FOOTBALL: Japan outclass South Korea

Kagawa. Too much, too good, two goals.

The Blue Samurai displayed a footballing showcase befitting of Barcelona in their clinical 3-0 dismantling of a stunned South Korea at Saitomo Stadium on Wednesday. The Asian Champions had quite simply, too many superstars with too much class against the visiting Koreans, who failed to find any answers, against a superior attack.

The game began with expected balance. Although Japan dominated possession, Korea provided the best chances early on, bursting on the counter-attack. At the 35min mark however, the deadlock was broken when Uchida cleverly waited on the ball before releasing it to Tadanari Lee who skillfully flicked it through his legs to Kagawa, sneaking between the defenders to find the net. The Blue Samurai then exploited the use of the passing triangle another 2 times in a period when they ran riot just after half time, extending with further goals from goldenbrow Honda and Kagawa for his second. Korea to their credit, kept fighting and created a number of excellent opportunities at the end, but their execution was poor with shots that were well wide.

For Japan, the quality at their disposal is setting this team well above all others that have come and gone. Uchida and Nagatomo (absent) are starting to excel with pace and aggression from WB positions, undoubtedly due to their recent time in Europe. The captain Hasebe, holds everything together in midfield running his legs off all game, whilst the experienced Yasuhito Endo pulls the strings with pinpoint distribution. You then have pesky Okazaki, superb Honda and the Messi-like Kagawa as attacking options, all sitting behind the hero from the Asian Championship Final, Tadanari Lee. The only slight weakness lies in their unfamiliar back 2, but when Nakazawa and Tulio return as they should, it will provide the solidity and strength seen in the World Cup.  

As for South Korea, they need another Ji Sung Park. Maybe another 2. The team has lost much since his early retirement, and such genius is not easily replaced. Duri looked a player with presence, but won't manage the feet of international success on his own, if Korea are to progress.

Going back to Kagawa, this boy looks exceptional. A predator for space, his delicate touches make him a hard man to catch, and his quick trigger and precision gives him goals at ease. With Dortmund qualified for the European Championship, he will have ample opportunity to show the big guns what he has, and hopefully become one of the stars of the game.