For the last Wembley match before the summer's World Cup, England entertained Japan, on paper not the most glamorous of fixtures, but as it turned out the Japanese put forward a good case for winning the tournament, much more than England did. In fact Japan looked a really strong side, fast, tricky, well organised, in fact, everything that England weren't on this particular night.

Japan are very much a front-foot side and were soon pressing England, giving them little room and space to manoeuvre. We had plenty of possession, but there seemed a lack of ideas from the formation that the manager Thomas Tuchel put out. Admittedly, many top players were unavailable to him for various reasons, with the biggest miss being Harry Kane. At the start of the game it was a fast and furious pace and one incident saw Jordan Pickford and new captain Marc Guehi hesitant and almost giving a chance to the visitors. England did finally come to grips with the way that Japan play their relentless game and on 12 minutes they nearly took the lead. Ben White's cross was cleared for a corner, one of many we had in the game, and from the kick it was ping pong in the Japan penalty area as no fewer than four shots were blocked in quick succession by the determined defenders.

One of England's faults on the night seem to be their plan to go down the middle instead of using the wings more often. Even when Anthony Gordon or Morgan Rogers did gain possession they tended to cut inside trying to go through the middle. But this was where Japan were so strong and it was easy for them to stifle England's weak attacks. Elliot Anderson was working hard and was always available in the midfield, but unfortunately the team lacked the necessary in the final third of the pitch. Then, in the 23rd minute, Japan took the lead. Cole Palmer was caught in possession by Kaoru Mitoma and the Brighton player moved forward at pace before passing wide to the left to Keito Nakamura. With White way out of position, the winger had a free reign to move forward and put in a low cross to Mitoma, following up, to calmly sidefoot the ball past Pickford. It was a fine goal to be fair and a real lesson for England.

Strangely, after the goal there was a pre-arranged hydration break! Stop laughing, yes it was true, this was a rehearsal for the conditions we will face in America apparently. But in March, on a chilly night, what's that all about? Why would you need to rehearse a hydration break?

Anyway, back to the game, England press forward looking for a way back, but continue to play to the Japanese strength in the middle. A free-kick by Gordon was easily gathered by goalkeeper, Zion Suzuki, who showed impeccable handling for the whole game. Just for a change, instead of this sideways, back, sideways back, mode of passing, it was crying out for an occasional long ball over the top. And as I wrote that in my notes, Pickford's long clearance found Gordon who then teed up Anderson, who hit a curling shot that struck the crossbar. The best England move of the night so far!

Mishit passing, and being continually overpowered by the Japan defenders was another of England failings on the night. And always, there were the lightening breaks by the visiting players that really stretched England's defenders. With three minutes of the half left, one such break saw Ayase Ueda hit a shot against the England crossbar, another scare for the home side. As the half closed Palmer was fouled just outside the box but his usual accuracy with free-kicks this time saw Palmer's effort sail harmlessly wide of the Japan goal. And that was it for the half, with no England shots on target and with Japan comfortably in charge of the game.

With their first attack after the break the Japan side almost added a second goal. Ritsu Doan broke through on the right and his low shot was saved by Pickford's legs as the keeper spread himself low. England on this night were so easy to play against because when a better side exposes the weakness of their Plan A, they don't seem to have a Plan B. That has to change. Each time Japan attacked it looked ominous. Meanwhile, our corners are also poor with White heading wide from the latest one. Despite several substitutions England showed little improvement over the next 25 minutes

On 68 minutes substitute Lewis Hall cuts in from the left and actually forces a save out of the keeper, whilst at the other end, Nakamura cuts inside and only just misses the far post with his shot. It was time for another hydration break! I told you to stop laughing!! More subs followed with Marcus Rashford on for England. So, we bring on an old jalopy, whilst Japan bring on another Suzuki, Juito this time.

You can laugh now if you want to. Actually Rashford was the next player to test the goalkeeper with a good shot being spilled only for Jarrod Bowen, from the rebound, to shoot wide on the turn. The nearest to a goal for us so far. Tuchel then sent on Harry Maguire and Dan Burns to add some extra height and weight and it almost paid off with yet another corner being met with a firm header by Maguire only for the ball to be headed off the line with the goalkeeper, for once, beaten. There was a late urgency about England in the remaining minutes, something that was missing for most of the night. Again there were a succession of corners but what the Japanese players lacked in height they more then made up for with their athleticism and determination to protect their precious lead. With two minutes left the best chance of the night for England fell to Rogers after Burn headed a corner down. Alas, with the goal at his mercy Rogers blazed his shot over the bar from close range. And that was the last chance with Japan thoroughly deserving their memorable victory.

So, we move on to the summer tournament with much to do before we start the group matches. Hopefully we will have good plans A, B, C and the rest in place before we start and there is one other suggestion. Perhaps we could sign D. Trump as a striker? Do you think he would help? Doubt it.
  

Source Notes