London 2012 Olympics Semi final (Wembley Stadium, London）82,372
Japan 1-3 Mexico
OTSU (12) / FABIAN (31), PERALTA (65), CORTES (90+3)
Yellow cards – H. SAKAI Hiroki (Japan), FABIAN (Mexico)
Japan: GK – Gonda DF – H. Sakai, Yoshida, Suzuki, Tokunaga DMF – Ogihara (Saito, 83), Yamaguchi OMF – Kiyotake (Usami, 77), Higashi (Sugimoto, 71), Otsu FW – Nagai
After the Nadeshiko Ladies had made it to their final, the whole of Japan was awaiting a double final appearance as the men took on Mexico in the Olympic semi-final at Wembley – but it was not to be. In short, Takashi Sekizuka’s charges capitulated to a hard-working – but not THAT good – Mexico team. Yes, Mexico were not that good, but Japan were not good AT ALL. The cool, composed passing and patience of previous games deserted the young Samurai Blue when it mattered and, while many of us would probably have taken a semi-final place pre-tournament – losing out on a final place with a display like this, with the whole world watching, just, well, as my American friend would say, SUCKS! Mexico were beaten, in Mexico, in 1968 when Japan came back with the bronze medal and so, 44 years later, Mexico exacted their revenge.
It began well, with Yuki Otsu scoring a spectacular half-volley from 25 yards out, that would have the Europeans drooling if he’d scored it in the Premier League. To call it Henri-esque, or Bergkamp-esque would not exaggerate its brilliance! But Otsu’s 3rd goal of the tournament was as good as it got for Japan. Mexico were back in the game before half time with a flicked on corner finding its way to Fabian for the equaliser.
Into the 2nd half and both teams had chances but Mexico began to pile on the possession and made it pay in the 65th minute in an inexcusable few seconds of madness from Gonda and Ogihara. The Japan keeper made an easy save, jumped up, looked for somewhere to distribute the ball and chose Ogihara 30 yards out, in the middle of the field surrounded by Mexicans! The Cerezo midfielder – who should not be remembered just for this mistake, he’s had a decent tournament otherwise – Ogihara tried what has been called the “Cruyff Turn”, and failed. Lost the ball to Oribe Peralta, who took another touch and placed the ball into the corner from way out, and Japan were, unnecessarily, down a goal.
Japan still hoped to get back into the game but the likes of Tokunaga, Sakai and the aforementioned Ogihara were having an off day and a team can not carry an ailing player at this level, let alone three or four. Sekizuka made changes, bringing on Sugimoto, Usami and Saito over the last 20 minutes or so, but to no avail and, to run salt in the wound, Mexico added another on a breakaway in lost time as Japan poured upfield, Javier Cortes slotting the ball past Gonda to make the final score a little harder to take for the Japanese fans.
Japan will now go for that Bronze medal against local rivals Korea on Friday night (UK time, Saturday morning Japan time) at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.
