Blunt Blue Samurai
Japan were left rueing the absence of a proper striking threat after going down 1-0 to the Netherlands in their second World Cup Group E match here on Saturday.
The Blue Samurai, who beat Cameroon in their opening game, were starved of possession for large periods of the game by a Dutch team that bossed midfield, meaning they had to capitalise on their rare efforts in front of goal.
They failed to do that and coach Takeshi Okada said thoughts were now immediately switched to their final group game against Denmark in Rustenburg on June 24.
"We played a strong team. We wanted a point but unfortunately couldn't get it," he said.
"We have no time to look down. Our next game is against Denmark. We'll get rid of the players' fatigue and be ready for that match."
Okada added: "We don't have a very powerful centre forward. We do have good mobility and a solid defence.
"But defence alone is not enough and I told the players to be courageous and attack. We were not, however, able to deliver a result.
"In the second half, the Dutch counter-attacked and it was a bad start for us," Okada said in reference to the 52nd-minute strike by Wesley Sneijder that saw the Oranje take full control of the match.
"The players are disappointed. I don't intend to make any major changes. We'll recover physically and mentally to play our very best against Denmark."
Nagoya Grampus centre back Marcus Tulio Tanaka put in a sterling effort in defence, using his 1.85m frame to clear the Japanese lines on many occasions, and even moving up into a striking role in a desperate last few minutes.
But he was quick to doff his cap to the Netherlands' superior nous in front of goal.
"The opponents showed their devastating shooting skills," the Brazil-born defender said. "They made good the single chance they had. We could not do the same and that made a difference."
CSKA Moscow midfielder Keisuke Honda said the Japanese would now turn a page and focus on their game against Denmark.
"Although there was a difference in potential between the two sides, we fought well," he said.
"A defeat is a defeat. I will accept it as it is and prepare for the next."
Centre back Yuji Nakazawa was upbeat, saying the Blue Samurai could take positives from the game, in which the Dutch dominated territory and possession.
"I want to refocus on the next match," he said. "We don't need to hang our heads down because it was not that everything went wrong. We should prepare ourselves well for the (Denmark) game."
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