Big two to bounce back
ByReuters
Published 28/03/2005 at 12:21 GMT
Japan and South Korea will be anxious to take maximum points at home on Wednesday following painful qualifying defeats in the Persian Gulf. Follow the Asian zone qualifiers LIVE on eurosport.com from 08:35CET on Wednesday.
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Japan's 2-1 defeat in Iran on Friday left them in disarray and increased the pressure on their Brazilian coach Zico ahead of Bahrain's visit to Saitama.
Iran and Bahrain have four points from two matches in the final round of Asian 2006 World Cup qualifiers with Japan third in Group B on three points.
Meanwhile, 2002 World Cup semi-finalists South Korea lacked cohesion and provided no serious threat in a 2-0 defeat away against Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia went top of Group A on four points with South Korea and Kuwait a point behind.
With their proud record of having played in the last five World Cup tournaments at stake there will be intense pressure on South Korea to beat Uzbekistan in Seoul on Wednesday.
Japan face the more difficult task against a Bahrain team still buzzing after their hard-fought 2-1 victory over North Korea in Pyongyang.
The Japanese beat Bahrain 4-3 in the semi-finals of last year's Asian Cup but they need a resounding victory this time to restore harmony to a side frustrated over Zico's tactics.
Several players were unhappy with Zico's decision to tinker with his formation to accommodate playmaker Hidetoshi Nakata, who had not played for Japan in a year due to injury problems.
NEGATIVE PUBLICITY
Such was the negative publicity after the match that the Japan Football Association (JFA) took the rare step of giving the national team coach a vote of confidence.
"If we lose to Bahrain the chances (of firing Zico) are zero," said JFA chairman Saburo Kawabuchi. "We still have faith in him. I'm not down about it. Even Brazil lose qualifiers."
Zico is set to revert to a 3-5-2 formation against Bahrain following talks with his players but the Brazilian insisted it was not his system with four at the back that was at fault in Iran.
"I'm looking at playing three defenders" said Zico, whose tactics have come under mounting attack since Japan's fortuitous 2-1 home win over North Korea in last month's Group B opener.
"But if you could win games through your system alone then you wouldn't need a coach."
South Korea coach Jo Bonfrere also came under fire after his side's capitulation against the Saudis and the Dutchman has demanded a huge improvement from his players.
"Saudi Arabia wanted it more than us so we'll need to make sure we prepare better for Uzbekistan," said Bonfrere, whose side beat Kuwait 2-0 at home in their opening game.
"We need to repeat what we did against Kuwait. Our passing needs to be better and we must be stronger mentally."
Victory could send South Korea back to the top of Group A with Saudi Arabia playing away to Kuwait for a west Asian clash where scoring opportunities could be at a premium.
Meanwhile, Iran will be favourites to extend their lead in Group B when they face North Korea away after Bahrain's victory erased much of the fear factor of visiting Pyongyang.
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