Japan 2-0 Tunisia

I had the privilege of watching this game from the
press area, right on the centerline from an
advantageous elevation.

It was certainly the best match I have ever seen Japan
play, and a definitive statement of the players' true
capabilities when playing with full confidence and a
professional mentality.  I am hopeful that as their
confidence builds, they will begin to draw even more
deeply on their fundamental strengths.

Here are some of the key stories I saw unfolding:

Tunisian passivity: One reason Japan looked so good is
that Tunisia foolishly and stubbornly refused to
press, allowing Japan to stroke the ball around in
their own half with acres of space and aeons of time. 
This allowed Japan to completely dictate the pace and
establish a rhythm; they have yet to play a really
strong match against an opponent who presses
mercilessly.  Fortunately, Turkey is also unlikely to
do so.  Even so, as they showed against Belgium,
Japan's football may get a lot less pretty against
heavy midfield blanketing, but it can be just as
steely.  

Ono and Ichikawa: 
This was an incredible study in contrasts on the
wings, even though both players had phenomenal
outings.  Ono played one of the best defensive matches
any Japanese player has EVER had.  His workrate was
astounding, and he absolutely snuffed the Tunisian
wing play on his side of the field.  His offensive
touch and instincts remain well off his best, but he
more than compensated with his total mastery of the
ball and the space on Japan's left flank.  And where
did he get that 90-minute, full-throttle stamina from?
 A stunning performance.  

Ichikawa, on the other hand, looked exhausted and
lackadasical from the moment he stepped on the pitch. 
He was leaning on his knees, wiping his brow, and
dogging it up and down the pitch with little urgency. 
He never accelerated beyond a trot, even when his man
was streaking past him down the wing.  Yet when he did
bother to get involved, he was magical... not only did
his runs and crosses burst the Tunisian flank like a
melon, he managed to win virtually every 50-50 ball in
his neighborhood: headers, tackles, interceptions.  He
befuddled the Tunisians without even seeming to expend
any effort.  Adam mentioned that Japan never got out
of third gear; Ichikawa never left second.

Mi-ya-mo-to, OLE!:
I completely disagreed with assessments that he played
well against Russia, but Tunisia match was a different
story.  Such anticipation!  Such decisiveness!  And
without the usual torchings and topplings by opponents
of vastly superior physical ability.  The Tunisians
helped him out by making few speedy runs.  And Matsuda
and Koji, particularly the former, have learned how to
cover for Miyamoto's lack of pace and aerial
weakness... their precautions often saved Japan's
bacon, and allow Miyamoto to play his aggressive,
proactive style.

Toda: the luckiest man in the Cup:
Twice in a row now he commits obvious fouls in the box
and avoids giving up a PK or getting a card.  But how
long can his luck hold out?  Playing him remains a
risk of giving up a PK and losing a player to a red
card... but not playing him seems the greater risk,
since his omnipresence and toughness are
indispensable.  He has developed his ability to cover
the spaces left by Inamoto and the two sidebacks
pushing up, adding much stability to the defense.