Japan warms up for Australia with 5-1 demolition of Finland

Thursday 05th February, 06:42 AM JST

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Bogi at 11:58 PM JST - 4th February

C'mon guys, how about a little credit to nippon?! Yes, Finland sucked. But Japan looked pretty good tonight. They held the formation for most of the 90, passed and defended well, and had plenty of shots on goal.

When they lose, you all slag them off, and when they win, you slag off the other team. I suggest you move away from the pc, grab a beer and watch some Simpsons or something.
norinrad21 at 07:50 AM JST - 5th February

Anyone can beat Finland, even a Dutch high school team could easily take care of the Finnish national side.
Osakadaz at 09:30 AM JST - 5th February

It does sound like finland were woeful.Good to see Nakazawa stamping his authority on the game.He is one player the Aussies will have to nullify next wednesday.
GenevaMan at 11:29 AM JST - 5th February

Good for the samurai blue. I am just scared to see how medias and fans get so much confidence after this game, considering they lost against a pretty lame team last week.

They will definitely go to the WC, but what matters now is how they handle it in South Africa, because the Euros and Latinos don't play. I hope Okada is definitely looking forward to this.
whitepocky at 11:34 AM JST - 5th February

Didn't realise old 'Nippon' had a game!! There about as stimulating as watching paint dry!!
DJJapan at 11:55 AM JST - 5th February

They may have won but that is no excuse to get over confident against Australia next week. The Japanese team have the heart, they may not have the psych. We'll see!
timorborder at 12:36 PM JST - 5th February

Although a proud Australia who never really cared for soccer (a game for chaps with an extremely low pain threshold), I must say that I jumped on the bandwagon at the last World Cup and was especially proud when Australia buried Japan in the pool games. If anything, I would like to see the same thing happen again next week if just to shut up the local gutter press.
funkymofo at 03:13 PM JST - 5th February

Should be a close game, especially with Emerton out. Hope the Aussies nail Japan.
japal4649 at 03:43 PM JST - 5th February

Emerton not playing next week is a blow to the Socceroos, but I think we have the depth to withhold all attacks from Japan. Jade North will need to play a big game. Endo will need to be marked closely - he is dangerous. I'll be there waving the flag.....Go the 'roos!!
gooner at 04:31 PM JST - 5th February

japan usually look confident against opponents who they feel superior to and lose it against teams they feel inferior to
Bogi at 05:41 PM JST - 5th February

Anyone can beat Finland, even a Dutch high school team could easily take care of the Finnish national side.

norinrad21, what's your point? we shouldn't praise a team that played brilliantly against a weaker team?

Didn't realise old 'Nippon' had a game!! There about as stimulating as watching paint dry!!

whitepocky, you obviously didn't watch the game. i have been a harsh critic of J football over the years, but watching Japan play last night was very entertaining. They simply played good football.
buddha4brains at 07:17 PM JST - 5th February

Bogi of course Japan played very good, they were never in danger of losing the game. They were not pushed - other than when the Finns thought they were playing ice hockey. Normally I would cheer anyone from the old country, but I had to hold my nose at this stinker.
daigoro2608 at 10:46 PM JST - 5th February

The Japanese team needed to learn to just shoot. After this performance they appear to be doing just that. The socceroos are OK and passionate but sometimes clumsy... A well disciplined J-squad with the confidence to strike can take care of them.
LostinNagoya at 12:42 AM JST - 6th February

Ha! this will be a regional classic! Good to see passionate Australians facing the hopeful Japanese. My bet: Australia 2 x 1 Japan. But I wish Japan goes to the finals in Africa, but second after Australia. eheh.
jessssicaaa at 08:46 AM JST - 6th February

GO AUSTRALIAAAAAAAAA!!! ;DD

goodluck japan. ;]]