Japan 2 Belgium 2
Suzuki 59, Inamoto 69; Wilmots 57, Van der Heyden 75

There is a big disadvantage in being Belgian; monotony. Monotony of hair. While those of Japanese origin are blessed with a multitide of hues and textures on the tops of their heads - Belgians are all the same. Short, brown and boring! Being Japanese means that God might grant you a flaming red "Elvis", fawn spikes or a shaggy orange Shetland pony look. An 11-piece boy band!!!!

The game was great fun too. Though the 1st half was not exactly earth shattering, the 2nd half was very entertaining - the Japanese, seemingly losing their anxiety. Belgium led for only 2 minutes, after Wilmots scored with a wonderfully exercised overhead kick - but then, through very bad defensive mistakes, the Belgians lost their lead with a goal from the, splendidly named, Suzuki. When Arsenal's Inamoto scored Japan's second goal, the fans went wild. Wasn't to be though as Van der Heyden equalised on 75 minutes. Both Japan and Belgium were hard done by in the closing minutes. Inamoto scored a seemingly good second goal which was ruled out for a foul or something - and Belgium should've been given a penalty, but the ref chickened out.

I remember, many years ago, sitting in a cafe in Cologne, enjoying a cup of coffee. The woman on the opposite table introduced herself. "I am not a German; I am a Belgian". She said that with such pride, that I am certain she wasn't a football fan!! Yeesh, they are grim stuff! The Japanese, on the other hand, are wonderful to watch - good luck to them!!

Japan: Narazaki, Matsuda, Morioka (Miyamoto 72), Koji Nakata, Inamoto, Hidetoshi Nakata, Ono (Alex 64), Toda, Ichikawa, Suzuki (Morishima 70), Yanagisawa.

Booked: Toda, Inamoto.

Belgium: de Vlieger, Van Meir, Simons, Peeters, Van Der Heyden, Van Buyten, Walem (Sonck 70), Verheyen (Strupar 83), Vanderhaeghe, Goor, Wilmots.

Goals: Wilmots 57, Van Der Heyden 75. Att: 55,256

Referee: W Mattus Vega (Costa Rica).

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