I really dislike some of the moves by Sekizuka and still think that while he does make some strategic right calls his team is busting him out. Anyway really hope that Higashi and Nagai will be ok for semi finals, though I somewhat doubt it
Great game for Japan, so many weapons, the defense is still flawless. Egypt tried to play tough(maybe even dirty) football but Japan was too poised and talented. 3-0 in the second round? Thought it was supposed to get harder after group stages haha. Now time to see who emerges vs Mexico and Senegal and rest the players and hope Nagai is back. They dont play till Tuesday, hope that he can get back out there.
Please, I beg you to continue to criticize Sekizuka's moves and strategies like a lot of people did with Okada in WC2010 so Japan will go as far as possible
Just while all of Japan is ready for it to end, Usami really pushing for his goal, probably to seal a place in the starting line-up or some consolation for seeing little time on the pitch. I really hope Nagai is okay, and Higashi, who both made great contributions for Japan U-23. 3-0 JAPAN! well deserved. Yoshida will rub it in Shinji Kagawa face for scoring on his first time @ Old Trafford. lol into the Semi-finals, along with the Women's Nadeshiko Japan!
He was great, he had some big progress in his game. Yes, he was too conservative. Usami could have been sub in at least 20 minutes earlier. And G. Sakai on the left front attack.. what's the sense? You're already one man and one goal up! Anyway, i hope for Senegal.
Coaches IMO get too much credit, either good or bad...the players are the ones out there busting there butt. He does fine, he does it his way...I mean really, nobody could mess up with a squad like this unless you played them in the wrong positions. Hes doing a fine job just as Okada did.
One of the most convincing wins I've ever seen from Japan at an international tournament. Top performance.
Egypt fought REALLY hard, Ramadan and all. But I suspect this team does indeed have what it takes to uphold the tag of 'Platinum Generation': Technically proficient, smart players who know how to put themselves about on the pitch, and a never-say-die attitude. At least on big stages like these anyway. If anything, I think they deserve that tag because they've gone further than the Golden Generation did in the Olympics.
btw, not sure how many people have realized it yet but... technically we're far ahead of Morocco, Egypt and Honduras, lol. I'm talking about the individual technical level of the players. Also, we're doing a good collective work of course
Something people need to realise with all this success and prepare themselves for: Japan has reached the final 4, however this means something else: After Zaccheroni is done with Japan............a top top candidate will now be Takashi Sekizuka.
My only worry is that we haven't been challenged enough yet. We haven't even given up a goal. Someone said they never say die but they haven't been in that kind of situation so far...
Only saw the beginning and end of the match, but i thought Ogihara put in a pretty solid performance. seems like he's the go to guy for set pieces and seems like a natural successor to Endo.