World Cup - Japan 0 Turkey 1

Turkey advanced to a quarter final against Senegal with a surprisingly comfortable win against the co-hosts in Miyagi.

The Turks were rarely threatened and were able to close out the win from quite early in the game as the co-hosts failed to produce the rousing display in heavy and wet conditions that many predicted.

Japan were expected to storm into the second half after going a goal down but they never managed to mount sustained attacks.

The co-hosts lacked the high tempo and energy in their game which characterized their better performances in the opening round and Turkey were able to easily pick off their tactics.

In the end the lack of a proven striker helped to knock out Japan.

Hidetoshi Nakata had a shot deflected in the 52nd minute which Turkish goalkeeper Rustu Recber jumped and daves and Akinori Nishizawa forced Rustu to catch a header in the 61st minute.

Bulent nicked a shot off the toe of substitute Takayuki Suzuki on 64 minutes but Japan ran quickly out of ideas.

Nishizawa turned and shot from distance in the 80th minute but the shot went high over the bar.

Turkey almost broke through in the first minute when Yildiry Basturk was through on goal on the left side of the penalty area and Japanese goalkeeper Seigo Narazaki came out to save at his feet.

Japan started with midfielder Alex pushed into attack and have forced a save from Rustu Recber in the 5th minute but the Turks then took the lead.

The Japanese defence left midfielder Umit Davala unmarked at a corner from the right and he headed in at the near post.

Alex came closest to responding as Japan struggled to get back into the game.

Turkey were able to play on the break but Japan were close to an equalizer when Alex curled in left-foot free kick against the angle of post and bar.

But Alex was removed from the team at half time and replaced by Takayuki Suzuki to little effect.

Turkey did not even have to be at their best although goalkeeper Rustu and midfielders Hasan Sas and Basturk did impress. Principle striker Hakan Sukur was abysmal throughout the game and Japan must know they never really tested their opponents when it mattered.

They were not helped by the loss of Alex at half time and in the end coach Troussier’s tactical tinkering and complications mired his side in a low key display that emphasized the paucity of their attack.