Zaccheroni's Japan Under Pressure

[Folami David]

Even though Japan has qualified for the World Cup, Alberto Zaccheroni's team has come under criticism at home for its lackluster play less than a year out from Brazil.
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Japan has conceded 19 goals over the last seven matches starting with the Confederations Cup in June, when Japan lost its three group matches to Brazil, Italy and Mexico.
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Once considered a strength, defensive play has suddenly become a liability for Japan. Last month in a friendly at home, it was humbled 4-2 at the hands of South American champion Uruguay.
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"If they keep playing this style they will continue to lose," football analyst Sergio Echigo wrote in a column for Nikkansports after the loss to Uruguay.
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Since being hired in 2010, Zaccheroni has enjoyed a mostly successful run that included winning the Asian Cup and a comfortable qualifying campaign to the 2014 World Cup, but recent results have increased scrutiny.
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"Giving up goals has become the major issue for us," defender Maya Yoshida said. "We have to play more of a system and not leave ourselves exposed to one- on-one situations. Conceding no goals should be the objective in every game."
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Due to a lack of scoring, Japan has been forced to play a more attacking style but that has left the team exposed in their end of the pitch.
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Zaccheroni refuses to blame his defenders but says his players need to take a more balanced approach.
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"I tell our players to play in a compact manner and have courage and balance in mind in order to keep our attacking power," Zaccheroni said. "We lost our composure at the Confederations Cup but it was a problem of the entire team rather than one position."

[Shola Sholaz]

Kagawa played very well for Japan national team today so he must trully be commended. His goal was dope!