August 18, 2004

QUARTERFINALS HERE WE COME.

In a span of about ten minutes, we could have played Nigeria, Mexico, Germany, Sweden or Japan. It has finally been settled and we will play Japan, a recent opponent who we played to a 1-1 tie in June. That game was played on field turf in Louisville, KY, and somehow I think the game will be different on real grass.

Japan, like China, are incredibly skillful, so an unusually fast, slick surface combines better with their strengths. In this upcoming game, natural grass, the big field, and the fact that the ball will be on the field more than out of bounds (it tends to be out of bounds more on unnatural surfaces because the ball picks up speed and it never tires) will work in our favor.

I am not sure of Japan's overall record in past knockout stage games. I don't think it is overwhelmingly good, but that will be thrown out the window come the game in three days time. There will be things you can't write on a stat sheet that will matter -- intelligence, emotion, and passion to name a few. At this stage, the players are qualified, but it is in these moments when you will find out what the players are really made out of. The 'moment' can make the best of players lose their cool, or the shyest rise above. That is why it is key for our team to take that variable out of the equation immediately. 100% pressure, hard tackles, smart connecting passing to gain confidence will be critical. The sooner we can take them away from their comfort zone, the better for us, allowing our players to attack the game, and not be under a barrage of fire.

As in the Brazil game, the last game against Japan was a tale of two halves. Bunker down, take the heat, swing a few times to keep them from pummeling you, then when they feel they have you right where they want you, you pull a Rocky Balboa on them (not sure whether it was I,II,III, IV. He seemed to come back in all of them. But I think the one against Apollo Creed is the most Rocky-esque). But if you can get the rhythm of the game on your side before you have to go into those tactics, it’s better.

We will need to move the Japanese from side to side, penetrate with decisive entry passes, and unbalance them with multiple options. We will watch film, have discussions, and throw around different scenarios at training over the next two days, and then we will play our hand for everyone to see...kind of like going all in at the World Series of poker. Best hand will win!!!

GO USA!

Brandi