TOKYO, 21 August 2003 — Striker Naohiro Takahara struck twice in the first half as Japan beat a weakened Nigeria team 3-0 yesterday to give Brazilian coach Zico his first taste of victory on home soil. Japan, putting in one of their liveliest displays since the World Cup, should have won by more as Italian-based Hidetoshi Nakata and Shunsuke Nakamura dominated the midfield.
Takahara heeded Zico’s pre-match call for composed finishing in the first minute with a fierce run and drive before following up with a well-directed header six minutes before halftime. The confidence-boosting night was completed midway through the second half with a goal by midfielder Yasuhito Endo, though the Nigerian players appealed bitterly for offside.
Japan continued to create the most chances, but Nigeria should have equalized in the first half when Barcelona midfielder Haruna Babangida shot wide after being put through in front of goal. The miss was immediately punished by a flowing Japan move that ended with Takahara’s second goal. After drifting out to the left wing, Nakamura flighted a pinpoint cross in to the unmarked Hamburg striker, who made no mistake with a simple header.
But there was still plenty of evidence to back up Zico’s concern that his players need to show more cool in their finishing. Striker Atsushi Yanagisawa was among several players who should have scored and Japan had to wait until the 72nd minute to make their pressure count again. Midfielder Junichi Inamoto found Endo in space and the Gamba Osaka player did well to steer his shot past advancing keeper Greg Etafia.
Gazzayev May
Quit as Russia Coach
Meanwhile, Russia coach Valery Gazzayev said he was considering his position after a disappointing 2-1 home defeat by Israel in an international friendly yesterday. Gazzayev, who was under heavy pressure from the media and fans to resign following a string of poor results, blasted his players for a lackluster effort against the Israelis.
Mass Fight Breaks
Out in Latvia friendly
A mass fight broke out in the dying minutes of the friendly between Latvia and Uzbekistan leading to two sendings-off after the visitors went 3-0 up in the 86th minute in Riga yesterday.
Uzbekistan substitute Alexander Geinrikh, who scored the third goal, immediately attacked down the flank before becoming embroiled in a tussle with a Latvian defender which resulted in a brawl involving most players on the field. Latvian captain Mihails Zemlinskis and Uzbekistan’s Bahtiyr Ashurmatov were both handed a red card after the incident. The game ended with a 3-0 win to Uzbekistan.
Slovenia Captain
Zahovic Sent Off
In Murska Sobota, Slovenia, who had captain Zlatko Zahovic sent off with 20 minutes to go, beat Hungary 2-1 in a friendly international yesterday. Substitute Sebastjan Cimirotic volleyed Slovenia’s decisive second goal in the 76th minute, six minutes after Zahovic was shown the red card for a second bookable offense.
Goran Sukalo put Slovenia ahead in the third minute after Aleksander Knavs’s header from close range bounced off Sukalo and past helpless goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly. In injury time, Miklos Feher rounded off the scoring with a late consolation goal for Hungary, heading home from close range after a corner.
Macedonia Cruise to 3-1
Win Over Albania
In Prilep, Macedonia inflicted a convincing 3-1 defeat on Albania yesterday as the two sides warmed up for their Euro 2004 qualifiers next month. The home side were soon on top in the friendly international, taking the lead in the ninth minute through striker Ilco Naumoski.
Albania’s Foto Strakosha saved Goran Stavrevski’s shot but Naumoski was on hand to slot in the rebound past the stranded goalkeeper. The Macedonians took full advantage of their numerical superiority after the 20th minute, when Albanian Geri Cipi was sent off for unsporting conduct.
Midfielder Goran Pandev picked up a fine cross from Georgi Hristov to head the second goal in the 36th minute from close range. Substitute Draganco Dimitrovski added the third for the home side 13 minutes from end, while Ervin Skela scored the only goal for the visiting team in the 74th.
