The mollusk is a legend.

bmwracer wrote:

The mollusk is a legend.

I am sure he made some people betting at the sports book some serious money.

In deference those people have sworn never to eat calamari again.

Tu_triky wrote:

I am sure he made some people betting at the sports book some serious money. In deference those people have sworn never to eat calamari again.

That's squid.

With that in mind, more takoyaki for the rest of us!

bmwracer wrote:

That's squid. With that in mind, more takoyaki for the rest of us!

Say no to cuttlefish as well.

Tu_triky wrote:

Say no to cuttlefish as well.

Eeek, neve like cuttle fish to begin with.

bmwracer wrote:

Eeek, neve like cuttle fish to begin with.

Long live all Cephalopods!

Japan booked a place in the Asian Cup final when it won 3-0 on penalties against arch-rivals South Korea, which had snatched an equaliser in the last minute of extra time in an entertaining 2-2 draw overnight.

Three-times champion Japan will play Australia after it thrashed Uzbekistan 6-0 at the Khalifa Stadium in Doha.

Yasuyuki Konno scored the winning penalty on his 28th birthday after Koo Ja-cheol, Lee Yong-rae and Hong Jeong-ho failed to convert Korea's opening three penalties.

The manner of the defeat proved too much for some Koreans who were in tears moments after they celebrated a 120th-minute equaliser from Hwang Jae-won to force a shootout.

The east Asian rivals produced some of the best football of the tournament in the first 45 minutes at the Al Gharafa Stadium with Japan unlucky not to take the lead.

An eye-catching move in the 17th minute set Yuto Nagatomo clear down the left and the full-back's cross found Shinji Okazaki but his powerful header was deflected onto the inside of the post by keeper Jung Sung-ryong who then gathered the ball.

Despite the Blue Samurai's fast start it was Korea which took the lead five minutes later from the penalty spot in somewhat fortunate circumstances.

Konno was judged to have blocked Korea captain Park Ji-sung who, in his 100th international, was chasing a long ball into the area which he did not look like getting.

Ki Sung-yueng tucked the spot kick past Japan keeper Eiji Kawashima.

Japan did not let the decision affect it and it was level after another superb attacking move down the left.

Playmaker Keisuke Honda cut out three Korean defenders with a perfectly weighted through ball for Nagatomo and the full-back squared a cross which Ryoichi Maeda lifted over Jung for his third goal of the tournament.

The chances began to dry up in the second half with nerves likely having an effect on the two young sides as the tempo slowed with both teams switching to a more defensive style.

Lee Yong-rae came closest to scoring a second for the twice champion Koreans but his clipped free kick from 22 metres sailed agonisingly wide of the post before the end of normal time.

Extra time looked to have provided a winner when Japanese substitute Hajime Hosogai powered home the rebound after Jung had saved Honda's poorly struck penalty in the 97th minute.

Saudi Arabian referee Khalil Al Ghamdi had initially pointed for a free kick before awarding Japan a penalty after Korea defender Hwang was judged to have obstructed forward Okazaki.

- Reuters

^ Was an entertaining match, I think Japan deserved to win, they played better on the field. The ref wasn't good. But those Korean players need to work on their penalty kicks, you can't miss three in a row in this type of game.

Big match for Australia coming up. Japan is deserving of being in the final. I guess i'll be happy no matter who wins.

Might check out the final if there is a decent stream. Need a soccer match to cheer me up after the debacle that happened Wednesday night in the Carling Cup Semi-Final between Birmingham/West Ham.

Nippon just beat Australia in the Asia Cup final 1-0.

Takoyama wrote:

Nippon just beat Australia in the Asia Cup final 1-0.

Wow....!

Bugger. I knew it was gonna be tough. Ganbatte Nippon!

Japan officially pull out of Copa Ámerica

Japan have withdrawn from playing in this summer's Copa America, with Blue Samurai chiefs citing the country's recent devastating earthquake and subsequent rescheduling of the J-League as a key factor.

Since 1993, two non-South Americannations have been invited to compete in the continent's premier international tournament and Japan had been set to make their second appearance in the competition, having last played in 1999 when they finished bottom of their group.

But a combination of factors, including the earthquake and tsunami, as well as European clubs' refusal to release players for the tournament, has led to the decision to pull out of the competition, which takes place from July 1-24 in Argentina.

Japan Football Association (JFA) president Junji Ogura announced the decision after sending an official message to the Argentina Football Association (AFA), notifying president Julio Grondona of the withdrawal.

"With all due considerations, we cannot form a team to participate in such an important tournament as the Copa America and lamentably we must withdraw our place in the competition," Ogura said.

The JFA had been trying to strike an agreement with German clubs, in particular, but most Bundesliga pre-season camps begin during the tournament and so no deal could be reached.

Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni said: "I respect the JFA's decision and am deeply grateful to the authorities of the JFA, CONMEBOL and FIFA, who worked enthusiastically towards our participation in the tournament.

"This year has turned to be an exceptional year following the East Japan disaster and that has put us in a situation where we have to make a difficult decision like this one.''

The third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup will get under way in September and Japan will now have three friendly matches - Kirin Cup games against Peru on June 1 in Niigata and Czech Republic on June 7 in Yokohama - and against South Korea on August 10 in Sapporo to prepare.

Zaccheroni added: "We would like to move on to set our full focus on our preparation for our important games in the World Cup qualifiers.''

Mexico, the second invited team, will return to make their eighth appearance at the Copa America, but it looks unlikely that any other nation will be able to fill Japan's place at such short notice. The USA competed at the 2007 edition of the tournament, though they lost all three of their group games.

http://tinyurl.com/6y8hlwh

Yeah, Costa Rica will take their spot in the tournament.

Shame Japan won't go, but even if their players who are on Europeans clubs can't go, it would've been really difficult for players who are still in the J-League. I mean, with the Copa America, League Cup, Emperor's Cup and Asian Champions League, certain players wouldn't be able to make it all the way to December when the J-League season concludes. Hopefully they will get another invite for 2015.

Yeah, its a shame, would've been interesting to see Japan play.
What I don't get is, originally the Japanese federation said that the European clubs had agreed to lend them the players. Now they are saying a deal had never been reached.

Whoa, look who suited up for Man United. Are we back in the late 90's again?

Gold Cup Final

Mexico beat the US, 4-2. Reminiscent of the last Confederations' Cup the US blew a 2 goal lead.
A couple of things I noticed: Landon Donovan shouldn't be on the bench, I don't understand that move by Bradley. Freddy Adu finally seems to be stepping up.

Copa América starts friday.

Jav_sol wrote:

Gold Cup Final Mexico beat the US, 4-2. Reminiscent of the last Confederations' Cup the US blew a 2 goal lead. A couple of things I noticed: Landon Donovan shouldn't be on the bench, I don't understand that move by Bradley. Freddy Adu finally seems to be stepping up. Copa América starts friday.

A couple of things I noticed: The US defense sucks, as usual...and they are serious choke artists.

Tu_triky wrote:

The US defense sucks, as usual.

I feel that Onyewu left a void that couldn't be filled.