‘I thought we would play better’

Japan coach disappointed with 4-1 loss to Colombia.

CUIABA: Emotional Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni said Tuesday his team had failed to play to their potential during a disappointing World Cup campaign but refused to be drawn on his future.

Japan, needing an unlikely combination of results to qualify for the last 16 going into their final match against high-flying Colombia in Cuiaba, again came up short, losing 4-1.

The Blue Samurai impressed in the first half, dominating possession and equalised through a Shinji Okazaki header on the stroke of half-time, but they were undone by a vibrant Colombia in the second period.

It followed a 2-1 reverse to Ivory Coast in their opening Group C game and a dour 0-0 draw against Greece alongside Colombia.

Zaccheroni said Japan had not managed to play the type of possession and pressing game they had produced so often over the past four years, though they had improved in their final group match.

“In general terms I thought we would play better,” said the veteran Italian, who described the performances in Japan’s first two matches as sub-par.

“As we showed today, especially in the first half, even against strong opposition I think we were able to show that when we play with intensity as we normally do, then we are able to generate opportunities to win.”

Lamouchi retires after ‘heartbreak’

Sabri Lamouchi resigned as Ivory Coast coach minutes after his side’s hopes of reaching the World Cup second round were dashed by a late penalty giving Greece a 2-1 victory in Fortleza.

Greece took a place in the last 16 and Lamouchi said he had to draw the consequences of that failure.

“My contract comes to an end at this World Cup and there will be no epilogue and you can understand well as to why,” said the 42-year-old Frenchman.

“It is logical as we did not do well at last year’s Africa Cup of Nations or at the World Cup finals.”

The former France international, whose side started with a 2-1 win over Japan before losing by that scoreline to group winners Colombia, said a lot of hard work had gone into securing the Elephants first ever appearance in the second round.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 26^th, 2014.

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