It all ends in tears for Japan

13 April 2012

Japan coach Philippe Troussier was close to tears after his team's World Cup adventure ended with a 1-0 defeat to Turkey in what turned out to be his final game in charge.

Their dreams of making the quarter-finals were wrecked by Umit Davala's 12th-minute header. The co-hosts were disappointing today despite coming into this second-round match full of confidence after winning Group H .

Troussier has quit as coach after four years in the job but he believes there is a bright future for Japanese football.

The Frenchman said: "I would tell all Japanese players to keep believing in their ability and their potential for success.

"I think there is even some recognition among European football of the progress we have made.

"I hope the Japanese Football Federation will keep the same pace of development. But the players have certainly proved they can play with the best."

Troussier admitted a lack of experience and concentration were the main reasons for Japan failing today.

"We were playing against a very strong Turkish team, but we still had our chances and did not let them dominate the match," he said.

"We had the free-kick that hit the bar and other opportunities to score.

"However, there is still a lack of experience but we certainly proved we were at a level to play against other big teams.

"We tried to score and we couldn't do it but we certainly showed our pride and our values. It is a young and dynamic team - that is our image. The ambition for the team is now the 2006 World Cup."

But Troussier will not be in charge of the side for that competition as the Frenchman has stepped down from the job, claiming a lack of motivation.

After the high of winning the Asian Cup in 2000 and guiding Japan to their best-ever display in a World Cup, Troussier said he did not want to be in charge come August for a clash with a team like the Philippines. Should Roger Lemerre be sacked or resign from his position as France coach later this week, it is likely Troussier will be asked to take over the former world champions.

Four years ago Troussier was offered the assistant's post to Lemerre but he turned it down as he wanted to be a manager.

But after France's disastrous World Cup, Les Bleus may turn to Troussier for their top job.

The only goal came after Japan needlessly gave away a corner following a poor back pass from former Arsenal player Junichi Inamoto.

Ergun Penbe's inswinging corner was met by the unmarked Davala who headed home his second goal of the World Cup. The Japanese fans did their best to raise their team to the heights they scaled in drawing with Belgium, and then defeating both Russia and Tunisia in the first round.

But despite having plenty of the ball they failed to make it count and Turkey goalkeeper Rustu Recber had little to do.

The only time he was beaten came when Alessandro Santos, Japan's best player in the first half before surprisingly being replaced at the break, curled a 20-yard free-kick over the wall but saw his strike bounce off the frame of the goal.

Japan continued to have more possession after the break but their only effort saw Akinori Nishizawa direct his header straight at Recber.

Turkey will now meet Senegal in the quarter-finals on Saturday. The winner of that match will face either England or Brazil in the semi-finals.

Turkey coach Senol Gunes said: "Turkish people like a tough atmosphere. We came together and produced our best football."

But he also praised Japan and hoped their fans would now get behind his side.

He said: "We represent Japan right now. We will continue to represent Japan in the later stages of the tournament.

"Japan are a very good team with a good coach. They should not be sad. They have done tremendously well."

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