win ... ??

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I am an italian supporte. Yesterday I have seen a great Japan! A fast and strong team that has "squizeed" us for a long time, just missing some luck. Congratulations to Japan!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Jamie: "No, there's a difference between the two handballs: 1. The Australian defender left his arm wide open to block off the shot (intentional) 2. The Japanese defender did a slide tackle, the Italian kicked the ball underneath his leg, and unfortunately the ball bounced off the ground and hit his arm (unintentional)"

They were both handballs all the same, and that's how both Japan and Italy scored a goal, bottom line. Intentional or not, it hit his arm, and that is a handball. There have been far worse handballs called. People can argue all they want when it is against their team and praise the refs when it's for them, the fact remains there is nothing people can do but follow the refs calls until FIFA decides to implement replays for judgement. There were dodgy calls against both sides (edojin gives a good example), as there usually is.

Anyway, now that they've upped their game somewhat, it'll be interesting to see how they fair against Mexico. I have no idea how Mexico is doing at present.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

ONORE AL GIAPPONE PER AVER GIOCATO BENE/HONOR IN JAPAN TO HAVE PLAYED WELL

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Saw the highlights of this meeting (the only way to watch soccer) here in the States on ESPN-3. As a commentator pointed out, Italy looked uninterested and still won.

Meanwhile, the Japanese men's soccer team has shown the world once again that they are still not ready to compete on a truly international level. Perhaps FIFA should create an Asia-only men's World Cup competition with all the matches played exclusively in Japan as a way to help Blue Samurai and its fans feel good about themselves.

RR

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Except Spain, there is not many team is strong in defense. Italy is very defensive. Their counter attack is amazing. Germany has never beaten Italy in major matches. Whenever Germany meet the Italy in final or semi final, German team has to farewell the fans. If Italian Azzuri was beaten by Japanese Blue Samurai, Sun will rise from the West.

There is no other team like Italy. Italy is one of the best team. Brazil is a five time World Cup Champion. Italy is a four time World Cup Champion. Mexico deserve to win 2014 World Cup because they have beaten Brazil before.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

RomeoRll i could say the same thing about the USA team not been able to compete at the WC or at international level, you should have watched the whole game they deserve their place on the world stage,

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Anyway, now that they've upped their game somewhat, it'll be interesting to see how they fair against Mexico. I have no idea how Mexico is doing at present.

Mexico are doing pretty bad at present. They have 4 0-0 draws so far in 6 final qualifying matches, and their only goal so far this tournament was a PK. However, considering Japan has given up 7 goals in 2 matches so far, Mexico must think this is their chance to start scoring. The one thing they are good at is forcing errors, so Japan's defense will have to improve a lot. No doubt neither team wants to go home with 0 points.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japan deserved at least one point. They were amazing. It is not often Buffon has to pick up the ball from his own net 3 times. Giving away a 2 goal lead though is what makes Japan not at the top level. Any strong team would have held onto a two goal lead. Japan needs to organize their defense much more and learn the art of playing boring cynical football when wanting to maintain the lead.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

an excellent match and japan desperately unlucky not to get the draw .

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japan showed their inexperience and naivety in defence, but had nothing but courage going forward. This will give them great hope in Brasil for next years world cup.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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