Japan got the right to participate in the World Cup

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First (Japan got the right to participate in the World Cup)

On August 31st, 2017, The World Cup Asian final preliminary games were held. The match between Japan and Australia occurred at Saitama Stadium on August 31, 2017 with Japan winning. Because of this victory, they could advance and participate in the World Cup Russia Tournament in 2018. Japan defeated Australia with score 2-0. There was one more game left, but Japan already secured the first spot. It’s their sixth consecutive time participating in the World Cup. Japan had not won over Australia for eighth times consecutively in the World Cup competition and preliminaries, but they finally did this time.

On September 2016, Japan was defeated by UAE with a score 1-2. It was an unexpected start in the World Cup final preliminaries. The past data shows that ‘The possibility of a team advancing to the World Cup with a first game loss is 0%. But Halil coach and Japan team changed that history with indomitable spirit. Asano scored the first goal in the first half of 41 minutes, Ideguchi took additional points in the latter half of 37 minutes. Japan’s defense didn’t let its opponent make a goal by hard and tough defense.

The World Cup Russia Tournament will be held from June 14th next year.

At the last Brazil Tournament, Japan ended in the primary league with 1 draw 2 losses. Japan aims to advance to the finals tournament for the first time in two tournaments.

Japan, which have already gotten the right to participate in the World Cup Russia Tournament, competed with Saudi Arabia which is the 2nd place in the tournament held on September 6th.
Japan was defeated by Saudi Arabia at the score 0-1.

Although Australia won against Thailand at the score 2-1, they couldn’t take over the goal difference of Saudi Arabia.

From the above the result, Japan and Saudi Arabia in group B got the right to participate in the Tournament. While Australia who just loss one game must continue to the next play off game to be able to get the last entry.

(Result)
First
Japan
6 wins 2 losses 2 draws
Points 20
goal difference 10

Second
Saudi Arabia
6 wins 3 losses 1 draw
Points 19
goal difference 7

Third
Australia
5 wins 1 loss 4 draws
Points 19
goal difference 5

On the other hand, in group A, Iran passed first and South Korea passed second, Syria is challenged to the play off game.

Question

You can hear a conversation between two people after you play the sound. Answer the questions about the conversation.

Sound 1

Conversation 1

Japan got the right to participate in the World Cup Tournament.

Yeah. Japan won over Australia with the score 2-0 which Japan has not won ever. It’s wonderful.

I’m glad that Japan got it, but I’m worried if Japan could beat their opponents in the World Cup.
As a matter of fact, even in the Asian preliminaries, Japan won a lot of games, but those aren’t easy wins. They struggled a lot. So I am not confident if Japan could win in the World Cup since the level, the teams, and the players are much better, higher, and bigger there by far.

That’s a good point. It’s similar with the Tournament in Brazil. The result of Japan in the preliminaries tournament was 2 losses and 1 draw. They couldn’t win at all. Then Colombia which passed the preliminaries lost in the quarter finals. So, the cause of Japan`s loss was not because of an unlucky selection process. I think it has something to do with the players` abilities.

Question 1

What was the result of Japan in the last World Cup Brazil?
A. Japan was defeated in preliminaries, couldn’t proceed to the main competition in the World Cup.
B. Japan passed Asian preliminaries, but couldn’t win against any competitors at the main competition in the World Cup.
C. Japan was defeated at the quarter finals at the main competition in the World Cup.
D. Japan was just unfortunate.

Answer and Explanation 1

Answer：B
It’s mentioned that ‘The result of Japan…’ and ‘They couldn’t win at all’.
A: It’s mentioned that ‘Then Colombia which passed the preliminaries lost in the quarter finals’.
C: The team who advanced in the quarter finals was Colombia.
D: It’s mentioned that ‘the cause of the defeat was not because of an unlucky selection process’.

Sound 2

Conversation 2

The opponents don’t give Japan enough time to control the ball so much unlike Asian countries. Japan team is known for its good passing skills, but this method will not work well in the World Cup unlike in the Asian preliminaries. In addition, players from South America and Africa are faster than Japanese players. Once Japan`s pass has been cut and countered by the opponent, the opponent can then easily kick the ball going to their side. A forward player is already waiting to receive the kick and ready to make the goal. It can all happen with a blink of an eye. That’s how fast South American teams are. Japan is not good at that style, sometimes it takes them 3 players to defend 1 forward.

So, is there a possibility to win against the World Cup opponents if Japan copies the counter style?

This time, in the match against Australia, Japan made goals with a quick counter attacks after getting the ball, which is different from the method that Japan usually does, but I can’t guarantee if that style will work in the World level.

But it’s sixth consecutive World Cup for Japan, Japan might have prepared for a better strategy by considering the result of the last World Cup. Don’t you think so?

I hope that Japan can work with that style. There are Asano who can run fast and Okazaki who made a great success in one of the best European teams. Okazaki has grown and improved so much after the World Cup in Brazil 3 years ago. So, I believe in the possibility that Japan could win by using a combination of passing and counter attacking in a match, which can confuse their opponents.

Question 2

What did Tetsuya suggest so Japan can win against their opponents in the World level?
A. It’s OK to do the passing style like before.
B. It’s better not to use the passing style. Focus on just counter attacking.
C. It’s better to mix both passing and counter attacking.
D. The coach should be changed to Oka-chan.

Answer and Explanation 2

Answer：C
It’s mentioned that ‘Japan could win by using a combination of passing and counter attacking’.
A,B and D are not mentioned in the conversation.

Sound 3

Conversation 3

I’m worried about Honda and Kagawa. They’re not in good condition.

I think so. In Asian preliminaries, although young players such as Ideguchi who did well in the match V.S Australia could surely contribute, expert players such as Honda and Kagawa’s presence in the match can definitely help because they can motivate and relax the young players.

That’s a good point. Do you remember the ‘Tragedy in Doha’. It’s was in Asian preliminaries. We almost made it to the World Cup. It was nearly a dream come true but we failed. Japan was overtaken by Iran on the last 1 or 2 minutes of the loss time in second half.

Yeah. It’s OK to use all younger members if Japan have some confidence to win. But they might miss or fail to make goals because of their lack of experience, nervousness, and pressure. At times like this, expert players, Honda and Kagawa might bring the winning goal.

I want to witness once again the excitement just like the happening in ‘the delight in Johor Bahru’. Japan got the right to participate in the World Cup for the first time. That was an unforgettable moment for all Japanese.

Yes. Let’s cheer for Japan`s team with hope.

Question 3

What was the tragedy in Doha?
A. The match was canceled due to heavy rain in the second half.
B. Japan was about to get the right to participate in the World Cup if they were able to keep the loss time.
C. Japan has already had the right to participate in the World Cup, but the tournaments were canceled due to terrorism that occurred during the match.
D. Key player, Johor Bahru was injured during the match and couldn’t participate in the main tournaments in the World Cup.

Answer and Explanation 3

Answer：B
It’s mentioned that ‘Japan was overtaken by Iran when…’.
A,C and D are not mentioned.

Supplement

The delight in Johor Bahru

In the World Cup French tournament in 1998 Asian final qualifying, On November 16th, 1997, Japan defeated Iran with score 3-2 in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Japan got the right to participate in the World Cup.

The tragedy in Doha

In the World Cup American tournament in 1994 Asian final qualifying, On Octover 28th, 1993, Japan had a draw with Iraq with a score 2-2 in Doha, Qatar. Japan was not able to advance in the World Cup. In the latter half loss time, just one or two minutes left, Iraq got a goal from Japan.
Although Japan had the same result as South Korea with 2 wins 2 losses 1 draw, the goal difference rank was third, not within second. Therefore Japan lost to get the right to participate in the World Cup.

Let’s talk more!

What do you think about World Cup?
Let’s talk about it with your friend.
How is the situation in other countries?
Ask your teacher or a foreigner about it.

Example

1. Which countries do you think will win in the World Cup?

2. Who do you think will be the MVP in Japan team?

3. Do you think Japan can get the 8th place or higher in coming World Cup?

4. Which is the best way for the Japanese coach to use, expert players such as Honda and Kagawa or fresh members?