I'm not sure why someone would go into the pre match thread if they didn't want the score, but let's put all post match discussion here. FT New Zealand [0 - 3] Japan 11' [0 - 1] Nakamura 65' [0 - 2] Nakata 75' [0 - 3] Nakamura
Thank you for setting up the post match thread. This result is terribly discouraging but I'll wait until I can see the tape delayed match tonight before making any substative comments.
Details on the goals from eurosport.com: 10' : NAKAMURA!!!!!!GOAL FOR JAPAN!!!!! Inamoto takes the ball in the midfield, he gives it to Takahara, a clever ball from Takahara on the left for Nakamura who scores with a low shot! 65' : NAKATA!!!! WHAT A SHOT!!!!!! He gets the ball in the midfield, runs towards the box and strikes 20 metres from the target.... IT'S IN!!!! 75' : NAKAMURA!!!!! HIS SECOND GOAL TONIGHT!!!! Yamada crosses from the right and Nakamura scores with a header! 3-0 JAPAN!!!!!
It seems like Japan should have had more goals. There were many opportunities missed. We'll see if this comes to haunt them later in the tournament. And seeing how Zico did not use a single substitution, it appears he will play for a draw with France, then try to qualify with a result against Colombia. Colombia's performance against France, then later against NZ will be crucial.
New Zealand was hopelessly inferior. Hardly any good scenes in the offence and bad marking at the goals (didn't watch the first half though). Btw. if there are some NZ insiders - what is Wynton Rufer doing meanwhile?
I don't think the All Whites did themselves any favours out there. The first half saw far too many passes intercepted by the Japanese and against a side ranked 23rd in the world you are going to be cut to pieces if you do that. The All Whites will be the most disappointed as they didn't show their skills in this game and it is not often that Oceania sides get to play on the world stage. Wouldn't have wanted to be in the All Whites changing room after the game. Wynton Rufer runs a soccer school targeting disadvantaged youth. Crowdie.
fortunately france won but the performance by colombia didn't sound good for japan. we will have a really hard time. i hope new zealand get better in the next game and upset the colombians.
Sombre All Whites A sombre and disappointed All Whites dressing room told the story of a missed opportunity following tonight’s 3-0 loss to Japan in Paris. Poor possession and passing options led to a below par performance from a New Zealand side that has promised to deliver something special at this tournament. Despite standout efforts from Vaughan Coveny and Ryan Nelsen, New Zealand were in the end well beaten by a fast and committed Japanese side under new coach Zico. The first goal came from one such indiscretion in midfield and two passes later an angled shot defeated Michael Utting for an 11th minute lead, just the start the All Whites didn’t need. The second half started much brighter with New Zealand dominating and going close to scoring. One Ivan Vicelich header in particular had the Japanese keeper at full stretch to palm the ball away for a corner. As New Zealand pushed though, so they became vulnerable to the quick break and Japan’s captain Nakata made it two nil with a rasping drive from 25 metres as defenders back pedalled. The scoring was complete with an unmarked header from 5 metres further breaking already damaged NZ hearts. The Stade de France attendance was given at 36,038 with a number of small pockets of New Zealand support heard constantly throughout. They were rewarded for their endeavours not with the win so desperately craved but with the consolation of autographs after the match as players sought them out to thank them. 6 of the 23 strong squad are nursing knocks. None are considered serious but time is the enemy, with less than 48 hours between games. Captain Chris Zoricich (ankle), Ryan Nelsen (calf), Mark Burton (knee), Chris Jackson (calf), Gerard Davis (calf) and Vaughan Coveny (corked thigh) will all travel overnight to Lyon with ice packs as close companions. NZ 0 M Utting, G Davis, C Zoricich, R Nelsen, D Oughton, S Elliott, M Burton (C Jackson 72nd), I Vicelich, V Coveny, C Killen (C Bouckenooghe 79th), A Lines (N Hickey 21st). Japan 3 Crowd: 36,038 From the Soccer NZ website. Crowdie.
nz reminded me of what we (the us) was like a few years ago- too unskilled and uncertain w/ and recieving the ball, little individual flair.
That's fitting to him. Was a very good player and a great personality. He's returning to Bremen whenever they got something to celebrate. He is close friend of Rosenborg's GM Rune Bratseth and ex-German NT player Marco Bode btw.
New Zealand's problem is that we don't get enough games against quality opposition. Our geographical position works against us on this one. Explains why the Australians are going to play all their home games in London. Crowdie.
How many All Whites are in Europe? If there are enough, they could arrange friendlies just using Euro-based players, even if it isn't the best squad?
Here's what Steve Sumner (the All Whites captain in 82 when we went to the World Cup in Spain) thought of the game - http://xtramsn.co.nz/musicandvideo/0,,6081-2460745-25,00.html Sums it up really. Crowdie.