Japan Are Booed Off The Pitch After China Draw

Posted Sunday, February 07, 2010 by Goal.com

It was not a good night for the hosts.

Japan coach Takeshi Okada was not surprised after his team was booed off the pitch at the end of a goalless draw against China on Saturday night in Tokyo.

Three days after a similar stalemate against Venezuela, fans at the Ajinomoto Stadium let their feelings be known.

It could have been worse as China saw a late penalty saved by Seigo Narazaki.
With Japan facing Cameroon, Denmark and the Netherlands at the World Cup and coach Okada targeting a semi-final place, the result against a young China side was disappointing.

"I'm not saying I'm completely satisfied with this result or the performance," Okada said according to the Daily Yomiuri.

"But at this point in the year, when the season hasn't even started, I just don't see this as a huge problem even before the World Cup.

"It's a shame because we were out to win, but I thought we showed considerable improvement from our last game. We gave away a penalty and there was almost an own goal, but apart from that, I thought we defended well."

"I think we have to accept the boos," said Okada.

"But we're doing everything we can for the World Cup, and that's my job."

Japan face Hong Kong on Thursday in the National Stadium.