Opinion | Japan bemoan failure to kill off 10-man Greece
Blue Samurai have mountain to climb against Colombia after 0-0 draw
Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni bemoaned his side’s failure to punish 10-man Greece after a 0-0 draw which leaves the Asian giants struggling to reach the World Cup knockout rounds.
Japan looked to have been given a crucial advantage when Greek captain Konstantinos Katsouranis was dismissed on 38 minutes for a second bookable offence.
We had a lot of possession, had a lot of chances and we didn’t capitalise on them. Right now I’m not happy at all
But although Japan dominated possession thereafter, they were unable to find a way through a stubborn Greek rearguard action and now have it all to do if they are to emerge from group C.
Japan’s draw means Colombia are guaranteed a top-two finish in the group, but Zaccheroni’s men will now have to beat the in-form South Americans to have any chance of joining them in the last 16.
Zaccheroni said: “We pushed hard to win the game. We do have one match to play, but right now I’m not happy at all.
“We had a lot of possession, had a lot of chances and we didn’t capitalise on them.
“I don’t know what Colombia will decide and how they line up for us. But we have to play differently from the first game and also from our game tonight.