Miroslav Klose is a fine player for Germany feisty and quick France go out
Posted in General on 18. Oct, 2010
Miroslav Klose is a fine player for Germany, feisty and quick France go out without scoring a goal. Like all great empires, the seeds of downfall are sown in the success, in a complacency and cosiness invisible from within Philippe Troussier would be a brave replacement for Lemerre. He is a maverick, an outsider and as such will not be considered, but his work with the Japanese has been impressive. He has remoulded their culture, trusted in youth and taught a team from a society steeped in fair play the darker arts. Little Kazuyuki Toda, the red-haired one in midfield, is the star pupil, rarely averse to a shirt tug or ankle tap England and Nigeria play out a hopeless 0-0 draw Is this really England? But they qualify.13 June.
Oita, Italy v MexicoHead on further south to the island of Kyushu. Oita has built a magnificent stadium, on the hill overlooking the town. But for what? Three World Cup matches? Japan has spent €120bn on 10 stadiums for the tournament. But this is a country which has a construction budget of $6 trillion for the decade between 1995 and 2005, much of it spent on useless, bureaucratically inspired white elephants. In a book called Dogs and Demons, the Fall of Modern Japan, Alex Kerr writes about Japan’s passion for building monuments “It makes the poor people feel rich,” explains a politician The people of Oita will feel very rich indeed Which reminds me In Sapporo, a taxi driver, to my surprise, spoke English “Tell me,” he said. “Why do the English people say ‘thank you very much indeed’.” Try answering that one in pidgin Japanese.14 June. Osaka, Japan v TunisiaTake last train out of Osaka for Tokyo.
It’s a Nozami train, the real bullet train, and we do not have the right tickets. Conductor agitated, but dimly aware that the World Cup changes rules Besides, Japan are in the second round. Both they and South Korea will take some beating now.15 June. Niigata, England v DenmarkEriksson is developing a solid, defensive, scrappy team who could do some damage to flashier opponents. Denmark are a strong side with pace on the wings and experience all over, not flashy at all Penalties again? I fear Denmark more than Brazil.16 June. TokyoArrive in Tokyo at 6am, having made history by delaying the 2am out of Niigata by one minute.