When the USA team came out of the blocks with early goals and Japan had no reply, it seemed that the writing was on the wall for the Samurai.
That was how the game turned out. Lacking four top players from the team which convincingly defeated Samoa, players who had only a week’s leave, undermanned Japan was no match for the stronger and fitter Americans.
Perhaps the Japanese had run out of run. Or perhaps McAlister Oval is narrower than Ransford on which they had used speed to defeat the larger Samoans. Certainly the Americans, one of the pre-tournament favourites, delivered one of their best showings of the series.
While the Revolution attacked directly and marked strongly, Japan went wide and sideways, allowing the opposition time to flood their forward line. In a sometimes scrambly match, the US were in control throughout.
In one of the common stories of the Cup, the teams either with shorter team lists or with greater attrition, whether from injury or from an early return home, were weaker than the teams with greater resources. But credit to the Revolution, who were far too good.
While the Japanese endeavour did not go away, the scoreboard on this occasion did reflect the dominance of the Americans, who themselves must have been disappointed that they had not advanced further in the tournament.
Japan, however, must have been both disappointed and also pleased at their improvement, at times playing a skilful and tough brand of football (such as the Samoa match), and performing at a much higher level than the team which only beat Spain at Princes Park in the 2005 International Cup.
Overall a tough tournament for both teams, but Japan will be happy to have improved from 10th (2002) to 9th (2005) and now 8th. The US had a slide, but at least finished with a powerful display more worthy of their talent.
USA 5.4 7.5 11.9 14.12 (96)
Japan 0.2 1.3 2.3 2.4 (16)
USA
Goal Kickers: D. Hansen 2, R. Marx 2, J. Valley 2, K. Nelson 2, C. Candelaria, A. Lamont, G. Lakomy, L. Nemeth, M. Kleinhenz, D. Jones
Best Players: D. Jones, K. Nelson, D. Sergot, D. Hansen, R. Marx, C. Candelaria
Japan
Goal Kickers: Y. Akita, T. Mori
Best Players: T. Kase, M. Sakaki, H. Tohyama, J. Sekiguchi, Y. Akita, Y. Kuno
Source: Stephen Alomes - www.worldfootynews.com
