If a scoreless draw with Singapore in Japan's opening World Cup qualifier in May marked the end of manager Vahid Halilhodzic's honeymoon period, last week's East Asian Cup has had critics wishing for a divorce already.
Japan began the four-team competition in China by throwing away an early lead in a defeat to North Korea before coming from behind to claim draws against both South Korea and the host country. The East Asian Cup's place in the international pecking order meant Halilhodzic was denied his Europe-based players for the tournament, but local media were in no mood for excuses after watching Japan finish last for the first time since the competition began in 2003.
"Halilhodzic kept stressing throughout the tournament that there wasn't enough time to prepare, but the most unprepared person at this tournament was the manager himself," wrote former Japan defender Yutaka Akita in Tuesday's Nikkan Sports. "He was negligent in researching the opponents' strengths and tactics."