A come-from-behind win that, in the end was well-deserved… an excellent possession-filled, chances-wasted first 30 minutes or so was spoiled with a stupid PK, a handball/elbow up in the face of a Ghana attacker at the far post. Then a long ball produced a 2nd goal as Nakazawa was caught out. Kengo Nakamura pulled one back before another long pass saw Tulio completely flat-footed and Tsuzuki in goal not knowing whether to come or not – stranded in no-man’s land because of indecision he conceded the 3rd. Then Japan pulled it all around with more excellent passing, closing down and, FINALLY, some decent finishing. Tamada scored the 2nd after Nagatomo persevered and closed a defender down, slipping a pass to Tamada for him to rifle across the keeper. Kudos to Inamoto for a pinpoint cross for Okazaki for the 3rd, and then a perfect, calm finish from 20 yards while shrugging off Essien to make it 4-3. Lots to learn from this, but confidence will be gained!