Thursday, Aug. 30

Canada vs. Japan

It is game day! We play Japan today so most of the day will consist of meetings, meals and some down time to adequately prepare for the game. Last night the team watched game tape, with the intent to analyze Japan's attacking tendencies and defensive weaknesses. Although Japan is small in stature and not a physically dominating team, their ability to connect passes in tight spaces and overall quickness should provide us with a great pre-World Cup match. Our game keys are to overwhelm their back four and
goalkeeper with crosses in the box. We want to utilize our center striker as a target for flicks for the other two strikers to run onto. As well, we want our center midfielder to be really advanced. Defensively, our first defender pressure must be solid and we must have tight marking in the box. It is important that we shut down Japan's play-maker and goalscorer, Homare Sawa (well-known from appearances in WUSA). Overall, we need to play with energy and passion and the rest will take care of itself.

Tanya