What: FIFA Confederations Cup – Group A
Who: Japan vs Mexico
When: Saturday 22nd June, 2013, at 20:00 UK Time
Where: Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Pride All That’s Left For Talented Japanese

With defeat to Italy on Wednesday night Japan’s early exit from the Confederations Cup was sealed, along with that of their opponents this weekend, Mexico. However, the Asian champions still have pride to play for when they meet Mexico, and a point (or three) to prove.

The 4-3 loss to Italy was particularly harsh on Japan, who were the better team for most of the game. During the first half of the match in particular Japan were dominant, running rings around the Italians with superior running and passing, allied to clever movement. Italy somehow forced a way back into the game but there was a sense that the Japanese had been robbed.

They will therefore look to ensure that they sign off on a high against Mexico and make sure that they don’t return home with a third defeat under their belt. This is a promising nation, already with a place booked in Brazil for next year’s World Cup, and on the evidence so far, they will be a genuine threat to the vast majority of teams who end up joining them there. Japan will hope that they sign off from this tournament with a statement of intent.

Jose Manuel de la Torre Fighting For His Job

Mexico’s defeat to Brazil on Wednesday similarly secured their early exit from this competition and De la Torre will reflect on a missed opportunity. There are clear similarities with Japan. Like the Asian side, Mexico have no points but are better than their results have suggested; particularly against Brazil, in a game where few would have begrudged the Mexicans a point.

After Neymar’s opener, Mexico bossed possession for the most part and the close control and trickery of ex-Barcelona man Giovani dos Santos was in some ways just as impressive as the virtuoso brilliance of the new Los Cules forward.

The problem with Mexico is whilst they played very well in most aspects of the game, they were too easy to pierce defensively and had a lack of cutting edge. They can get to their opponents penalty area to great effect, and dominate possession against top sides, but struggle to find the pass to unlock a defence. Part of that is down to confidence, as De la Torre has noted. But after a run of just one win in 11 games in 2013, he must win this one to stave off calls for him to lose his job, otherwise he might not be back in Brazil again next year.
 

Recent form

Japan:
Iraq 0-1 Japan (11//06; World Cup qualifying)
Brazil 3-0 Japan (15/06; Confederations Cup)
Italy 4-3 Japan (19/06; Confederations Cup)

Mexico:
Mexico 0-0 Costa Rica (11/06; World Cup qualifying)
Mexico 1-2 Italy (16/06; Confederations Cup)
Brazil 2-0 Mexico (19/06; Confederations Cup)

Key absences

Japan: Makoto Hasebe

Mexico: None

Players to watch

Japan – Shinji Kagawa: The whole Japan side was excellent against Italy, but Manchester United’s Kagawa was particularly impressive. He ran the show in the first half in particular and hit the woodwork late on as they pressed for a winner. At times Japan were out passing, out running and out thinking their opponents, and Kagawa summed up their enterprise, popping up everywhere to knit together intricate moves. His goal in the first half showed his finishing ability and for a team which struggle to show a ruthless edge at times, Kagawa’s temperament in front of goal could be key when they are back next year.

Mexico – Giovani dos Santos: Dos Santos has looked the man most likely to prise open opposition defences for Mexico so far this tournament. Brought down for a penalty against Italy, he was superb against Brazil, ghosting past defenders in seemingly impossibly tight spaces. Expect his lively movement, skill and intelligence to play a huge role if Mexico are to salvage anything from this tournament.

Match Prediction

This should be a very entertaining game between two teams who, on the balance of play, it seems barely credible have not mustered a point between them so far. But that is surely more a reflection of the class of Italians and Brazilians than a comment on Japanese or Mexican football.

Whilst there are plenty of similarities between both sides, in the way their style of play is based on short passing and intelligence, and their fine build-up play being let down by end product in the final third, there is one major difference between them from the previous matches. Whereas Mexico will be deflated by the way they lost to Brazil, Japan’s highly unfortunate defeat to Italy should nonetheless give them a psychological lift, having showed the world how good they can be.

There is one other factor that suggests the Japanese may triumph in this game. Japan play the game at a much higher tempo than Mexico, who are almost pathologically slow in their build-up play. But the hard working and frenetic pace at which the Japanese circulate the ball and press their opponents should give them, and push De la Torre closer to, the edge. Japan 3-1 Mexico.

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