Conclusion
Japan's System of Play / Shots On Goal
Firstly Japan employed an interesting system of play in the game. Only two players remained at the center of the defense almost the whole game. The two wing fullbacks were used to spread the attack and covered ground from their own defensive third up to the Iran penalty area.
Japan packed the middle of the field with three players who operated around the center circle and the team used three forward in this do-or-die game.
Okada used three substitutes during the game and all three played up front. He will probably claim that the substitution he made to bring on Masayuki Okano #14 in the extra time was his shrewdest.
Japan's
System of Play
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Japan's
Shots On Goal
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The One-Two Mid Field Punch of Hidetoshi & Hiroshi
Observing The GOLDEN GOAL ,the player whose shot on Goal was ultimately saved by Iran goalkeeper was mid fielder Nakata Hidetoshi #8. Hidetoshi with his colleague Nami Hiroshi #10 were undoubtedly the most impact players on the Japanese team. This one-two mid field punch could be the combination that could help Japan squeak into round two in France. Hidetoshi #8 in particular had an impressionable game against Iran as you can see by The player performance charts.
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Nakata Hidetoshi #8
Performance Summary
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Nami Hiroshi #10
Performance Summary
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Hidetoshi #8 had a total of 18 impact passes which led to shots on Goal along with a total of 6 direct shots on goal. He not only set up the winning Goal but made 112 passes total with a 68% completion rate, fully more than anyone else ! Note that Hidetoshi was involved in two of the three goals.
Japan also benefited from a workmanlike performance from Hiroshi #10. He completed fully 72 of his 88 passes during the game . The charts point out that Hiroshi was the next best productive Japanese player with a total of 12 impact passes which led to shots on Goal and 8 direct shots on goal.
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Completed/Lost Passes
Completion Rate
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Japan's
Player Ranking
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The above charts include a Japan Player Ranking chart which provides a ranking of all the Japan players (by thier performances) in desending order. This chart provides all statistics on each individual player including shots, goals, passes, impact passes, etc. Impact passes are passes which led to shots on goal or passes which led to the goals themselves..
Conclusion
So in summary what can we expect from Japan in France? The team scored 10 goals in its last three games to qualify so it might be fair to conclude that the team will continue to be offensive minded.
One question though, is it easier to think "offense" against a team such as Iran than it is against a world power such as Argentina? Part of the joy of soccer is that these psychological elements come into play... especially when the whole world is watching.
Your regarding Coaches Corner are welcome.
A P P E N D I X
Figure 1
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Japan's Goal - Trace Back 
This chart shows the sequence of passes which led to the score of the GOLDEN GOAL.
Figure 2
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Japan's System of Play 
This chart shows Japan's system of play.
Each blue dot represents each time the individual Japan player touched the ball on the field during the entire game (ie Player Range).The blue oval shows in clearity the area the player concentrated his play.
Figure 3
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Japan's Shots on goal 
Figure 4
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Hidetoshi # 8 Player Performance 
Figure 5
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Hiroshi #10 Player Performance 
Figure 6
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Completed/Lost passes-Completion rate 
Figure 7
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Japan Player Ranking 
Copyright © 1994-97 FIFA. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 1997 En-Linea, Inc. All rights reserved.
ith 32 countries competing in France, fans around the world will have the chance to see teams that are not often on the World stage. And as in every World Cup unlikely heroes will have their moments in the spotlight.
