Japan FA Chief: I Hope Fans Continue To Boo The National Team

The criticism of the fans could have a positive effect - or so the theory goes...

Feb 7, 2010 12:38:00 PM

More On :  Japan
East Asian Football Championship: Shinji Okazaki - Zhao Peng, Japan v China (Getty Images)

The president of the Japan Football Association (JFA) has told fans of the national team that they should continue their boos for the sake of World Cup success.

Following Japan’s goalless draw with China on Saturday in the opening match of the East Asian championships, some supporters at Tokyo’s Ajinomoto Stadium jeered the players as they left the pitch.

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It was the second such stalemate in the space of 72 hours as the 2010 World Cup hopefuls drew 0-0 with Venezuela on Wednesday.

JFA boss Motoaki Inukai, who has a reputation for being outspoken, believes that more catcalls could inspire the team to improve ahead of South Africa where the team will meet Cameroon, Denmark and the Netherlands.

"I want the supporters to boo their hearts out. It's good for the players,” Inukai was quoted as saying by Reuters.

"We have problems -- 180 minutes without a goal," he said. "If we play like that at the World Cup we don't stand a chance."

Japan face China on Thursday and South Korea next Sunday.

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