NEWS

Japan started their East Asian Championship campaign with a 0-0 draw against China in the opening match of the biannual competition on Saturday evening at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo.

The hosts hit the woodwork twice, while Seigo Narazaki saved a penalty, but the hosts failed to find the target for the second straight match.
However, Japan dominated the game early on as Shinji Okazaki, Yoshito Okubo and Keiji Tamada worked hard up front, supported by Kengo Nakamura, Yasuhito Endo and Junichi Inamoto in midfield.
Japan’s attack had more speed and fluidity than in their previous game against Venezuela four days ago – also a 0-0 draw – and Okazaki, Tamada and Okubo all had good attempts on goal in the early stages.
In the 20th minute, Okazaki hit the woodwork with a header, while Nakamura hit a close shot in the 42nd minute.
China, who failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, responded with Rong Hao’s mid-range attempt in the 33rd minute.
After the break, Japan came close again when an Okubo header from a Yuto Nagatomo cross was saved by China goalkeeper Yang Zhi. Three minutes later, Okazaki headed wide from inside the box.
Japan defender Atsuto Uchida hit a rasping shot in the 54th minute, but the crowd of 25,964 was disappointed as it rebounded off the inside of the post.
China caused one or two problems in the Japanese penalty box and Japan defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka did well to clear the danger from a Chinese attack in the 55th minute.
Young forward Sota Hirayama, who came off the bench in the 60th minute, helped to create further chances for Japan.
But in the 81st minute, Nagatomo was penalized for handball in the area as he challenged substitute forward Qu Bo. China midfielder Yang Hao took the spot kick, but Narazaki flew to his right to steer the ball away.
Two minutes later, Japan came close again with Okubo’s volley from close range, but his shot deflected wide off a Chinese defender.
Japan coach Takeshi Okada commented: “We had a couple of dangerous moments, but apart from that, our players showed quick reactions in defense and we never let our opponents get into the space behind our backline.
“I think the players’ game fitness is returning and I hope we can beat Hong Kong before going into the game against Korea Republic.”
Okada continued, “I am not saying that I am fully satisfied with our performance today, but considering the fact that we are still playing early in the season, I don’t think we have big problems in the run-up to the World Cup.”
China coach Gao Hongbo commented, “I think both teams played aggressively and tried to win. After Japan hit the post and we failed to convert a penalty, I think a scoreless draw is an acceptable result.”

Teams:
Japan– Seigo Narazaki, Marcus Tulio Tanaka, Yuto Nagatomo, Atsuto Uchida, Yuji Nakazawa, Yasuhito Endo, Junichi Inamoto, Kengo Nakamura (Mu Kanazaki, 85th), Yoshito Okubo (Hisato Sato, 85th), Shinji Okazaki, Keiji Tamada (Sota Hirayama, 62nd). Coach, Takeshi Okada
China– Yang Zi, Zhang Linpeng, Sun Xiang (Qu Bo, ht), Zhao Peng, Rong Hao, Du Wei, Zhao Xuri (Feng Xiaoting, 64th), Jiang Ning, Deng Zhuoxiang, Yang Hao, Gao Lin (Yang Xu, 83rd). Coach, Gao Hongbo
Goals—None
Cautions—Zhao Xuri (China, 53rd), Kengo Nakamura (Japan, 71st)
Expulsions—None
Attendance—25,964
Referee—Strebre Delovski (Australia)