Quick hits: Matildas put on notice as Japan soar into Asian Cup final

Source : ABC NEWS

Ultimate control, goals from everywhere and unrelenting pressure — Japan was jaw-dropping in its 4-1 semifinal demolition of fellow tournament heavyweight South Korea.

And for Matildas fans, whose side take on the Nadeshiko in Saturday’s tournament decider, it was nothing short of a frightening evening of football.

Here is what we learned about Japan and its eccentric Greenlandic coach on Wednesday in Sydney.

1. Ultimate control from the start

Having scored 24 goals and conceded none from their first four games of the tournament, the Nadeshiko understandably began the semifinal as very warm favourites.

But for all Japan’s razzle dazzle, it was yet to be truly tested in Australia, having avoided the continent’s other big four teams in the group stage and quarterfinals.

And in South Korea, beaten finalists from 2022, it was coming up against a side whose disciplined, pragmatic 4-4-2 had more than a few hallmarks of trouble.

After all, the Taeguk Ladies had so effectively frustrated the Matildas earlier in the tournament, condemning Australia to a second-place finish in Group A.

But if there was a feeling the South Koreans were well placed to nullify the rampant Japanese, it was quickly dispelled at Stadium Australia.

Japan settled immediately and without fuss, dictating the entirety of the possession and territory, fashioning a first chance of the evening within 60 seconds.

From there the half progressed like a training drill, with Japan building patiently and then accelerating with precision at even the slightest hint of an opportunity to do so.

However, perhaps even more impressive was Japan’s ability to smother the South Koreans on the rare occasion they were able to get on the ball.

The perfect execution of the Japanese press meant that it always felt like they had an extra body in the contest, and it was that pressure that led to the opening goal.

Fuka Nagano, pressing high on the edge of the Korean penalty area, dispossessed a Korean defender before squaring the ball to Riko Ueki, who slotted her fifth goal of the tournament.

2. Japan stretches the play

By half-time, Japan was 2-0 up.

And that scoreline flattered the South Koreans, who had less than 25 per cent possession and had conceded 12 shots.

One of those efforts came at the end of a move as good as any we’ve seen at the tournament so far.

A string of well over 10 Japanese passes, including a lovely flick on the edge of the penalty area, ended with the excellent Yui Hasegawa almost unbelievably rolling wide from the edge of the 6-yard box.

It was an example of Japan’s ability to use every inch of the playing surface.

Again and again, wingers Aoba Fujino and Maika Hamano pulled wide, joined in attack by adventurous fullbacks Hikaru Kitagawa and Hana Takahashi.

It meant that there was more often than not a player available in space, with the Korean defenders caught following the ball while Japan circulated it through midfield.

The fullbacks would push high into the half space, taking up positions from which they could either work in a cross from deep or look for a pass through the lines.  

3. Goals from all angles

Fujino was excellent all night in Sydney and was a deserved player-of-the-match from the left wing, but it was Hamano who provided the goal of the game.

Twenty-four hours after Sam Kerr got her angles right with a deft finish against China, Hamano produced her own slice of geometric genius, scything home a rasping right-footed shot from near to the by-line.

It was a moment of individual inspiration, a real change of pace from the waves of painstakingly crafted Japanese attacks we’d been treated to prior to it.

Another feature of Japan’s attacking play is its acumen from the dead ball.

Set pieces have been a constant avenue to goal throughout the tournament for the Nadeshiko, and so it proved again on Wednesday, with Saki Kumagai stooping to head home a brilliantly flighted corner in the second half.

And just in case all that wasn’t enough, the team was very impressive in transition.

With South Korea chasing the game in the second half, we were given the first proper glimpse of Japan on the counterattack at this tournament, with Remina Chiba finishing off a lightning-quick break to make the score 4-1.

4. The eccentric mastermind from Greenland

Welcome to the world of Nils Nielsen.

With a pierced ear and sharp suit, there’s a touch of rock and roll about the 54-year-old coach with a chaotic backstory who will lead Japan into Saturday’s tournament decider.

Nielsen had no professional playing experience after being born with a defect in his back, which led doctors to advise him against pursuing a career as a footballer.

He ignored them until he sustained an injury while falling over an advertising hoarding in a match and went all in with coaching.

“I hurt myself and I was lucky the [Danish] federation gave me some special treatment as a coach,” Nielsen said.

“I feel very blessed, sometimes when something happens to you [it opens] new doors so you don’t have to be sad about it.”

Nielsen, who was born in Greenland, has previously coached Denmark and Switzerland.

He has also used his voice as a native Greenlander to criticise Donald Trump, calling for the US president to be “thrown out of office” over his plans to annex the territory. 

“Greenland is not a fantastic place to grow up and I don’t know why they call it Greenland because there’s no green stuff,” Nielsen said.

“Yeah there’s a bit of moss in the summer down south but other than that it’s rocks and ice. It’s a strange place.” 

He has also written a children’s novel and hopes to record a pop song once the tournament ends.

5. What does this mean for the Matildas?

There is no sugar coating it: the Matildas will come up against a very, very good team (and a rather intriguing manager) on Saturday evening.

After the semifinal victory over China, Joe Montemurro said there was a palpable sense of belief amongst his players.

The brilliance of Japan’s performance against South Korea may well have tested that belief, but with a rocking Stadium Australia behind them, they should and will remain bullish on securing a long-awaited second continental crown in Sydney.

In Mackenzie Arnold, they boast a goalkeeper as good as any on the continent, in Ellie Carpenter, a right back up there with the world’s best, and in Sam Kerr, a truly generational talent.

The physicality of Caitlin Foord could prove to be a big asset, Katrina Gorry and Alanna Kennedy will do their best to prevent Australia from being over-run in midfield, while Mary Fowler is always capable of magic.

And many of the Matildas lining up on Saturday will know exactly what to expect from their Japanese opponents, with both sides featuring a glut of players plying their trade in England’s Women’s Super League. 

As for Montemurro, the match will be a fascinating test of his ideological principles.

Since assuming his role in June last year, the Matildas boss has been fanatical about his tactical ideals, stressing the importance of control and expression above all else.

If his side can live by those values against Japan, it will be confident of living by them against any team in the world.

ABC/AAP