Sasaki: We didn't play for a draw

Japan women's football coach Norio Sasaki has dismissed rumours that he told his players not to win their final first-round game of London 2012 as baseless.
　
Japan played a goalless draw with South Africa on Tuesday.
　
Sasaki cleared the air on Friday after his team beat Brazil 2-0 in Cardiff to reach the semi-finals.
　
He said: 'We never set out with the intention for playing for a draw. We never tried to play for a draw from the start.
　
'From the start we were playing for three points. I made a decision based on the way the game was going and with time running out.
　
Sasaki's instructions to his players not to go for a winner against South Africa gave Japan the chance of progressing behind Sweden in Group F.
　
It also ensured the team remained in Cardiff for Friday's quarter-final and did not have to travel to Glasgow.
　
He added: 'None of the players complained. We wanted to stay (in Cardiff).'
　
Football's governing body FIFA found there were insufficient evidence to launch disciplinary action against the Japanese coach based on his post-match comments.
　
Sasaki concluded: 'People might ask whether I should be making a decision like that," he said. "Maybe that is something I should think about.'
Japan will face France in the last four at Wembley on Monday. 　

Aug. 4, 2012.