Kuala Lumpur: After Australia’s 2-3 loss against Germany in the FIFA Confederations Cup opener last night, we turn the clock back 16 years to Asia’s best performance so far at the pan-continental tournament.
The 2001 edition saw Japan reach the final, Korea Republic set the platform for their 2002 World Cup heroics, and a future AFC member, Australia, shine.
Korea sow the seeds of future glory
Co-hosted by 2002 FIFA World Cup hosts, Japan and Korea Republic, the latter opened the tournament in a somewhat inauspicious fashion after a crushing 5-0 loss to the reigning World champions France.
The Koreans bounced back in their next two ties, though, with a fine 2-1 win over Mexico before legendary striker Hwang Sun-hong scored one of the goals of the tournament to win the tie against Australia in Suwon.
There would, of course, be even more memorable moments to come 12 months later for the Koreans at the World Cup.
Socceroos soar
There were no such issues for Australia in their first FIFA Confederations Cup outing as they eased to a 2-0 win over Mexico.
But better was to come at Daegu World Cup Stadium with a Clayton Zane winner securing a 1-0 victory against World Cup holders France.
“It was only the fourth game they had lost in four years. So, that was some feat,” Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer told FIFA TV.
“They rested a few players but they still had a very formidable side out, we knew we had nothing to lose.”
The 1-0 loss to Korea did not stop the Socceroos progressing to the last four at the Koreans expense as Group A runners-up and earning a meeting with Japan.
Japan’s rising sons
“There had never before been an opportunity to play against such incredible opponents in competition conditions in our own country,” recalled Japan icon Hidetoshi Nakata in an interview with FIFA.
“The crowd was fired up and we fed off that; the players were even more motivated than usual.”
Comfortable wins over Canada (3-0) and Cameroon (2-0) lay testament to former midfielder Nakata’s words.
And as did the 0-0 draw with Brazil that saw Japan progress to the semi-finals as Group B winners.
Samurais’ stormy semi-final
“It was horrendous. The raindrops, well I am not sure I would even call it raindrops anymore, they were basically lines of water coming down from the sky,” said Schwarzer.
Wet and windy conditions in Yokohama did neither team any favours in the semi-final but it was Japan and Nakata who were best able to utilise them to their advantage.
The then-Serie A star, who would move from Roma to Parma shortly after the tournament’s completion, struck a low shot that skidded off the sodden turf and past Schwarzer.
“I had to adapt to the rainy conditions and shoot low, even if it meant hitting someone, to use that slippery pitch,” said Nakata.
“It worked well, and it ended up being the only goal of the match.”
Signing off in style
Australia bounced back from the disappointment in fine style in the third place play-off with a stunning 1-0 win over a Brazil side who would be crowned World Cup winners a year later.
Shaun Murphy was the Socceroos hero with the game’s only goal six minutes from time.
A day later, Japan faced France at Yokohama International Stadium in front of over 65,000 spectators. Unfortunately, for the vast majority of the fans in the stands, a Patrick Vieira header proved the difference on the night.
Asia’s representatives were, though, recognised at the end of the match with awards for Nakata (Bronze Ball), Hwang Sun-hong (Bronze Shoe) and Japan (Fair Play Trophy).
Moreover, Asia’s greatest performance at a FIFA Confederations Cup was to be followed just a year later by their greatest FIFA World Cup yet.
Photos: AFP
Source: the-afc.com