Official 2011 Nadeshiko Japan Thread [R] - part III

Discussion in 'Japan' started by blissett, Aug 28, 2011.

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  1. blissett

    blissett Member+

    Aug 20, 2011
    Italy
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    I'll try to be brief, although there is so much to say about anyone. :p

    Kaihori 8 - she looked a little shaky at unsure at times during the first games, but she grew safer and safer until the glorious penalty shootout; she saved some goals but she also made some mistakes. She's the future but can become better (and I hope she knows).

    Kinga 7,5 - a constant push at the right wing, although overall she could've been more accurate both in her defensive placement and in her shoots; I am maybe too stern, because she's part of an impressive defensive block that I greatly admired and I guess she has to remain a permanent fixture of that block, but she was far from perfect.

    Iwashimizu 8 - in my opinion she's the real pillar of the defense: always calm and knowing what has to be done, mostly well-placed, never panicking, fair and seldom faulty, but never shunning from physical contact (I remember her getting a kick in the face during the New Zealand match and hardly blinking). I guess the famous Morgan's knockdown, during the last minute of extra-time in the final, somehow costed dearly to a correct player like her, but it had to be done and she did it. I also liked the way she peacefully accepted the obvious aftermath when she was sent out.

    Kumagai 7,5 - I am torn. I'd like to rate her higher, because of a million precious defensive actions (Germany and USA matches come to mind), where she also took advantage of her physical strength and height (not really compared to other team's players, but to her playmates: that's also one of the reason she's irreplacebale; Japan needs some phsycal presence anyway). I can't forget some slip-ups, though, that sometimes put Nadeshiko Japan in great danger. Let's face it: if we see her make mistakes it's because she plays every action, is always on her woman, has to mark the most dangerous opponents (I mean: ask somebody how easy can be marking Wambach); if she makes mistakes it's also because she plays a lot and she's always there where the game is. So I forgive her for her oversights, but I also state that she can get better at something (alertness, accuracy): she's still very young, she can do it. As an aside: I don't think she's very guilty for the final's goals: she tried her best with Morgan, but the American forward was too fast and found a very good timing for the shot; during the action of Wambach's goal, she had anticipated her with a header just an half-minute before and had kept controlling her: then she lost her for a second, she slipped when she had to impact the cross, and the goal was done, but I guess Wambach's coolness and merit were bigger than Saki's fault. In the overall rating of Saki's WWC, I guess the single moment of the final penalty can't be ignored: a great mental strength it's needed when you have to kick the deciding penalty with 120.000.000 japanese people sitting on your shoulders.

    Sameshima 7,5 - she didn't really "shine" (except maybe when her long-distance shot brought to Sawa's goal against Sweden), but she did a lot of work on the left wing, especially supporting the offensive game with runs and crosses. She was quite good at defending also, although it wasn't her original position in the past. All in all she was quite accurate, hard-fighting, well-playing, but she missed being really "brilliant". As an aside: I find quite hilarious her unmistakable standing position, with feet and knees looking inwards and her bum turned a little upwards. :D

    Sakaguchi 8 - I guess Mizuho is the unsung hero of this WWC. With her tackles and her balls salvaging, she played a key role in Nadeshiko's midfield, as the only real defensive midfielder in a team full of classy players. She fought and fought, humbly but strongly: if there was any other Italian, like me, in the forum, I'd mention "una vita da mediano" ("a centre half life"), a song dedicated to the obscure efforts of italian midfielder Gabriele Oriali, World champion with Italy in 1982...

    Sawa 10 - sorry, but this is due. It shouldn't even be discussed. She runs, she cuts the field in half with dream-assists, she scores like a champion, she creates like a divine star and defends like the most humble and tenacious player. She's everywhere in the pitch and she plays every role. But, if that's not enough, she's a real captain: never giving up, always inspiring her playmates, literally carrying a team to a World's Cup's win. I could still write volumes about her and what she did in this WWC, but it's not needed: i'll just mention that a goal like the Japan-USA equalizer is something I never ever saw before in a World's Cup final (and I didn't see often anything alike anyway) and I guess it would be worth a 10 rating alone.

    Miyama 9,5 - another player Japan can't do without. Her Majesty the Queen of corners, free kicks, penalties, crosses and finesse shots. Her harmony with Sawa is a match made in heaven, they could play together blindfolded and still score lots of goals, knowing by heart where the other one is. Beyond that, she's a warrior, she never gives up, and she's quick, cold-blooded and lethal like a snake, but with a lot more technique (I mean, if you think the goal in the final was just made by the american defenders' slip-up, try that shot with the outside of your foot while you're running).
    I also find incredible how she could think about respecting and soothing her opponents before celebrating (a sign that her way to celebrate her penalty wasn't for sure meant to be a mockery: it was just the gesture of a funny and amusing person like she is). What a great player, what a great woman.

    Kawasumi 7 - a great match against Sweden, she showed she was ready when needed and that's not an easy task for a substitute in a big tournament: you could happen to never play a minute, but you have to always be ready to play your best match if it's required from you. Nahomi was obviously ready. As it's been said, the final wasn't equally brilliant, so, although her contribution to the campaign was big in the semi-final, I guess she can't really be rated higher than that, given that she played so few games.

    Ando 7 - maybe the rating is generous. I guess she's a better player than we saw at WWC, where she was a little lackluster. She wasn't bad, her contribution to the fast-passing play of Japan was important, but she never really stood and I guess she was rightfully substituted in the final match. I'll throw a joke: we'll maybe remember her in this WWC more for the Kozukozu nickname, than for her real playing. :D

    Ohno 7 - I hate rating her so low, beacuse she's a fast, technical, great player, but I feel that, after a wonderful start with New Zealand (great assist to Nagasato) and Mexico (what a goal, what a goal! Four mexican defenders are probably still wondering what happened), she slowly died down, until, in the final, Norio ran out of faith and was quite forced to substitute her.

    Nagasato 7 - she deserves it for her early goal and for her resolve in the action that brought to Miyama's goal in the final, but there is no doubt she was the biggest disappointment of Nadeshiko Japan in this World campaign. Insubstantial, out of aim in shots, she was deservedly benched against Sweden and USA, and her lazy-looking mistake in the penalty shootout risked bringing the american players back in the match, despite their mental breakdown.

    Maruyama 7,5 - another woman from the bench who proved to be ready when needed. She earns an half more than Kawasumi in my book, because her beautiful goal was an unexpected decider and because I was impressed by her resolve, by the way she aggressively fought for every ball, also in the final. A never-give-up spirit that helped a lot: you can't exploit a Buehler's and Krieger's mistake if you don't press them and you don't make it happen.

    Iwabuchi 7 - in the few minutes she played in 3 or 4 matches, she always looked promising (she even classily and stubbornly conquered the free kick that Miyama turned into a goal against New Zealand), but she never really looked well tied into Nadeshiko Japan's overall play and she sometimes looked even a little immature for the big stage. Let's be clear: she's going to be a champion, she is a champion already as she showed at younger levels of play. But she didn't boomed yet at the senior National Team level. We all hope she'll do at London 2012 qualifiers and, hopefully, at London Olympics.

    Utsugi, Kamionobe, Tanaka and Takase played too few minutes to be rated, Yano, Yamago and Fukumoto didn't play at all. It's been said, although, that some of these players were important for the support they gave to the group (I distinctly remember, for instance, Kaihori thanking the other two goalkeepers for their support)

    Sasaki 9,5 - What I liked best about Norio was the sense of humanity that he showed. For sure i don't mean to bash on his tactical and technical skills (I'll make clear later that I find them extraordinary), but I guess his best feature is the relationship he built with his players (some of them were with him since the Under 20): he stressed the importance of knowing his own players one by one, to know exactly what anyone can give (and how and when), and he knew how to be be stern and serious or smiling and encouraging, or even joking, depending on the circumstances. He turned on its heels the cliché of the harsh and workhaolic asian coach, always tormenting the athletes, and chose a "fatherly" model, that paid in gold. I mean, when I saw the japanese players relaxed, laughing and smiling around him before the penalty shootout, while the american players were devoured by tension, I somehow knew Japan had already won. And, although he managed to keep his players calm and serene, he also made them give their all, by suggestingly evoking the disasters that hit back home. And, while doing so, he managed to give his players a sense of responsability without frightening them at the same time. He used tactics, yes, but he used psychology over all. I guess he and Sawa were the real guides of this team.
    After I said that, I can't help but add that I liked Sasaki's style of play: a solid, immovible defense, with two centers and two lateral defenders doubling as offensive wings, a midfield with a web of quick passes on the ground level, working on technique and capitalizing on his players strong points. He quite always chose the right starting team and knew how to change when he didn't. Well, ok, when you put Maruyama in and she scores the decider or when you start with Kawasumi and she scores two goals, there's also some luck involved, but his choices were always rational and he knew exactly how long he could put his trust in someone and when he had to stop. I liked his performance overall and I have faith that he'll keep his players with their feet on the ground for the qualifier tournament, because he knows how difficult it is and because he has great psychological skills.

    Phew!!! And I said I wanted to be brief! Well, at least let me know what you think about what I said! Let's discuss!!! ^__^

    Or, if I just annoyed you, just plain tell me it! :p
     
    1 person likes this.
  2. nsato

    nsato Member

    Oct 11, 2009
    Re: Official 2011 Nadeshiko Japan Thread [R] - part II

    Kaihori 8: Improved as the tournament went on. Was there when she was needed the most.

    Kinga 6.5: I kept hearing/reading our left side was our weakness in the back but I always thought it was our right. The only player who didn't look too comfortable going forward although to be fair to her, defending always comes first for outside backs.

    Iwashimizu 7.5: Struggled in the final but solid throughout the tournament and always played the ball out of the back which helped Japan going forward.

    Kumagai 8: Our weakness in the air was taken care of by her and Kaihori. Best defensive performance of the tournament came from her vs Germany. Only 20 yrs old but composure and confidence of a 28 yr old.

    Sameshima 7.5: Don't really have much to say about her(I mean that in a good way). Consistent as it can get, positions well in the back and more than adequate going forward.

    Sakaguchi 9: Always available to receive the ball from the back 4, she was just as comfortable getting stuck in as she was knocking the ball around. Made everyone else's job easier.

    Sawa 10

    Miyama 9: Her set piece is so vital to this team. Equally comfortable with both feet, she was the one dictating the pace of the game. The only player in the women's game who can play at walking pace.

    Kawasumi 7: Fantastic against Sweden and much better than the other 2 attackers in the Final.

    Ando 6: Thought she was just going through the motion.

    Ohno 6.5: Seems a lovely player but got worse as the tournament went on.

    Nagasato 6: Probably the most frustrating player to watch on the team.

    Maruyama 7.5: How on earth is she not starting for her club? She's always involved in the game when she's on.

    Iwabuchi 7: I know she's only 18 but was disappointing besides that one run. I would have gave her a 6 if it wasn't for her block(how important was that) in the last minute of extra time.

    Sasaki 10: From the preparation, to tactics, to substitution, to interviews, absolutely spot on. Just as important as Sawa.
     
  3. mumf

    mumf Member+

    Nov 7, 2008
    Re: Official 2011 Nadeshiko Japan Thread [R] - part II

    Kaihori 6.0: Not popular, I know. But she was awful earlier, at fault for all of the goals incurred during the group stage. And she did not make really athletic saves, just a couple of leaps against the USA. She did "win" the PK shoot-out though, with some USA help. But technically, she is barely OK in terms of international standards, unable on a cross to decide whether to go for it or stay on her line. Still lots to learn. SORRY !

    Kinga 7.0: It turned out that her side of the field "leaked" in DF more than the Shark's side. Poor defending leading to the Wambach goal, and early in the final she could not pass the ball at all. On the other hand, her late adventure into the USA PK box almost led to a goal for herself, and did lead to that famous CK instead. Really she is a great utility player, good in the air, an extra MF, sometimes an extra FW.

    Iwashimizu 8.0: The cornerstone of a great DF, line. Did not deal well with the Swedish FW when Sawa sent that bad back-pass. But for this mistake and a few others, Japan could have had a lot of clean-sheets. It was she who chipped to Iwabuchi in MF leading to the goal v Germany.

    Kumagai 8.0: Appeared to underestimate the danger when Alex Morgan raced to that long ball. But a great DF performance in all the other games, she is improving too.

    Sameshima 7.5: The big surprise to me - she was not really a weakness at all. One point - she failed to even attempt to cut out that New Zealand cross, showing that she does not yet have DF instincts. Just a great footballer.

    Sakaguchi 8.5: A great MF player. While she was out injured (ACL) last year, i wondered here if we would see her again. Especially good against Germany. Once Sawa retires, she will have an even bigger role.

    Sawa 10.0: Just the greatest.

    Miyama 9.5: The greatest, except for Sawa. A player who asks herself "how can I make this team win?" I think she asks herself every day!

    Kawasumi 6.5: I am not sure she is really up to the standard of the team yet. I don't agree about her being very good in the final. On the first goal, she actually stops running and stays outside the PK box - odd for a FW when a team is a goal down. Of course she scored the most beauiful goal....

    Ando 7.0: She did not score, and fluffed the few chances she had. But the job of FWs on this team often seems to be one of holding the ball until the MFs join the battle. When she went back to MF at times, she was quite good with her tackling and ball distribution. I wonder if she and Ohno should switch places again?

    Ohno 8.0: I thought she was brilliant most of the time - the goal against Mexico was fantastic, technically the best in the tournament. Very aggressive going forward, remember her part leading to the first goal against Sweden ? Made some great passes leading to the first goal against New Zealand, and leading to many chances that Yuki and Kozue did not take. I do not understand why she was subbed out of the final. I would give her slightly higher marks but I guess her fitness can let her down.

    Nagasato 6.0: The only player to lose her place. I remember in the final when she was put through, a chance like the goal she scored in the German Cup final, and a bit like Maruyama's goal - she did not even shoot! Her head was down most of the time. Still she scored one goal, made 1 or 2 assists.

    Maruyama 7.0: I don't think she is a great player, and obviously her fitness is the worst - her own club will not start her. But somehow she found a way to do some serious damage !

    Iwabuchi 7.5: A small but brilliant contribution. Not just leading to the Miyama FK, but involved leading to the final goal v Mexico. Would she have done more without the injury?

    Sasaki 9.0: I dont understand the substitution(s) of Ohno, but otherwise his choice of a new formation, with Sakaguchi as a defensive MF and Sameshima as left-back, was a large contribution.
     
  4. blissett

    blissett Member+

    Aug 20, 2011
    Italy
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    Re: Official 2011 Nadeshiko Japan Thread [R] - part II

    Maybe, thinking about it after a pair of days, I'd change some rating around, like an half-grade more to Kumagai and Sakaguchi and an half-grade less to Ando and Nagasato, but overall I stand to my judgment calls.

    Apparently, they just arrived in China two days ago. *cringe* -_-'

    Some pics: (http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/homare+sawa)
    (by the way, is it possible to attach just pics? I can't seem to do it)

    Luckily, it seems they're trying to not underestimate any opponent and they seem to have the right approach to the tournament, at least judging by these wise Sawa's words:
    http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201108220283.html

    I am frightened anyway.
     
  5. unepomme

    unepomme Member+

    Jan 21, 2010
    Club:
    Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC
    Re: Official 2011 Nadeshiko Japan Thread [R] - part II

    Edit from Kawasumi's blog:

    In the training ground in China, I went to toilet before the training.
    There were about 20 rooms and didn't look so dirty.

    When I opened the door, I found out it was a Japanese style toilet, but it was natural here.

    And then I found there were no papers, so I called our staff to get tissues.
    I thought I could do it at last, but I couldn't shut the key, no, in the first place no keys on it.

    'Well, no one is here except our staff', thinking, finished and flushed, then I heard a big bang from behind. Another door fell down.

    Finally I couldn't wash my hands because no water was running.
     
  6. blissett

    blissett Member+

    Aug 20, 2011
    Italy
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    Re: Official 2011 Nadeshiko Japan Thread [R] - part II

    To relive history, just before history starts again... :)

    I found a nice slideshow about all the World's Cup campaign, with pictures both from the pitch and from locker-rooms/training sessions, some of them unseen before (at least by me).

    For instance, I had always wondered who exactly Sakaguchi was running towards, after her penalty, in the final shootout, when she seemed to hesitate for a moment, than shook up and finally started running, her arms wide open, towards someone who had obviously asked her for. TV images didn't help to solve this mistery: it's now solved at 9'58" of this video. ^__^ It also seems like someone else, except Sawa, jumped on Norio's lap during celebrations (10':51").
    All in all a fun video with lots of interesting shots; only plaint: they messed around with penalties' order in editing, putting shots from Sakaguchi's one before ones from Heath's one (the right order was Heath, Sakaguchi, Wambach, Kumagai).

    As an aside: you can only catch a glimpse of her in the airport's pics, but I could watch her very well in another previous video: did you notice how sexy Rumi Utsugi is with glasses? :D

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecQoBy_tQGk"]?Nadeshiko Japan? Women's World Cup 2011 Slideshow - YouTube[/ame]
     
  7. mumf

    mumf Member+

    Nov 7, 2008
    Re: Official 2011 Nadeshiko Japan Thread [R] - part II

    UnePomme - can you provide a link please ? I wonder if she is more interesting than Yuki, who I never check on any more. Yuki did not even mention her marriage, and barely mentioned the World Cup, or at least failed to tell any background stories.

    Do you think this is deliberate China tactics ? (the bathrooms ?)


    Also, everyone, please rate the players ! Just scores, if you do not want to explain them.
     
  8. unepomme

    unepomme Member+

    Jan 21, 2010
    Club:
    Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC
    Re: Official 2011 Nadeshiko Japan Thread [R] - part II

    Here it is:
    http://pure-city.jp/nahomi/

    I don't think it's China tactics. Maybe it's a China standard.
    But I read that the training ground was for golf.

    I don't know Yuki in person, but it's certain that she loses her popularity thanks to her sulky look, while Kawasumi becomes popular for her smile.
     
  9. Micol

    Micol Member+

    Sep 16, 2008
    Re: Official 2011 Nadeshiko Japan Thread [R] - part II

    That would be such a shame. When you describe Yuki like that, Potsdam fans will have no idea who you're talking about; they know her only in good spirits and smiling. :confused: I hope this tournament will work out better for her than the last.
     
  10. blissett

    blissett Member+

    Aug 20, 2011
    Italy
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    Re: Official 2011 Nadeshiko Japan Thread [R] - part II

    Very interesting blog, lots of nice pics, especially of INAC Kobe Leonessa playmates (i guess the more photographed one is Tanaka?)

    I had people I know travel in China, and i dare to say this is not only China standard, but a little above... :p
    That's why Kawasumi was quite surprised that at least the bathroom didn't look dirty. Chinese government tried to change this, because of the image it gives to strangers, but China still is a quite "dirty" country, with hygienic standards lower (or, anyway, different) from most "western" countries.

    All that being said, there is no doubt China will try to make things as difficult as possible for Japan, not only on the pitch, but everywhere. The historic bitter rivalry between the two countries is known, the fact that Japan is World champion and China couldn't even qualify to the last World's Cup has surely added to that. Chinese president of AFC even had to reluctantly praise Japanese win, in the name of all Asia! I dare to say that Chinese players will fight even more to eliminate Japan than to qualify themselves (so look out for last match, even if China was then eliminated already).

    Well, let's see it this way: Yuki just married, doesn't need anymore to smile to find a man; Nahomi said she's still in search... :D
    (Joking!)

    I am sorry, it seems the slideshow I put in my last massage became a private video and it's not yet visible... :(
    For all the ones who didn't manage to watch it, the person Sakaguchi was running towards was Miyama (you could see her open her arms to welcome Mizuho and then there were two other photos of these two players while warmly embracing). The other player who jumped on Norio's lap during the celebrations was also Miyama.

    I can't believe that first match of qualifiers starts tomorrow! :eek:
    And I still have no idea if and how I'll watch it!!!!!

    Edit: Nadeshiko Japan thread reached the III status. Wow! ^__^
     
  11. unepomme

    unepomme Member+

    Jan 21, 2010
    Club:
    Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC
    Re: Official 2011 Nadeshiko Japan Thread [R] - part II

    I'm glad to hear that.
    I think she failed to deal with her own frustration well in the WC.
    She may be somewhat socially awkward (at least in Japan), so she might be easily misunderstood.

    By the way, I read that she and Kawasumi will be starting as FW at the tomorrow game against Thai, and Utsugi, Tanaka, Yano and Kamionobe too.
     
  12. blissett

    blissett Member+

    Aug 20, 2011
    Italy
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    Now, I know this is not a "gossip" forum, it's a football/soccer one (the name depending if you're USA based or rest of the world ^__^). But I wanted to share my thoughts about a certain subject anyway...

    Consider I am mainly joking, don't take me too much seriously. *blinks*

    Do you remeber the Kumagai twitter-affair? I guess so. I know most of those leaks were denied as overstatement or even pure inventions of the guy who was with Saki that night in Frankfurt (or as unintentional misunderstandings, since Saki was obviously drunk or half-drunk at the time). In particular it was said that it was totally fake that Saki had topless pictures of Karina Maruyama on her cell-phone.

    Well, I am dead sure this rumour was fake, but I can't help but noticing there could be a tighter friendship than we think between Saki and Karina. Mind, not saying they're someway involved, just saying they're good friends.
    Look who's the one Karina looks for, after the Japan-Germany match, to warmly embrace her for no particualr reason, while whispering in her ear (7':13" of this old video) ^___^
    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiCMsx5tM0I&feature=player_embedded"]???????? ????????? 0716 - YouTube[/ame]

    And look who's the one Karina is cozily sharing her umbrella with, in China ^___^

    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]

    Also: during the twitter affair it was said Saki was complaining for the extreme hierarchy in the team. Who was she talking about? Obviously not herself, because, as a young player from U-20, she climbed to first string status quite rapidly and she had raised so much in Norio's esteem, that she got to play every minute of every match at the WWC, even if slightly injured (remember the head-bandage with New Zealand?). So maybe was she talking about her good friend Karina, who didn't seem to earn a first string place, no matter how good she played? ^____^

    Just thoughts, mid-joking... :p
     
  13. sc-f

    sc-f Member+

    May 23, 2009
    Club:
    SC Freiburg
    Nat'l Team:
    Japan
    It was in Japan. And it was a friend of hers who persuaded her to participate at this "konpa" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konpa) with herself, Kumagai and those 2 morons. I think everything what could have been proved wrong was proved wrong, and the rest was denied. Story's over, at least in Japan.
     
  14. blissett

    blissett Member+

    Aug 20, 2011
    Italy
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    Oh, ok... Sorry if it sounded like a goof. ^__^

    Suppose it was just an excuse to show the pretty umbrella pics. :D
     
  15. sc-f

    sc-f Member+

    May 23, 2009
    Club:
    SC Freiburg
    Nat'l Team:
    Japan
    No need to be sorry :)
    It's only it has been talked about a lot but it has also to be seen that these girls were just unknown normal people only a few weeks before. Kumagai's just 20 and like all the other Nadeshiko-players just starts to learn how to handle the media.
     
  16. blissett

    blissett Member+

    Aug 20, 2011
    Italy
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    I agree, 'twas just a joke. :D

    Also I am happy no-one in Japan remembers about that story and I hope soon Kumagai, when she's back from China, can be seen in TV shows like other playmates (oh, wait, she'll probably have to be back in Germany right away to keep playing in the Bundesliga. Oh, well...)

    Seriously: it's august the 31st and I am still not sure how to watch tomorrow's match. I've been on NHK japanese site, but, if I understood well the shaky google-translator version, it says they'll broadcast Japan-Thailand, but people outside Japan are not allowed to watch streaming-video of the game on NHK site. Am I right? Some japanese friend can confirm?

    No-one has any clue about how an Europe-based guy has any chance to watch the game? (-----> looking at you, Micol :confused:)
     
  17. blissett

    blissett Member+

    Aug 20, 2011
    Italy
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
  18. GunnerTNB

    GunnerTNB Member+

    Apr 4, 2011
    São Paulo
    Club:
    Botafogo Rio Janeiro
    Kaihori - 7.0
    Kinga - 7.0
    Iwashimizu - 8.0
    Kumagai - 8.5
    Sameshima - 7.5
    Sakaguchi - 9.0
    Sawa - 9.5
    Miyama - 9.5
    Kawasumi - 7.0
    Ando - 6.0
    Ohno - 6.5
    Nagasato - 5.5
    Maruyama - 7.0
    Iwabuchi - 7.0
    Sasaki - 10.0
     
  19. Micol

    Micol Member+

    Sep 16, 2008
    That link points to a men's match in Japan, though. Are the women in China affected too?

    Just to confirm that Kumagai is known by German women's football fans for her World Cup penalty, and people expect great things from her in the Frankfurt defense, but everything else is old news (for the few who knew about it in the first place). So let's just leave it and let it gather dust.

    And no, I haven't found any way of watching the matches yet either. :(
     
  20. blissett

    blissett Member+

    Aug 20, 2011
    Italy
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    Mostly agree with these ratings (similar to mine in many ways: it's worth noting that the only rating everyone seems to agree with is: Sameshima 7.5). I see I were wrong when I said Sakaguchi was criminally underrated, cause everyone gave her the high marks that she deserves: so why did so few people ever mention her in the forums? :confused:

    I don't agree about Sawa 9.5 vs. Sasaki 10 (I rated the other way around). I don't want to say that Sawa was always perfect in all 6 games, but my reasoning is: I guess this kind of Sawa could have carried the team to a win maybe even without a Sasaki on the bench; I am not sure instead that Sasaki could have made it without a world-beater like Sawa in the team.
    We're talking about two absolute geniuses and about a 0.5 of grade, both Homare and Norio were absolutely vital to the final victory, but I guess Sawa's performance was some decimals more influential than Sasaki's.
     
  21. blissett

    blissett Member+

    Aug 20, 2011
    Italy
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    Oh, sorry: I had googled "Nadeshiko Japan" and I assumed they were talking about them. No, I hope women in China won't be affected.

    Ok, you all right. Bad joke from my part. It's just that Karina and Saki looked so tender in those umbrella pics that I somehow had to make up everything. :p
    Mind that Saki is one of my favourite Nadeshiko Japan's players (top 3 status for sure), so I am happy that everyone in Germany and Japan loves her and that she totally left that incident behind her back.

    Siiiiiiigh. :( I guess i'll try some site-zapping tomorrow, but I am afraid it will be hard.
    I am wondering if I know anyone with a satellite television broadcasting NHK programs, but the sad answer to myself is always: "no".
     
  22. blissett

    blissett Member+

    Aug 20, 2011
    Italy
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    Will some of Japanese friends on the forum watch the match on TV tomorrow?
    Is it asking too much if I beg some of you to keep your PC on and drop here some info about how the game is going (at least the goals)?

    If (as I fear) I'll have no way to watch the game myself, I hope at least I'll get some highlights soon after... :(
     
  23. mumf

    mumf Member+

    Nov 7, 2008
    Thanks for the laughs. You are making some wild leaps of the imagination. Even of the topless photos are real, I think this is what happens in womens' changing rooms. The umbrella photos are nice too, and that's what happens when women shop in the rain.
     
  24. mumf

    mumf Member+

    Nov 7, 2008
    I agree about Sawa, it was so extraordinary the way she played everywhere. I dont remember a performance like that, male or female. I also agree with the poster (forget who it was) who gave Miyama equal marks. In her case, its just brains. Sasako is a 9.0 ok, but I still want to know, why did he take Ohno off in the final ? Anyone ?

    As for Sakaguchi, I NEVER under-rated her. She disappeared in mid-2009 and no-one knew why. Months later, by chance (google I think) I found out she had actually played here, for a USA team, but not a WPS league team, called FC Indiana. Just imagine, no WPS team would take her! Just her fourth game, she was seriously injured (knee/ACL) which of course meant she went home "crocked". Only late last year Albirex took a chance on her (I think she used to be a Perrule player, or maybe TepCo) and I think that Sasaki did not choose her until the Algarve tournament (March). We are so glad !!!

    (EDIT - by the way, a correction to an even earlier post....you said that Kawasumi was officially MVP in the semi-final - in fact I believe it was Miyama)
     
  25. mumf

    mumf Member+

    Nov 7, 2008
    Well what a shock, after so many years, the famous forum myp2p.eu has been shut down. Believe me, except for them I would never know that Nadeshiko Japan exists. And fortunately it did not happen before the World Cup.

    After searching the web, I find these sites which do list the Thailand game:

    http://www.freefootball.eu/upcoming.php

    http://www.lshunter.tv/football-live-streaming-video.html

    They are likely to provide links one hour before the game. You may have to download software. For the 2nd link, you have to join, but it seems to be free too.

    Will it work ? Previously, during the World Cup for example, about 1/4 of the links worked. So it depends on how many links they get. I think China is a pretty good source, so .....maybe. Good luck, I cannot see the first game anyway, it will be around 4am for me, just impossible. Maybe on Saturday.
     

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