Japan defeated Australia in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup final on Saturday, January 29, 2011.

Australia 0-1 Japan Video Highlights

The match highlights can be viewed here at Free Soccer Highlights.

Australia 0-1 Japan Recap

Japan won a record 4th Asian Cup title with a 1-0 win over Australia on Saturday night in Qatar.

The is Japan’s first since 2004 while it’s Australia first time playing in the tournament since moving out of the Oceanic region. Both sides would have chances but it remained scoreless after 90 minutes. It would go into extra time with no team scoring in the first half. In the second half of extra time, Japan would score the lone goal of the match.

A cross was sent in the box and volley into the back of the net by Japan’s Tadanari Lee in the 109th minute. It was a solid finish but poor defending as Lee was completely unmarked in the box.

The next AFC Asian Cup will take place in 2015 with Australia as hosts.

Australia 0-1 Japan Match Stats

Scoring Summary

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In the Adriatic province of Cesenatico, where winter days are spent between the fishing of the clams the town calls poverazze and ripe cheese on piadina, a type of local pita bread, Zaccheroni’s achievements with Japan in the Asian Cup must have made headlines. Zaccheroni’s Japan has reached the finals by beating first Qatar 3-2 and then South Korea after penalties. In the footsteps of the Dutch wanderer Guus Hiddink, Zaccheroni is the latest example of a particular kind of made in Italy; his export also proves that the problems at Juventus last season were far beyond his control.

The match with Qatar offers significant tactical ideas. First of all, Japan adopted an advanced “high diamond”, supported by two holding midfielders, managing to keep Qatar’s full-backs on the back foot. If one places dotted lines on the formation, the effect would be somewhat similar to what Arsenal is doing this season: the movements inscribed within a rhomboid perimeter. The only disadvantage of this structure was a rather high and too chancy line of defense, which exposed Japan at deadly counterattacks.

After one of Japan’s central defenders was shown a red card, Zaccheroni reshuffled his men in an innovative 4-2-3 disposition, dropping the lone striker. Again, as in the first half, the use of three hybrid winger/playmakers did a lot of damage despite the numerical inferiority, and created corridors for Kagawa’s penetrations. Small in size and fluid in style, Japan’s no. 10 enjoyed a similar position to that of Oezil with Germany. The following video documents the two goals that completed Japan’s sensational comeback.

Zac, the Shogun from Meldola

The semi-final won against South Korea shows a different structure, more cagey. Both teams were equipped with a 4-2-3-1, and utilized well the space. The game was at times so fast one could hardly think. The tactical key for Zaccheroni was the linear progression of Nagatomo inviting cross on the left, something that forced Korea into a defensive 4-1-4-1.

Zac, the Shogun (Nagatomo bombing forward)

The Asian Cup sees the rise of a new formula of ‘total football’, whose tactical language is ultimately Dutch-inflected and partly suggested by the average height of the players. Among the freelancing coaches who are experiencing this paradigm, the Italian Zaccheroni is only the latest embodiment and one of the most intriguing for a country once known for its defensive pride and its zelous application of 4-4-2 looms.

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It’s down to the final of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup final with Australia facing Japan. The match will take place at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Saturday, January 29, 2011. Kickoff is scheduled for 15:00 GMT (UK time), 16:00 CET (Central Europe), and 10:00 EST (USA Eastern).

Australia v Japan TV Listings

It will be televised on EuroSport (Europe), Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East), and on Fox Sports (Australia).

Australia v Japan Preview

Recent Head To Head Matches

Key
WC: World Cup
WCQ: World Cup qualifying match
AC: AFC Asian Cup
CC: Confederations Cup
OLY: Summer Olympics
F: friendly
GS: group stage
aet: after extra-time

Past five matches:

Australia:
Uzbekistan 0, Australia 6, Doha, January 2011
Australia 1, Iraq 1 (aet), Doha, January 2011
Australia 1, Bahrain 0, Doha January. 2011
Australia 1, Korea Republic 1, Doha, January 2011
Australia 4, India 0, Doha, January 2011

Japan:
South Korea 2, Japan 2 (aet), (0-3pso), Doha, January 2011
Qatar 2, Japan 3, Doha, January 2011
Saudi Arabia 0, Japan 5, Doha, January 2011
Syria 1, Japan 2, Doha, January 2011
Japan 1, Jordan 1, Doha, January

Competition Stats

Next Matches

Australia v Japan Prediction

Australia wins 2-1

Australia v Japan Betting Odds

Australia win – 13/8

Draw (after 90 minutes) – 15/8

Japan win – 6/4

Australia v Japan Live Online

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Two sides who weren’t expected to make into the quarterfinals met in the round of 16 as Paraguay faced off against Japan. One would reach their first ever quarterfinal while the other would be knocked out of the tournament. The winner would face Portugal or Spain.

Paraguay 0-0 (5-3) Japan Video Highlights

The match highlights can be found here at Free Soccer Highlights.

Paraguay 0-0 (5-3 Japan Recap

It would go to a penalty shoot-out with Paraguay edging Japan to move into the quarterfinals.

The penalties would be even after two rounds then Japan’s Yuichi Komano would miss to open the door for Paraguay. They would not miss one of theirs and clinched it in the fifth round with Oscar Cordoza who made it 5-3.

It was a tough a hard fought match and Japan can still consider this World Cup a success. Paraguay will be the 4th South American side to be in the quarterfinals.

Paraguay 0-0 (5-3) Japan Match Stats

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Two teams who have surprised with their run into the knockout stage meet as Paraguay faces Japan. The match will take place at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa on Tuesday, June 29, 2010. Kickoff is scheduled for 15:00 BST, 16:00 local time in South Africa, and 10:00 EST.

It will be televised on ESPN in the United States, CBC in Canada, SBS in Australia, Al Jazeera Sport in the Middle East, ITV 1 in the United Kingdom, and on SuperSport in Africa. You can also find the match at the link on the bottom of this post.

Paraguay v Japan Preview

Paraguay were not expected to win their group while Japan were not expected to make it to the knockout stage. Neither side has reached the quarterfinals but one will make that historic jump at the end of the match on Tuesday. Paraguay advanced with two draws and one win while Japan moved on with two wins and one loss.

Japan are led by Keisuke Honda who has scored a couple goals and is their most dangerous player. Paraguay will need to contain Honda or they could be out of tournament. Overall, Japan as looked strong when attacking and has the ability to stretch defenses with speed. They are playing with lots of confidence and have every reason to do so.

Paraguay are favored in this match and won their group over defending champions Italy. They have only conceded one goal in this World Cup which was a during the Italy match. While they have been strong defensively, Paraguay doesn’t have a goal from a striker in this World Cup. Their main threat up top will be Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz.

This should be an extremely close match with two teams who have their best chance ever to reach the quarterfinals. While Paraguay have been a solid team, the momentum seems to be with Japan. Honda has been a major force and will be the difference. It should be into extra time and probably decided on a late goal or penalties.

Competition Stats

Betting Odds

Paraguay win – 11/10

Draw – 9/4

Japan win – 5/2

Paraguay v Japan Prediction

Japan will win the match on penalties

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Denmark 1-3 Japan Video Highlights

The match highlights can be found here at Free Soccer Highlights.

Denmark 1-3 Japan Recap

Japan would get a 3-1 win to be the second Asian side to move into the round of 16 knockout stage.

They would get goals from Keisuke Honda in the 17th minute, Yasuhito Endo in the 30th minute, and Shinji Okazaki in the 87th minute to get the three points. Denmark did make a run late in the second half with a Jon Dahl Tomasson goal in the 81st minute but it was too late.

The win was a great performance from Japan who last reached the knockout stage in 2002.

Denmark 1-3 Japan Match Stats

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It will be televised on ESPN in the United States, CBC in Canada, SBS in Australia, Al Jazeera Sport in the Middle East, BBC Three in the United Kingdom, SuperSport in Africa, and on ZDF in Germany. You can also find the match at the link on the bottom of this post.

Denmark v Japan Preview

Both teams have three points heading into the match and have their destiny in their own hands. Japan has a better goal difference so a draw would see them through while Denmark needs a win. Each side beat Cameroon while losing to the Netherlands.

Denmark are the favorite but South Korea have shown that Asian sides are very capable. It should be a very close match where Japan will play for a draw and Denmark will go for the win. If there are no goals in the first half, Denmark will really start sending players forward which will allow chances on the counterattack for Japan. These are two evenly matched sides which should end in a narrow win for the Danes.

Team Stat Comparison

	Denmark	Japan
Goals	Nicklas Bendtner 1	Keisuke Honda 1
Assists	Nicklas Bendtner 1
Yellows	Simon Kjaer 2	Yuki Abe 1

Betting Odds

Denmark win – 11/10

Draw – 23/10

Japan win – 5/2

Denmark v Japan Prediction

Denmark will win the match 2-1.

Watch Denmark v Japan Live Online

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2010 FIFA World Cup Group E Scenarios

Netherlands has advanced. Netherlands wins the group with:
(A) Win or a tie versus Cameroon
(B) Loss AND a Denmark-Japan tie
(C) Loss IF the Denmark-Japan winner does not make up tiebreakers

Japan advances with:
(A) Win or tie versus Denmark

Japan wins group with:
(A) Win AND a Netherlands loss AND by making up tiebreakers on Netherlands

Denmark advances with:
(A) Win versus Japan

Denmark wins group with:
(A) Win AND a Netherlands loss AND by making up tiebreakers on Netherlands

Cameroon has been eliminated.

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Netherlands 1-0 Japan Video Highlights

The match highlights can be found here at Free Soccer Highlights.

Netherlands 1-0 Japan Recap

The Dutch would win their second match of the tournament to move to six points and on pace to win Group E.

The Netherlands were the better side in the match and would take the lead with a 53rd minute goal from Wesley Sneijder to make it 1-0. Japan would get some chances but only had about a third of possession and were held scoreless.

Japan will likely qualify if they win their final group match while the Netherlands can clinch 1st place in the group with a win in their next match.

Netherlands 1-0 Japan Match Stats

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It will be televised on ITV 1 in the United Kingdom, CBC in Canada, SBS in Australia, SuperSport in Africa, TF 1 in France, and on Al Jazeera Sport in the Middle East. You can also find the match at the link on the bottom of this post.

Netherlands v Japan Preview

The Dutch look to move one step closer towards winning Group E as the face Japan. The Japanese surprised with a 1-0 win over Cameroon in their first match and have midfielder Keisuke Honda who scored the winning goal. Honda is a rising star for the side and one of the few Japanese players who is excelling in one of the top European leagues.

Arjen Robben is likely to be out for the match but the Netherlands will still have a team more than capable of getting the three points. They are the overwhelming favorites in Saturday’s match, at least according to the oddsmakers. Japan are not a side to be taken likely but are overmatched against the Dutch.

It’s been a World Cup with several upsets and a lot of unpredictability but the Netherlands should get a win by a couple of goals.

Betting Odds

Netherlands win – 4/9

Draw – 3/1

Japan win – 15/2

Netherlands v Japan Prediction

The Netherlands will win the match 3-1.

Watch Netherlands v Japan Live Online

The match can be seen at Free Live Sports TV.

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