Nelsinho: Japanese football developing rapidly

 

Brazilian coach Nelsinho hailed the "evolution" of Japanese football after his Kashiwa Reysol side gave his former club, the South American champions Santos, a fright at the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2011.

A Santos side boasting 19-year-old prodigy Neymar needed a cracker from the young forward and two other sublime finishes from Borges and Danilo, the latter from a free-kick, to claim a probable final meeting with Barcelona. The Brazilians ran out 3-1 winners in Wednesday's semi-final, the impressive defender Hiroki Sakai grabbing the Japanese champions' goal at Toyota Stadium.

But it was far closer than the scoreline suggested, statistics showing Kashiwa had more possession and more shots - 14 to Santos' eight - particularly late on, when the Japanese squandered several clear chances. Substitute Masakatsu Sawa was especially culpable, striking the Santos post and lashing the ball over when it seemed easier to score.

A proud Nelsinho, who guided Kashiwa from second-tier obscurity to the J.League crown in just two seasons, said his side's stubborn performance was proof football in the Asian country had improved greatly. "Japanese football is really growing and developing, especially the young players are growing," said Nelsinho, for whom the rookie defender Sakai, a product of Kashiwa's youth team, excelled.

The exciting 21-year-old attacking right full-back has been linked with a move to Santos. "I worked in Japan in the 1990s and I'd say there's been quite a huge evolution in the players," said Nelsinho. "Compared with the technical ability of the Brazilian players we still have some deficiencies but we played some good football today."

Nelsinho, a Santos defender in his day who played later the coach of the South American giants - who was also a room-mate of his opposite number Muricy Ramalho - added: "This was a really good performance. We are a very young team but we were able to create a lot of chances today.

"In the first half there were two careless mistakes but in the second half we tried to change the way we play and were able to score with a set-piece. We pushed for the draw but then lost the third goal. Our defence was very good despite conceding three goals."

The Copa Libertadores champions Santos face a possible meeting with Barcelona in the weekend final of the tournament. Europe's finest face Qatar's Al-Sadd in the second semi-final today, with the losers to play Kashiwa, who are based in Chiba, near Tokyo.

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Japanese spirit wows visiting teams

it was nine months ago today that the world watched, utterly aghast, as the first horrific images began filtering through from Japan. None of us is likely to forget where we were as the scale of the devastating Tohoku earthquake and tsunami became horribly clear, with the dead numbering in tens of thousands and a whole coastline rendered unrecognisable.Japan’s prime minister described it at the time as his nation’s worst crisis since the Second World War, and yet even at that stage, when the picture was at its bleakest, a quick and effective recovery was being confidently predicted. This, after all, is a nation renowned for meeting adversity with courage and determination, two attributes which have again come to the fore since that dreadful March day.Among the outsiders awe-struck by Japan’s response have been competitors at the FIFA Club World Cup, which is back in the Land of the Rising Sun after a two-year stint in UAE. Players, officials and fans alike have been revelling in the famously friendly Japanese hospitality, and all have been united in their admiration and gratitude. Santos striker Borges, who remembers fondly a stint with Vegalta Sendai in 2006, led the chorus of tributes. As he pointed out: “The way the Japanese people have reacted to such terrible natural tragedies this year just showcases of what kind of country this is.” Another of Japan’s many admirers from the world of football is Andres Iniesta, who spoke of the nation in glowing terms in a recent FIFA.com interview. “I admire the Japanese personality,” said the Barcelona star. “They cherish respect and companionship, values that for me are fundamental and which I greatly admire.”While Iniesta focused on the sociable and respectful nature of the Japanese people, Esperance coach Nabil Maaloul dwelt on a fighting spirit that he hopes will rub off on his players. “Japan is a great nation, with fantastic culture and history,” he enthused. “It's the land of the Samurais, and I really love this culture. They were warriors, fighters, and I hope that can be inspiring for my team. After the terrible events that touched the country recently, I support the Japanese people with all my heart.”This spirit of solidarity has been replicated in each of the six continental champions competing at Japan 2011, and so too has a determination to repay their hosts’ generosity. And, for most, the best way of doing that is by putting on a show to remember. Monterrey’s Ricardo Osorio summed up the mood when he said: “Football is a sport of happiness and hopefully this World Cup serves to bring happiness to everyone in Japan. No matter which team wins and which team loses, the goal is to do our best to bring smiles to the people who were affected by these disasters. That’s the thing that really matters to us.”These sentiments have been echoed elsewhere, with Esperance captain Ousama Darragi admitting that, at this particular tournament, winning is not the only objective. “I'm full of emotion for this great country after the tragic events of March,” he said. “I'm coming to Japan to try to bring smiles and joy to the Japanese people thanks to our football.”Another player who shares this aim is Al-Sadd captain Abdullah Koni, although the big defender revealed a personal reason for wanting to serve up a footballing feast. “I’m from Senegal, so I remember that Japan helped us when we were in trouble,” he explained, referring to aid that was sent following a spate of floods in his homeland. “I’d like to give something in return and will do as much as I can on the pitch to achieve that.”With so many players so highly motivated by such a laudable aim, Japan 2011 may yet prove worthy of its exemplary hosts. View the original article here