YOKOHAMA — Qatar manager Bruno Metsu has poured cold water over Japan's ambition of reaching the World Cup semifinals, saying Takeshi Okada's men "don't know what to do" when the heat is on.
Japan eliminated Qatar from World Cup qualification with a 1-1 draw at Yokohama International Stadium on Wednesday night. But it was Metsu's underdogs who looked the more threatening in a match billed as a triumphant homecoming for Japan days after securing its ticket to the finals with a win in Uzbekistan.
Okada has been relentless in expressing his belief that Japan can reach the final four of the World Cup, but Metsu, who led Senegal to the quarterfinals of the 2002 tournament, believes the 52-year-old's optimism is misplaced.