Culture clash spelt shock end for Japan women's first foreign coach

Greenlander Nielsen took a rampant Japan to their third Asian title in four tournaments, beating Australia 1-0 in the final in Sydney on March 21. The 54-year-old -- the first foreign coach of the Japan women's team -- was unceremoniously dumped less than two weeks later. The Japan Football Association said Thursday that his contract had expired and they had not offered him a new one. Women's national team director Norio Sasaki argued that Japan could not win next year's World Cup if Nielsen remained in charge...