It wasn't exactly the kind of welcome home party the Asian Cup-winning Japan team wanted to put on. And manager Philippe Troussier couldn't hide his disappointment -- although he tried.
The facts of the matter were that Japan spent the first 25 minutes of its first game since the Asian Cup getting a roasting from South Korea and then could only manage a 1-1 draw against 10 men after Kim Sang Sik was sent off. Japan couldn't even score from the penalty spot.
"Generally, I am satisfied with today's game," the Frenchman Troussier said. "On the mental side, the team showed its strength and dynamism and most players should be satisfied with how they played."