Thursday, June 24, 2010

Okada targets more Japan success

Shinji Okazaki celebrates his goal for Japan

Highlights - Denmark 1-3 Japan

Japan coach Takeshi Okada set his side a target of a semi-final place after they beat Denmark to book their place in the last 16 of the World Cup.

The Asians put on an impressive display to beat the Danes 3-1 to seal second spot behind Netherlands in Group E.

But Okada insisted Japan were not done yet, saying: "We will enjoy this but we have not achieved our final end.

"We have to go for more, starting with what will be a first game in the knockout stages against Paraguay."

Keisuke Honda, Yasuhito Endo and substitute Shinji Okazaki scored the goals Japan deserved from a performance full of pace, verve and incision.

That was despite the fact the Asians knew a draw would see them qualify at Denmark's expense for the second round.

I'm not as jubilant as I thought I would be because I don't think we are finished here

Keisuke Honda

"We knew we could have made it with a draw but we did not want to be passive," Okada pointed out.

"Denmark put us under some pressure at the start and we had some risky situations, so we changed the formation and we were able to score the two free-kicks that put us in the driving seat.

"They came back strongly after half-time but we showed that our team has strength that not all others have - we are truly united.

"The players will have a break tonight and tomorrow we start working again."

As runners-up in Group E, Japan face Group F winners Paraguay in Pretoria on 29 June.

But man-of-the-match Honda echoed his coach's sentiments, insisting Japan were not done yet.

"I know this is a really big win for Japan," Honda stated.

"I expected to be really jubilant but I'm not as jubilant as I thought I would be because I don't think we are finished here. I believe we can go further in this competition.

"The team as a whole is becoming a team that can continue in the tournament."

generic viagra online | online pharmacy without prescription

No comments: