Dutch lessons learned, Okhuma braces for Benin (FIFA.com) 13 Jun 2005 In the early going against the hosts in their first match at the FIFA World Youth Championship Netherlands 2005, Japan looked in for a mauling. Caught off balance by the force and smashing efficiency of the Dutch attack, they struggled mightily and were fortunate not to be down by more than two at the half under constant and ferocious pressure from Ryan Babel, Quincy Owusu Abeyie and co. Arsenal's spectacular 19-year-old gem, Owusu Abeyie, was too hot for Japan to handle in the first half. The number-seven's speed, surging runs, peculiarly effective party tricks and overall panache were just too much for the stunned Asians. "If you watch that rush of his past four or five players...We purposely selected defenders who are strong in one-on-one situations," Ohkuma told FIFA.com of his attempts to corral the player whose enthralling burst in minute 18 left four defenders gasping for breath and Japan 2-0 down. "You could expect him to get past one or two of them, but to be honest, I was surprised at the way he broke through a four-man block." But after starting the match with a conspicuously defensive line-up, Okhuma brought on half-Northern Irish J-League hit-man Robert Cullen in minute 41 and Koki Mizuna in minute 64. Suddenly the Japanese began to look a more dangerous outfit - more like their quick-passing attack-minded selves. A goal, half for pride "Our improvement in the second half was largely the result of the running and the hard work of Cullen and Mizuno, the substitutes," the coach admitted. "Also the rest of the players just needed some time to get accustomed to the surroundings, the atmosphere and the speed of play. When they settled down, we were able to play the Japanese game, moving the ball around quickly and playing our football." In fact, with the Dutch having failed to take full advantage of their possession and total domination of the first period, towering striker Sota Hirayama's well-worked goal made for an edgy last 20 minutes as Japan - with new-found confidence and a draw becoming ever more possible - pushed hard for an opening. Cullen came closest after controlling brilliantly in the box. But it was not to be, as the Jubilo Iwata player whose team-mates call him 'Bobby', hammered over the bar leaving the Japanese with that so-close-yet-so-far feeling as they look ahead with a degree of optimism and pride. "There's much to learn from the Holland game." Okhuma added. "The point is learning it. I think it was a very useful game for us; it should help us to make the step to a higher level. The next match against Benin will be all-important." The coach is also planning if not a massive, then a significant, alteration of tactics against the West Africans who earned a creditable point in their opener with Australia. "You can expect the players and tactics for the next game to be quite different from the last. We take the things we learned from this game, and try to use them in the next game. Japan's strong suit is in the small details of team play, resilience and a never-say-die attitude. With our positioning we try to create surplus situations on the pitch, both in defence and in offence. Benin on the other hand are strong and have excellent ball skills. We'll try to move the ball around quickly, and hit them with quick attacks." With a win an absolute must for the point-less Japanese, expect attack from the opening whistle on 15 June in Kerkrade's Parkstad Limburg Stadium. --- 稍微簡述上面大意： 簡而言之就是對於日本、荷蘭一戰中 效力於 Arsenal 的 Quincy Owusu Abeyie 的表現大熊清教練感到相當吃驚 他表示即便日本在那場比賽曾一度派四個人同時前後嘗試阻擋他 卻仍被這位荷蘭的王牌屢屢突破... 最後他表示對於有一半北愛爾蘭血統的磐田喜悅前鋒 Robert Cullen 顯示讚許 認為自從他將 Cullen 換上場後日本不再是完全被荷蘭壓著打 而下一場面對非洲球隊貝寧則是非拿不可的三分 否則晉級下一輪可能會很困難 --

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