
Yesterday, the Japan national team played against the United Arab Emirates in Saitama (or somewhere in Japan). Their style of play was quite attacking and quite attractive, with some nice moves involving Okubo, Okazaki, and Nakamura Shunsuke. However, Japan was unable to score a goal in the first half, or in the first half of the second half. Finally, after several substitutions, including Kagawa, a very young player, Kagawa scored a goal. Unfortunately, Japan wasn't able to add to their score, and near the end of the match they conceded an equaliser. Conceding late goals is becoming a worrying pattern.
One very encouraging thing was Koroki, a striker from Kashima Antlers. He almost scored a couple of times, and he attacked very aggressively, creating many chances for other players. It seems to me that he is the best by far of all Japan's strikers.
Next week, Japan will play a World Cup qualifier, which they have to win to have a good chance of qualifying.