Takeshi Okada ..... Japan head honcho..... ?I don't think I have anything left to do now, probably, it's my responsibility, we did not insist enough. when I look back at what I could have done for the players and what I did as a head coach I should have been more insistent on winning, Japan paid the price for a lack of ambition, they represented Japan and also Asia as a whole and they played until the end so I'm proud of them, I was not able to make them win, that's my responsibility, I did not make them eager enough."
.....a very harsh personal assessment from a proud and honourable man, who is clearly considering his future, my eyes filled up with water, Okada has sacrificed his heart and soul, Takeshi Okada first guided Japan to the finals in 1998 but resigned after failing to pass the group stages he returning in late 2007..

Also announcing his retirement from international football is Kuma?s (aka Utada) favourite footy squeeze Shunsuke Nakamura (Yokohama Marinos) who at 32 and with 98 caps (appearances) for Japan since early 2000, went on to score 24 goals .....Kayoko will be gutted ....

Some photo?s ....



Nakamura......plus friends ....



Pin-up boy Honda (no flies on H san ) ....Stand by your beds Girls......