Date: 23 June 2013
Venue: Belo
The verdict: Japan Redeems Pride, 3-2
Japan and Mexico have already lost their bid for the Confederations Cup trophy. Their upcoming match, however, promises a spectacle of pure and unadulterated struggle for national pride and honor.
With both teams passionate enough to prevent a disgraceful slip to the bottom, Japan exemplifies a stronger determination to redeem its fallen squad.
It is never hard to hail Mexico as favorites. It had the upper-hand during their last encounter in 2005. Yet, eight (8) years after and with their recent performance, Japan proved to be in a much better form and have a better chance of going home with heads held up high.
Throughout the tournament, El Tri had only scored once, thanks to Javier Hernandez’s penalty kick. This gives a clear picture of the squad’s declining ability to dive closer to the net and its struggling defence as well.
However, the Blue Samurais showed a different story. After failing to score against Brazil, Zaccheroni and his men subjected Italy to a down the wire battle and fired three (3) goals. Indeed, it was a match where the Italians should have never won if not for Sebastian Giovinco’s last salvo.
Mexico’s lackluster performance also gives the impression that Hernandez is the only force that Japan has to reckon with. But then again, it is another different story for the Japanese’s side. Against El Tri’s Hernandez, Zaccheroni has playmakers, Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa to boot.
Japan has come a long way since the tournament started. Yet, it is also worthy to mention that the team has also improved tremendously. The adjustment has been quick. And victory is coming fast to the first team that has qualified in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Photo Credit: Zimbio
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