Game Day Preview: Revolution set to take on Japan

First up for the Revolution in Division 1 pool play will be Japan.  In Saturday’s action the Samurai went 1-1 on the day.  Losing their first game against a young, athletic Nauru side by 23 points, 6.6 (42) to 3.1 (19). Nauru also defeated Fiji setting up a showdown between Japan and Fiji in what turned out to be a dramatic thriller. 

With a spot in Division 1 on the line the game was an entertaining back and forth affair.  Just 1 point separated the teams at halftime with the Samurai in front.  Fiji quickly took a 2 goal lead as the second half started, but the Japanese stuck to their game plan and never backed down.  Their discipline paid off as they found Ikeda late and his 2 goals in the dying minutes led to the impressive win.

In addition to Ikeda, other Samurai the Revolution will have to account for are Nakamura, Sato, Tanaka, Sakaki and Komura.  The last time the 2 countries squared off was at the 2008 International Cup.  The Revolution ran out winners by a score of 14.12 (96) to 2.4 (16). The Samurai have certainly improved since ’08 and will be looking to shock the international footy community much the way the Japanese women’s soccer team shocked the US women in the World Cup Final.  The Revolution of course have other plans.