Japan FA Warns Okada Over 'Unacceptable' Performances

Fans in Japan may be none too happy with the recent results and performances of the national team but under-fire coach Takeshi Okada didn’t receive the most unconditional support from his employers and instead got a warning.

A 3-1 defeat at the hands of bitter rivals South Korea in Tokyo send Japan into a third-place finish at the East Asian Championships. That loss followed goalless draws at home to Venezuela and China.

Even before the Korea disaster, Japan had been booed off the pitch against China and the pressure was on Okada, who has repeatedly talked of his target of reaching the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup.

Japan Football Association (JFA) chief Motoaki Inukai was not happy as he talked to the Japanese media.

"These performances will be unacceptable at the World Cup," Inukai said according to Reuters.

"At this stage, I am not intending to replace the coach before the World Cup but we will decide collectively."

Okada has already said that he has no intention of stepping down.

Japan will face the Netherlands, Denmark and Cameroon in South Africa.

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