Denmark coach Morten Olsen has voiced his surprise that Japan opted to change their tactical approach just before the FIFA World Cup™, but admitted the move has been successful.
Olsen was struck by the difference between the high-tempo pressing game Japan played in a friendly against the Netherlands last year, when they lost 3-0 after dominating for the first hour, and the more cautious approach in their 1-0 defeat by the Dutch in their second Group E match in South Africa.
"They are a little more defensive, that is right," Olsen said ahead of his side's must-win meeting with the Japanese on Thursday evening. "They played with high pressure then and they play with low pressure now."
The switch has not affected Olsen's admiration for Japan's quality and he knows his injury-hit squad face a tough battle to overcome opponents who only need a draw to reach the last 16 of a FIFA World Cup for the first time on foreign soil.
"I said before the tournament that Japan was one of the teams that could surprise people who know nothing about Asian football," Olsen said. "They fight for each other and the team. You saw the Dutch team, with all the quality that they have, they had many problems against Japan. But my team can perform better than we have done so far and that is what we will need to dosource:http://www.fifa.com
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