The result was right, even the tactics were right, if a little negative/stifling (insert your own adjective here but note that three points are Japan’s!). Japan’s first win away from home in the World Cup (both previous victories in a World Cup tournament came in Japan, in 2002).Keisuke Honda rose to the occasion, the boys played as a team, Eto’o was stifled ….. read on, it’s probably not as good as it sounds/looks, but it’s better than it could be!Highlights here, by the way, as are all highlights – available on fifa.com:http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/highlights/video/video=1244749/index.html

Japan travel to South Africa in search of a first World Cup victory on foreign soil, wanting to put behind them the disappointments of Germany four years ago.Back in charge for a second spell is Takeshi Okada. Not the most popular choice following a terrible performance at World Cup ’98 that saw Japan pick up no points, including a 2-1 defeat to Jamaica.One thing Okada has installed is a defence that is difficult to break down. They are disciplined, although vulnerable to conceding from set pieces. Brazilian-born centre back Tulio possesses good height and awareness for set pieces at both ends of the pitch. The technically sound centre back scored 3 goals in qualifying and will be at the heart of the Japan defence in South Africa.Japan have a bunch of technically gifted players in their midfield, from former English Premier League midfielder Junichi Inamoto; Yasuhito Endo, Keisuke Honda, Yuki Abe and ex-Celtic player Shunsuke Nakamura. However, goals have been hard to come by in their warm up matches prior to the World Cup, with the team offering little goal threat. This problem needs to be addressed as early as their opening World Cup group stage games with Cameroon on Monday.Points are a must against their opening opposition if Japan are to qualify from Group E. The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon have their own problems entering the World Cup, including the suspension of star striker Samuel Eto

Konno was taken out by a disgraceful tackle around an hour into the Ivory Coast game … we hear that Makino has been called on standby – every cloud has a silver lining! But would he get a chance in place of Tulio? Doubtful? Konno may be OK for the 2nd or 3rd group game (but Uchida would probably have started anyway?).

ANOTHER own goal for Tulio, a toothless Japan need goals!

Japan had plenty to be proud of but Okada f##k#d it up again, although it took two own goals for England to win this!

The story so far – my adopted boys are giving my homeland boys a lesson!!

It may seem as if he just burst onto the scene but Shoki Hirai is 23 years old, and has been patiently plugging away out of the spotlight at Gamba Osaka for a few years now, biding his time, and fighting for a place against the likes of Araujo, Magno Alves, Leandro and Cho, among others, as well as fighting off newcomers Pedro Junior, Dodo and Ze Carlos in 2010. The fact that he got into the team at all has been a “lucky” combination of injuries (Lucas and Cho) and foolishness on the part of one player (Pedro Junior took exception to being substituted, lashed out at Gamba coach Akira Nishino, and was soon on a plane out of Osaka!). To this writer, Hirai’s talent was never in doubt – I have been fortunate enough to have seen him play a close range – and I mean CLOSE range – as I have refereed matches, where he has been freely scoring goals, numerous times in Gamba satellite games over the last few years.Regular readers of my rants will know that I advocate less foreigners in the the Japanese game in order to give up-and-coming youngsters a chance to play. The fact that Gamba Osaka were “fortunate” enough to have so many problems up front with their imported players, has meant that Hirai, along with Usami, Otsuka and, to a lesser extent, Hoshihara, have finally found themselves on the field. And none of them have wasted their chance.But it is Hirai who has grabbed the baton with both hands, and both feet! Just look at the stats … in the ACL he came in for the group games and hit four goals in a week in two games against Singapore Armed Forces. In the J.League he has hit 7 goals in 7 games, and those goals have come from only 15 shots registered! How’s that for a ratio!? Compare that to another forward who might feel aggrieved at not going to South Africa – Jubilo’s Maeda has scored 7 goals also, but from 11 games (and 25 shots). Yokohama’s Watanabe has 7 goals from 12 games (including a PK). Hirai as a HUGE future.Hirai made his debut in 2006 in an Emperor’s Cup game, but had to wait until this season to get his big chance. After a few substitute appearances over the last two seasons he has come in and endeared himself to the Gamba faithful with his deadly accuracy and taking of chances. Gamba have a new hero! The future looks bright for Gamba Osaka up front! Now let’s see what they can do about the back line… but that’s another story! If only Hirai hadn’t been injured in April he would also be on the plane to South Africa (Yano? Please!) and Japan would also have a new hero …. it’s a funny old game!

Here’s the J1 table going into the World Cup break …. looks like a five horse race already, although a resurgent Gamba Osaka might have something to say about that! Look out for Shoi Hirai as the top scorer this season – if he stays injury free! (see other story).Kashima Antlers v. Shonan Bellmare, Kawasaki Frontale v. Omiya Ardija, Gamba Osaka v. Kyoto Sanga and Sanfrecce Hiroshima v. Cerezo Osaka were delayed from 8th May, when the ACL teams were scheduled to be playing their Last 16 matches, and will be played on 14th July.

John, down in Okinawa sends a question/comment on the fact that J.League never call games off (well, not quite never – I believe that two games have been called off – one for lightning, one for a pool of a pitch – in 15 years or so) … anyone else have any experiences? Read on for John’s day out in the rain!

Two more goals for Hirai – the World Cup came too early!