At least Philippe Troussier didn't kiss his players this time. After Japan had demolished Jamaica 4-0 in their third-place playoff at the King Hassan II Cup in Casablanca on Tuesday, the Frenchman must have felt tempted.
Given the recent speculation about his future with the Japan Football Association, Troussier, who famously planted a smacker on the cheeks of his under-20 players after they reached the final of the World Youth Championship last year, did well to restrain himself.
Japan battled to a creditable 2-2 draw with World Cup holder France in its opening match in Morocco last Sunday only to lose on penalties, but Troussier looked like he had his tactics and, finally, his team selection right.