Japan have provided arguably the most memorable moment of the Women’s Asian Cup – and it wasn’t on the pitch.
Nils Nielsen, the enigmatic coach of Japan, produced an analogy for the ages when asked if his team or the Matildas were favourites ahead of the final on Saturday night in Sydney.
‘We are talking about a final in a major tournament. Both teams can win,’ he began.
‘They (Matildas) have 50 per cent chance of winning… they know our strength precisely, they know our weaknesses.
‘It’s 50-50, why is it even interesting in the final to discuss who are the favourites?
‘I will ask next time I get a chance to see a fly, ‘Why the hell are you sitting on s*** when there’s honey right next to it?’ And then they say, ‘for me, it tastes better’.
Nils Nielsen, the enigmatic coach of Japan, produced an analogy for the ages when asked if his team or the Matildas were favourites ahead of the Asian Cup final on Saturday night in Sydney
Nielsen refused to buy into talk his team are favourites – and felt it was ‘like asking a bee to explain to a fly why honey was better than s*it’
Whether Nielsen likes it or not, Japan are tipped to won after sweeping all before them in the competition.
Japan – 8th on the FIFA rankings – have cruised into the final, scoring 28 goals and conceding just one.
It is in stark contrast to the Tillies, who had to dig deep in knockout stage victories over North Korea and China.
Nielsen added his team lived up to their nickname of Nadeshiko – a pink flower which symbolises Japanese grace, beauty and resilience.
‘I’m extremely proud of the way they work together,’ Nielsen said. ‘It’s not about individuals.
‘We are playing a team sport – we need each other to win things, we need each other to shine.
‘We believe in ourselves. We are still Nadeshiko… it’s a beautiful little flower.’
Meanwhile, Leah Blayney might be the only former Matildas player hoping to see Japan beat Australia in the final.
Former Matildas star Leah Blayney (pictured left) is the assistant coach of Japan
Head coach Nils Nielsen has clearly been impressed with Blayney’s work ethic, stating ‘no matter what the future brings for her, she is going to shine’
And if she gets her way at Accor Stadium on Saturday night, Blayney hopes success could be just the beginning of a coaching journey filled with silverware that helps re-establish Japan as a powerhouse of women’s football.
Blayney – a 16-cap Australian international – has had a front-row seat to Japan’s near-faultless Asian Cup campaign, where she works as an assistant to Nielsen.
‘It’s been phenomenal, Nils is an exceptional operator,’ Blayney said.
‘I’m a former Matilda, but I don’t think you ever stop being one. I grew up playing and then coaching in our junior national teams.
‘It (the Japan job) was just a good opportunity for me to get out there and grow and experience something new, and then hopefully I can bring that back to Australia at some point for sure.’
Blayney has spent the past year based in England, where she acts as a sounding board between Japan’s players in the Women’s Super League and Nielsen’s senior set-up.
‘A lot of the development outside of international windows goes into the girls, so the stronger relationships we have the better, and we are seeing the fruits of that at this tournament,’ she added.
Nielsen has clearly been impressed with Blayney’s work ethic, stating ‘no matter what the future brings for her, she is going to shine’.
‘She goes about things in a very analytical way. I’m perhaps a bit more emotional and follow my instincts,’ he said.
‘Leah is right here (in my heart), and she will always be here.’
Kick-off is 8pm AEDT, with live coverage on Channel 10 and Paramount +.
