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A Clean Sweep
With 13 goals in 3 matches, and 100% clean record, Japan proved to be more than one of the contenders for the Asian cup - Lebanon 2000; Qatar, with a high spirited display were the exception for the Japanese domination, as they were able to draw with the mighty Nippon 1-1 tonight at Beirut Sports City.
Qatar's coach, Dzemal Hadziabdic, said his team got lucky because the Japanese did not play to their full capacity. "The Japanese team did not play 100 percent seriously," said Hazdiabdic. The Qatar is concentrated on putting on a good defense knowing the Japanese were a fast team with plenty of quality players.
Hadziabdic defended the changes he introduced to his lineup, saying the team tried to achieve the maximum.
"We are pleased with this result, or 0-0 or 0-1 loss," said Hadziabdic.
"We were happy to play a draw with the best team in the tournament," he added.
Japan's coach, Philippe Troussier, used a different approach during this game in order to give some players the chance to play. But they faced a new challenge when one of their players was kicked out.
"For us, we had a different approach because we knew we had already qualified," said Troussier.
"It is good we did not lose the match, which was a good preparation for Japan's play in the quarterfinals," he added.
Troussier said he does not intend to change his strategy in the next match against Iraq, because each player has a special attitude he cannot and does not want to change. The only difference will be in the team's reaction to the game itself.
"The road to the last-eight has a fifty-fifty percent chance of success for everybody," said Troussier.
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