This just doesn't sound like something Honda would say. I suppose being the actual MVP made it easier to dish out a fake mvp.
Congrats to Japan and its fans. It will be interesting to see how many of these players will be allowed to play in the Copa America. Having the official Asian Champions in the tournament makes it even more interesting (assuming you bring a great team).
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/news/2011/01/31/kiji/K20110131000157340.html Interesting... the shift in tactics in 2nd half was not Zac's real master plan. When Zac wanted to sub Iwamasa in, his initial plan was to move Konno between Hasebe and Endo. Konno made a "No"-sign because of an injury he got in 1st half it would have been to hard for him to play in midfield, and because such system was not tested. Zac then changed his mind and moved Nagatomo/Uchida up instead, when he introduced Iwamasa. It seems to me that initial plan would have made us look quite like Okada's eleven at the WC: 4-1(Konno)-4-1? Anyway, doesn't matter now, but I like the fact that communication between Zac and the team is working.
"We're just disappointed that the goal against Korea Republic (in the 1-1 group phase draw) was our mistake rather than good play and the goal against Japan was the same," -Lucas Neill. I find this kind of offensive...
My final conclusions on Qatar... If you care... http://www.goal.com/en/news/3550/as.../asian-cup-2011-what-does-japans-victory-mean
no pic but here in video you can see at 2:30min around: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OljxA9UeHFo"]YouTube - ?????? 2011 ?? ??×??????? ??????[/ame]
He should have stuck to the script and let Cahill be the gracious spokesman. At least Neill was being honest though I suppose.
If anyone is interested in having a good laugh (and also getting a clear sense of how important this championship was to the Japanese people), go to the Daily Yomiuri website and look for their article on Japan's historic fourth AC title: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/
Well, I can understand that they were disappointed, considering they didn't convert a hatful of chances and it was the final, but meh. I've never liked Neill anyway.
Zac should have let a Giants player warm the bench for the JNT. Would have been funny to see headlines like "Giants power Samurai Blue to baseball-fuelled success". edit: I see that the Top League rugby gets a pass though, probably because most of the teams are based in Tokyo and still operate entirely at the graces of the companies that own them.
Team Captain regrets defensive f--kup that lead to concession of Grand Final-losing goal. ARRROGANCE!