In fairness, you could tell that their luck was running out—almost from the beginning. By all rights, the score should have been 4-0 US at the end of the first half, but our team could just not finish.
Surely, there were some coaching issues. After all, despite the lack of success, our side did not change its approach to corner kicks, always opting to float the ball into the back post. And, there was far too much of a let down after both go-ahead goals. Not exactly seminal Al Davis “No let up, no let up” moments.
I could also have done without the crosses done by our players in front of our own goal. When the penalty kicks came, it was all over, of course with the three straight misses.
A big disappointment, but Japan wanted this one a whole lot more.