Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola may have played a role in Japan’s stunning victory over South Africa in the Rugby World Cup.
The minnows were expected to be on the receiving end of a hammering by the Springboks, but they decided to flip the script and shock the world by defeating the third-ranked team in the world 34-32.
Japan bravely turned down a penalty towards the end of to instead go for the win. This and some of their other interesting tactical decisions during the game may have been inspired by one Pep Guardiola.
Japan rugby coach Eddie Jones headed to Munich last year in search of inspiration.
“Rugby and soccer are very similar in that you always want to move the ball into space and Bayern Munich and his previous team Barcelona played the most fantastic passing game you have ever seen. The principles are exactly the same,” Jones told the Mirror.
“He is the best soccer coach in the world and you always want to learn from the best,” said the Australian.
“When you get the chance to learn from the best it’s a fantastic opportunity.”
Jones said that he wanted to make his team “more tactically flexible” and braver which is something that they seemed to achieve in their memorable win over South Africa.
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