Zac's First Defeat

Japan suffered their first defeat under coach Alberto Zaccheroni as the Asian champions lost 1-0 to North Korea in a World Cup qualifier today.

In Japan's first match in the North Korea capital since June 1989, Pak Nam Chol's 50th-minute header avenged North Korea's September defeat in Tokyo and sparked delirious scenes from the packed crowd at Pyongyang's Kim Il Sung Stadium.


Zaccheroni made six changes to his starting lineup from last week's victory in Tajikistan, and overhauled team failed to click as the hosts took advantage of the lack of Japanese cohesion.




There's no doubt that midfielders Honda, Endo, and Kagawa play a great important role in the present Zac Japan.


Anyway, I felt relief that no players were injured at that game.




Japan had already advanced to the final qualifiers for Brazil from Group C after beating Tajikistan 4-0 on Friday.