FIFA’s move to curb political interference in Iraq’s football has sent a strong message to the government in Baghdad, Iraq Football Association president Hussein Saeed said here Friday.
Saeed was at the heart of efforts to successfully persuade football’s world governing body to reverse a decision to suspend Iraq from competition, allowing their World Cup qualifier against Australia in Brisbane to proceed Sunday.
FIFA had given Baghdad a deadline of Thursday to reinstate the IFA after it dissolved the National Olympic Committee last week, or face a 12-month ban from international football.
The suspension was provisionally lifted after the Iraq government sent a letter to FIFA confirming that the federation had not been sacked.
Iraq, the reigning Asian champions, faced the threat of being kicked out of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, but Saeed said the national team was now focused on beating Australia this weekend.
“Our team had a bad psychology before they came to Australia, one week ago there was a problem between our Olympic committee and the government, but yesterday they practised earnestly,” Saeed told reporters during Friday’s FIFA Congress here.
“We have four more (group) matches to qualify for the World Cup and I think they will concentrate on the match and not on administrative matters.”
Saeed said FIFA’s decision to lift the ban had given more power to his country’s footballers.
“Now the (Iraqi) government knows the rules. Because somebody has given false information to the government that they can interfere in the sport and control the sport… now they know what the rules are,” he said.
Saeed said he hoped there would be no future problems of interference from the government with sports in his troubled country.
FIFA has warned Iraq that it may immediately re-impose the suspension if the relevant article of the FIFA Statutes was violated again.
The unfathomably close ball control, the quick bursts of agility, his deft passing, and deadly accurate shot have all combined to place him comfortably in soccer lore forever.
The new Messi Jersey is perfect for all you Messi fans out there, and trust me there everywhere, and its no surprise since they boast one of the world's greatest players in Messi.
Pick up your messi argentina jersey size 28 today and cheer on all the good times to come.
The world body said it will invite a delegation consisting of the Asian Football Confederation, the IFA and representatives of the Iraqi government to Zurich as soon as possible to clarify all outstanding issues.
Monday, September 5, 2016
Cameroon coach Pfister questioned by police: press
Cameroon coach Otto Pfister has been questioned by police after accusations by the agent who negotiated his contract that he failed to receive his commission, the press reported here on Thursday.
Agent Fernand Taninche is claiming 24 million CFA francs (36,300 euros) from Pfister for his role in helping him complete the deal last year.
The 71-year-old German, who was not contactable on Thursday, was hired by the Cameroon Sports Ministry controversially against the advice of the Cameroon football federation (Fecafoot), as a replacement for Dutchman Arie Haan.
Cameroon are training in Yaounde in the run-up to Saturday's 2010 African Nations Cup and World Cup qualifier at North Atlantic island Cap Verde.
Le federazioni nazionali di Italia e Australia hanno siglato a Sydney un accordo di partnership siglato dal presidente Abete insieme alla sua controparte australiana Frank Lowy.
Secondo quanto stabilito, i due paesi collaboreranno con scambi e condivisione di risorse di allenamento, arbitraggio, calcio giovanile e femminile.
“Nell’accordo è stabilito chiaramente che i due paesi si aiuteranno l’un l’altro e si sosterranno in ogni maniera possibile, se uno dei due si candida per un torneo o evento internazionale”, ha detto Abete. He has set records at FC Barcelona that many thought would never be broken. His statistics speak for themselves, but there is nothing quite like watching him play.
The new Messi Soccer Jersey is perfect for all you Messi fans out there, and trust me there everywhere, and its no surprise since they boast one of the world's greatest players in Messi.
Pick up your messi argentina jersey size 26 today and cheer on all the good times to come. Il riferimento è alla candidatura del paese “down under” per i Mondiali del 2018
Agent Fernand Taninche is claiming 24 million CFA francs (36,300 euros) from Pfister for his role in helping him complete the deal last year.
The 71-year-old German, who was not contactable on Thursday, was hired by the Cameroon Sports Ministry controversially against the advice of the Cameroon football federation (Fecafoot), as a replacement for Dutchman Arie Haan.
Cameroon are training in Yaounde in the run-up to Saturday's 2010 African Nations Cup and World Cup qualifier at North Atlantic island Cap Verde.
Le federazioni nazionali di Italia e Australia hanno siglato a Sydney un accordo di partnership siglato dal presidente Abete insieme alla sua controparte australiana Frank Lowy.
Secondo quanto stabilito, i due paesi collaboreranno con scambi e condivisione di risorse di allenamento, arbitraggio, calcio giovanile e femminile.
“Nell’accordo è stabilito chiaramente che i due paesi si aiuteranno l’un l’altro e si sosterranno in ogni maniera possibile, se uno dei due si candida per un torneo o evento internazionale”, ha detto Abete. He has set records at FC Barcelona that many thought would never be broken. His statistics speak for themselves, but there is nothing quite like watching him play.
The new Messi Soccer Jersey is perfect for all you Messi fans out there, and trust me there everywhere, and its no surprise since they boast one of the world's greatest players in Messi.
Pick up your messi argentina jersey size 26 today and cheer on all the good times to come. Il riferimento è alla candidatura del paese “down under” per i Mondiali del 2018
Japan football coach Okada drops Takahara
Japan football coach Takeshi Okada has dropped former Eintracht Frankfurt striker Naohiro Takahara from his squad for crucial upcoming World Cup qualifiers because of poor form.
“He'd better train with his club and bring himself back into form from where he is now,” Okada told reporters. “With the national team he will have limited time for training.”
Takahara returned in January to the J-League when he signed for Asian champions Urawa Reds from the Bundesliga. But he has scored only two goals for his new club this season, which opened in March, and none for his country in four internationals.
“I wish he will come back when he is confident of his condition,” said the coach. Takahara was given only limited playing time in the second half in Japan's scoreless friendly draw with Paraguay at home on Tuesday.
In upcoming qualifiers, Japan will play Oman in Yokohama on Monday, travel to Muscat for the return on June 7 and face Thailand away on June 14.
Okada will then reconsider his line-up for Japan's final Asian Group 2 match against Bahrain at home on June 22. Bahrain, who shocked Japan 1-0 in March, are top of Asian Group 2 with two wins and six points. Japan and Oman are level on three ahead of winless Thailand.
The top two finishers will advance to the final Asian qualifying round from September. Squad
Goalkeepers: Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi (Jubilo Iwata), Seigo Narazaki (Nagoya Grampus), Eiji Kawashima (Kawasaki Frontale)
Defenders: Shuhei Terada (Kawasaki Frontale), Yuji Nakazawa (Yokohama Marinos), Marcus Tulio Tanaka (Urawa Reds), Yuichi Komano (Jubilo Iwata), Yuki Abe (Urawa Reds), Yusuke Igawa (Kawasaki Frontale), Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), Atsuto Uchida (Kashima Antlers)
Midfielders: Shunsuke Nakamura (Celtic/SCO), Yasuhito Endo (Gamba Osaka), Kengo Nakamura (Kawasaki Frontale), Daisuke Matsui (Saint Etienne/FRA), Keita Suzuki (Urawa Reds), Koji Yamase (Yokohama F Marinos), Yasuyuki Konno (FC Tokyo), Makoto Hasebe (VfL Wolfsburg/GER), Shinji Kagawa (Cerezo Osaka)
Magnificent, magical, mesmerizing, marvelous, majestic. All of these describe the mercurial Messi - and those are only adjectives that begin with "M". Yes, Lionel is one of the greats already. His numbers for club and country are astounding.
The new Messi Jersey is perfect for all you Messi fans out there, and trust me there everywhere, and its no surprise since they boast one of the world's greatest players in Messi.
Pick up your messi argentina jersey size 24 today and cheer on all the good times to come. Forwards: Keiji Tamada (Nagoya Grampus), Seiichiro Maki (JEF United Chiba), Yoshito Okubo (Vissel Kobe), Kisho Yano (Albirex Niigata)
“He'd better train with his club and bring himself back into form from where he is now,” Okada told reporters. “With the national team he will have limited time for training.”
Takahara returned in January to the J-League when he signed for Asian champions Urawa Reds from the Bundesliga. But he has scored only two goals for his new club this season, which opened in March, and none for his country in four internationals.
“I wish he will come back when he is confident of his condition,” said the coach. Takahara was given only limited playing time in the second half in Japan's scoreless friendly draw with Paraguay at home on Tuesday.
In upcoming qualifiers, Japan will play Oman in Yokohama on Monday, travel to Muscat for the return on June 7 and face Thailand away on June 14.
Okada will then reconsider his line-up for Japan's final Asian Group 2 match against Bahrain at home on June 22. Bahrain, who shocked Japan 1-0 in March, are top of Asian Group 2 with two wins and six points. Japan and Oman are level on three ahead of winless Thailand.
The top two finishers will advance to the final Asian qualifying round from September. Squad
Goalkeepers: Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi (Jubilo Iwata), Seigo Narazaki (Nagoya Grampus), Eiji Kawashima (Kawasaki Frontale)
Defenders: Shuhei Terada (Kawasaki Frontale), Yuji Nakazawa (Yokohama Marinos), Marcus Tulio Tanaka (Urawa Reds), Yuichi Komano (Jubilo Iwata), Yuki Abe (Urawa Reds), Yusuke Igawa (Kawasaki Frontale), Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), Atsuto Uchida (Kashima Antlers)
Midfielders: Shunsuke Nakamura (Celtic/SCO), Yasuhito Endo (Gamba Osaka), Kengo Nakamura (Kawasaki Frontale), Daisuke Matsui (Saint Etienne/FRA), Keita Suzuki (Urawa Reds), Koji Yamase (Yokohama F Marinos), Yasuyuki Konno (FC Tokyo), Makoto Hasebe (VfL Wolfsburg/GER), Shinji Kagawa (Cerezo Osaka)
Magnificent, magical, mesmerizing, marvelous, majestic. All of these describe the mercurial Messi - and those are only adjectives that begin with "M". Yes, Lionel is one of the greats already. His numbers for club and country are astounding.
The new Messi Jersey is perfect for all you Messi fans out there, and trust me there everywhere, and its no surprise since they boast one of the world's greatest players in Messi.
Pick up your messi argentina jersey size 24 today and cheer on all the good times to come. Forwards: Keiji Tamada (Nagoya Grampus), Seiichiro Maki (JEF United Chiba), Yoshito Okubo (Vissel Kobe), Kisho Yano (Albirex Niigata)
Stambouli appointed Togo coach after winning concessions
Experienced French coach Henri Stambouli was charged with guiding Togo to the 2010 World Cup finals and the African Nations Cup finals the same year when he signed a two year contract on Wednesday.
The 46-year-old Algerian-born former goalkeeper had looked like turning down the national federation's offer because he was appalled at the machinations in selecting the national squad.
However, after holding further talks with the federation he agreed to put pen to paper and take on one of Africa's more turbulent coaching posts, though, the players managed to overcome the political infighting by reaching the 2006 African Nations Cup and World Cup finals.
“Today (Wednesday) is a big day, a seminal moment for Togolese football. “I hope that we are really going to think about the future,” added Stambouli, who has also had spells coaching Guinea and Mali, taking the latter to the 2004 African Nations Cup semi-finals.
Stambouli replaces Nigerian Stephen Keshi, who knows all about the trials and tribulations of the job having guided them to the World Cup finals before being unceremoniously dumped prior to them after a bust-up with star striker Emmanuel Adebayor at that year's African Nations Cup finals.
Stambouli, who took Moroccan club side FAR Rabat to the 2006 CAF Cup, admitted that he had been frank with the federation over interfering in selection.
“I put a little bit of pressure on the federation, not over problems with the contract but over the internal structure and the organisation,” Stambouli told AFP on Tuesday.
The unfathomably close ball control, the quick bursts of agility, his deft passing, and deadly accurate shot have all combined to place him comfortably in soccer lore forever.
The new Messi Soccer Jersey is perfect for all you Messi fans out there, and trust me there everywhere, and its no surprise since they boast one of the world's greatest players in Messi.
Pick up your messi argentina jersey size 22 today and cheer on all the good times to come. His first challenge comes this Saturday when Togo take on Zambia in the Ghanaian capital Accra in a match counting for both qualification for the African Nations Cup and World Cup.
The 46-year-old Algerian-born former goalkeeper had looked like turning down the national federation's offer because he was appalled at the machinations in selecting the national squad.
However, after holding further talks with the federation he agreed to put pen to paper and take on one of Africa's more turbulent coaching posts, though, the players managed to overcome the political infighting by reaching the 2006 African Nations Cup and World Cup finals.
“Today (Wednesday) is a big day, a seminal moment for Togolese football. “I hope that we are really going to think about the future,” added Stambouli, who has also had spells coaching Guinea and Mali, taking the latter to the 2004 African Nations Cup semi-finals.
Stambouli replaces Nigerian Stephen Keshi, who knows all about the trials and tribulations of the job having guided them to the World Cup finals before being unceremoniously dumped prior to them after a bust-up with star striker Emmanuel Adebayor at that year's African Nations Cup finals.
Stambouli, who took Moroccan club side FAR Rabat to the 2006 CAF Cup, admitted that he had been frank with the federation over interfering in selection.
“I put a little bit of pressure on the federation, not over problems with the contract but over the internal structure and the organisation,” Stambouli told AFP on Tuesday.
The unfathomably close ball control, the quick bursts of agility, his deft passing, and deadly accurate shot have all combined to place him comfortably in soccer lore forever.
The new Messi Soccer Jersey is perfect for all you Messi fans out there, and trust me there everywhere, and its no surprise since they boast one of the world's greatest players in Messi.
Pick up your messi argentina jersey size 22 today and cheer on all the good times to come. His first challenge comes this Saturday when Togo take on Zambia in the Ghanaian capital Accra in a match counting for both qualification for the African Nations Cup and World Cup.
Iraq says football association not sacked
Iraq's football governing body was not sacked under a decree that covered other sports, the government said on Wednesday in a move that could see them play its World Cup qualifier in Australia.
The Iraqi government said it never sacked the football federation and that it was also not covered by the “resolution 184” that dissolved the National Olympic Committee last week and sparked a controversy with FIFA.
FIFA had warned it would suspend Iraq from international competition for 12 months unless Baghdad reinstated the Iraq Football Association by 1400GMT on Thursday.
The Iraqi team is currently in Australia preparing for their qualifier on Sunday. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's aide, Bassam al-Husseini, said he hoped the national team will play Australia after Baghdad sent a letter to FIFA confirming that the federation had not been sacked.
“The Iraqi Federation of Football is not covered by resolution 184 and it continues to engage in internal and external activities until the holding of elections,” Husseini said.
The Iraqis arrived in Australia late Tuesday after a friendly in Thailand where the Asian champions lost 2-1 after news of the developments back home broke.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter had warned that Iraq must back down from 'political interference' in its national football federation so the team can play their World Cup qualifier.
However, he also added that he had a 'good feeling' that Iraq will play their match in Brisbane on Sunday. The game was put in jeopardy after the world governing body took note of Baghdad's sacking of its national Olympic committee and several other sporting bodies.
He has set records at FC Barcelona that many thought would never be broken. His statistics speak for themselves, but there is nothing quite like watching him play.
The new Messi Jersey is perfect for all you Messi fans out there, and trust me there everywhere, and its no surprise since they boast one of the world's greatest players in Messi.
Pick up your messi argentina jersey soccer kits today and cheer on all the good times to come. FIFA's executive committee had given the Baghdad government the opportunity to revoke its decree by Friday before slapping a suspension on Iraq.
The Iraqi government said it never sacked the football federation and that it was also not covered by the “resolution 184” that dissolved the National Olympic Committee last week and sparked a controversy with FIFA.
FIFA had warned it would suspend Iraq from international competition for 12 months unless Baghdad reinstated the Iraq Football Association by 1400GMT on Thursday.
The Iraqi team is currently in Australia preparing for their qualifier on Sunday. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's aide, Bassam al-Husseini, said he hoped the national team will play Australia after Baghdad sent a letter to FIFA confirming that the federation had not been sacked.
“The Iraqi Federation of Football is not covered by resolution 184 and it continues to engage in internal and external activities until the holding of elections,” Husseini said.
The Iraqis arrived in Australia late Tuesday after a friendly in Thailand where the Asian champions lost 2-1 after news of the developments back home broke.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter had warned that Iraq must back down from 'political interference' in its national football federation so the team can play their World Cup qualifier.
However, he also added that he had a 'good feeling' that Iraq will play their match in Brisbane on Sunday. The game was put in jeopardy after the world governing body took note of Baghdad's sacking of its national Olympic committee and several other sporting bodies.
He has set records at FC Barcelona that many thought would never be broken. His statistics speak for themselves, but there is nothing quite like watching him play.
The new Messi Jersey is perfect for all you Messi fans out there, and trust me there everywhere, and its no surprise since they boast one of the world's greatest players in Messi.
Pick up your messi argentina jersey soccer kits today and cheer on all the good times to come. FIFA's executive committee had given the Baghdad government the opportunity to revoke its decree by Friday before slapping a suspension on Iraq.
Iraq confident Australia clash will go ahead
Iraq are confident of playing Australia in their World Cup qualifier this weekend, but have been rattled by moves back home that could see the game abandoned, coach Adnan Hamad said Wednesday.
The match is under a cloud after world governing body FIFA said Iraq would be suspended from international competition for a year unless the Iraqi government reinstated the Iraq Football Association by midnight on Thursday (1400GMT).
The Iraqi government said it sacked its national Olympic committee, and all sports federations, because it had lacked a quorum to conduct its meetings and had not held elections for more than five years.
The Iraqis arrived in Australia late Tuesday after a friendly in Thailand where the Asian champions lost 2-1 after news of the developments back home broke.
Hamad said the players struggled to put the turmoil out of their minds and focus on football. “Against Thailand, the players were all affected by what was happening now and lost all concentration,” he said through a translator.
“This is an important game after losing to Qatar (2-0) and that is why we will try and make the players feel most comfortable but as you know that is very hard.”
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has called on Iraq to back down from its political interference in its national football federation but said Tuesday he had a “good feeling” that Sunday’s qualifier in Brisbane would go ahead.
Hamad said the Iraqi people would suffer if his team were banned. “Soccer brings happiness to the Iraqi people who are living in hardship back home,” he said. “Soccer would lose a big team in Iraq.”
The coach said the Socceroos had underestimated his team in the past but that they would approach the contest differently this time.
“Of course, after the game against Iraq in the Asian Cup (in 2007, when Iraq beat Australia 3-1) they are preparing better and are more focused on Iraq,” he said.
“The Australian team is an excellent team and we have to respect them and they have higher chances of qualifying for the next round.” Magnificent, magical, mesmerizing, marvelous, majestic. All of these describe the mercurial Messi - and those are only adjectives that begin with "M". Yes, Lionel is one of the greats already. His numbers for club and country are astounding.
The new Messi Soccer Jersey is perfect for all you Messi fans out there, and trust me there everywhere, and its no surprise since they boast one of the world's greatest players in Messi.
Pick up your Where can I buy a messi argentina jersey? today and cheer on all the good times to come. Iraq are placed last in the four-team qualifying group which also includes China and Qatar.
The match is under a cloud after world governing body FIFA said Iraq would be suspended from international competition for a year unless the Iraqi government reinstated the Iraq Football Association by midnight on Thursday (1400GMT).
The Iraqi government said it sacked its national Olympic committee, and all sports federations, because it had lacked a quorum to conduct its meetings and had not held elections for more than five years.
The Iraqis arrived in Australia late Tuesday after a friendly in Thailand where the Asian champions lost 2-1 after news of the developments back home broke.
Hamad said the players struggled to put the turmoil out of their minds and focus on football. “Against Thailand, the players were all affected by what was happening now and lost all concentration,” he said through a translator.
“This is an important game after losing to Qatar (2-0) and that is why we will try and make the players feel most comfortable but as you know that is very hard.”
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has called on Iraq to back down from its political interference in its national football federation but said Tuesday he had a “good feeling” that Sunday’s qualifier in Brisbane would go ahead.
Hamad said the Iraqi people would suffer if his team were banned. “Soccer brings happiness to the Iraqi people who are living in hardship back home,” he said. “Soccer would lose a big team in Iraq.”
The coach said the Socceroos had underestimated his team in the past but that they would approach the contest differently this time.
“Of course, after the game against Iraq in the Asian Cup (in 2007, when Iraq beat Australia 3-1) they are preparing better and are more focused on Iraq,” he said.
“The Australian team is an excellent team and we have to respect them and they have higher chances of qualifying for the next round.” Magnificent, magical, mesmerizing, marvelous, majestic. All of these describe the mercurial Messi - and those are only adjectives that begin with "M". Yes, Lionel is one of the greats already. His numbers for club and country are astounding.
The new Messi Soccer Jersey is perfect for all you Messi fans out there, and trust me there everywhere, and its no surprise since they boast one of the world's greatest players in Messi.
Pick up your Where can I buy a messi argentina jersey? today and cheer on all the good times to come. Iraq are placed last in the four-team qualifying group which also includes China and Qatar.
Nakamura vital for football World Cup bid: Japan coach
Japan coach Takeshi Okada admitted Celtic star Shunsuke Nakamura was vital to their World Cup qualifying campaign after being recalled from eight months on the sidelines.
Nakamura, despite playing with a painful left thigh, was the main plus of Tuesday's drab 0-0 draw with Paraguay which helped Asia's top-ranked team retain the Kirin Cup.
Japan return to World Cup qualifying against Oman at home on Monday with work to do after a shock defeat to Bahrain in March.
“I have realised anew his presence, the accuracy of his play and the fact that he is a player with very high ability to read how the game develops,” Okada said.
“We cannot afford to lose the World Cup qualifiers. We are determined to win and we'll keep it up,” he said. Okada used his European-based players in the mini-tournament for the first time since returning to the role in December following Ivica Osim's life-threatening stroke.
“I have tried to build a solid team base through the Kirin Cup and I am feeling some good response,” Okada said. “We are getting faster in moving the ball. We will keep on doing that.”
Japan struggled past under-strength Ivory Coast 1-0 in their earlier Kirin Cup match, which Nakamura missed while he helped Celtic clinch their third straight Scottish title on the last day of the season.
“With Shun (Nakamura) in the game, we could find where to put the ball,” said midfielder Yasuhito Endo. Nakamura said the team passed well but lamented their profligacy in front of goal.
“We lacked follow-up moves,” he said. “We must play in a way to embarrass the opponents. We must be aware about what we should do to win.” Local media agreed, with the influential daily Asahi saying Japan “lacked finishing touches and ended scoreless after failing to break down Paraguay's solid defence.”
After Monday's match, Japan play away in Oman on June 7 and Thailand on June 14. They will then fly home hoping for revenge against Bahrain on June 22.
Bahrain are top of Asian Group 2 with two wins and six points, ahead of Japan and Oman on three and winless Thailand. The top two finishers will advance to the final Asian qualifying round from September.
Nakamura has admitted a “sense of crisis” surrounds Japan's qualifying campaign and has vowed to help them win all four remaining matches. The unfathomably close ball control, the quick bursts of agility, his deft passing, and deadly accurate shot have all combined to place him comfortably in soccer lore forever.
The new Messi Jersey is perfect for all you Messi fans out there, and trust me there everywhere, and its no surprise since they boast one of the world's greatest players in Messi.
Pick up your messi argentina striped jersey today and cheer on all the good times to come. The playmaker was at the heart of Japan's best moves, crossing to Marcus Tulio Tanaka and Seeichiro Maki and shooting from distance. In frustration, he shot direct from a corner in stoppage time.
Nakamura, despite playing with a painful left thigh, was the main plus of Tuesday's drab 0-0 draw with Paraguay which helped Asia's top-ranked team retain the Kirin Cup.
Japan return to World Cup qualifying against Oman at home on Monday with work to do after a shock defeat to Bahrain in March.
“I have realised anew his presence, the accuracy of his play and the fact that he is a player with very high ability to read how the game develops,” Okada said.
“We cannot afford to lose the World Cup qualifiers. We are determined to win and we'll keep it up,” he said. Okada used his European-based players in the mini-tournament for the first time since returning to the role in December following Ivica Osim's life-threatening stroke.
“I have tried to build a solid team base through the Kirin Cup and I am feeling some good response,” Okada said. “We are getting faster in moving the ball. We will keep on doing that.”
Japan struggled past under-strength Ivory Coast 1-0 in their earlier Kirin Cup match, which Nakamura missed while he helped Celtic clinch their third straight Scottish title on the last day of the season.
“With Shun (Nakamura) in the game, we could find where to put the ball,” said midfielder Yasuhito Endo. Nakamura said the team passed well but lamented their profligacy in front of goal.
“We lacked follow-up moves,” he said. “We must play in a way to embarrass the opponents. We must be aware about what we should do to win.” Local media agreed, with the influential daily Asahi saying Japan “lacked finishing touches and ended scoreless after failing to break down Paraguay's solid defence.”
After Monday's match, Japan play away in Oman on June 7 and Thailand on June 14. They will then fly home hoping for revenge against Bahrain on June 22.
Bahrain are top of Asian Group 2 with two wins and six points, ahead of Japan and Oman on three and winless Thailand. The top two finishers will advance to the final Asian qualifying round from September.
Nakamura has admitted a “sense of crisis” surrounds Japan's qualifying campaign and has vowed to help them win all four remaining matches. The unfathomably close ball control, the quick bursts of agility, his deft passing, and deadly accurate shot have all combined to place him comfortably in soccer lore forever.
The new Messi Jersey is perfect for all you Messi fans out there, and trust me there everywhere, and its no surprise since they boast one of the world's greatest players in Messi.
Pick up your messi argentina striped jersey today and cheer on all the good times to come. The playmaker was at the heart of Japan's best moves, crossing to Marcus Tulio Tanaka and Seeichiro Maki and shooting from distance. In frustration, he shot direct from a corner in stoppage time.
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