KOBE -- If Japan manager Philippe Troussier needed to be reminded of his side's defensive frailties, then he should be grateful to Honduras, which pushed the home side to a 3-3 draw in the Kirin Cup at Kobe Wing Stadium on Thursday.
Honduras took the lead three times, showing how fragile Japan can be at the back. It would be nice to say Japan roared back to equalize each time, but, in truth, the Japanese were lucky to salvage anything from this game.
Once again, the back three of Naoki Matsuda, Tsuneyasu Miyamoto and Koji Nakata creaked badly, although Nakata should not be lumped in with the other two (for once). Matsuda, who is usually the best of the three, was simply dreadful, while Miyamoto played to his usual poor standard. Unfortunately, it is not the standard of the man whose boots he is keeping warm at the moment: Ryuzo Morioka. Troussier must be praying for Morioka's recovery.
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