http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20130204-00093028-soccerk-socc Mike out with an injury. No replacement will be called up.
Would personally pick Maeda infront of Mike any day at least for now. Why the hack did you have to go to Southampton Lee...
A stupid question: if this will be the starting team for Brazil 2014 what will be, at june 2014, the average age on the field for Japan?
nobody knows that straight off the top of their head so if anybody was to answer they'd have to do the work that you may as well do.
To echo what others have said, the degree of consistency among Zac's squads really is amazing/scary. If you compare the starting squad from the Asian Cup final two years to the probable starting eleven on Wednesday, 10/11 slots will likely be the same, the exception being Jungo Fujimoto who started on the wings in place of an injured Kagawa. The JNT has definitely gotten good post-World Cup, but not so good that Zac shouldn't more aggressively experiment. I feel like there may be one or two hidden gems that have gone uncovered due to Zac's conservatism.
shouldn't someone start a Japan vs Latvia match thread by now? game is tomorrow? So are the overseas squad members there yet? I read about Mike, but I don't mind too much. I rather prefer Maeda in front.
Anyway, two things come to my mind watching Xerox Supercup: a) why Aoyama isn't on JNT? He's the perfect replacement for Endo. b) Sato must be on squad. Even as reserve, he's too talented; i don't care if he'll be 32 in 2014, he's a ********ing boss.
Who do we have in the fold at leftback now that nagatomo is gone(besides Komano). I know Makino can play lb but are there Any other capable LBs that are proven? Doctors say nagatomo is out for the 2013 calendar year, maybe longer. So we have time to experiment.
We have a bazillion quality right backs. Left backs, not so much. After komano, there is a steep drop off in quality.
Gotuko Sakai proved during his appearances with the NT that he is a potent alternative. So don't worry
I expect a call for Kudo or Toyoda. I like Tosu's striker more than Kashiwa's one, but they're both deserving attention.
I would say dont expect too much. Perhaps after they have qualified. I would love to see some new options in the ST position being tried out. I would love to see them trying out some central midfielders as well I would love to see him try out someone next to Yoshida And then if mid season some players are in really good form, I would expect him to give them a chance as well just to create a competition and let everybody know that their place in NT is not a given. As far as I am concerned ST spot is far from 100% in fact it is up for the grabbing. MC spot, I would absolutely love to see some options being tried out, like Gaku Shibasaki or for all I care give some playing time to Hideto if he is called up all the time And I Daisuke Suzuki in defense but somewhat I think MC and DC wont change much but as far as forward position goes that one should be given for a trial to several guys
most important for Zac Japan is to qualify, so while he may experiment with Canada, but for sure, he would need to go all out against Jordan, his best available starting XI. the next qualifers match is June 4, against Australia at home, If things didn't go their way against Jordan, they wouldn't take this one easy as well.
Whatever happens, I hope Japan goes at Australia with full force when the Aussies travel.. I don't care about the other games, but this one is very important to keep Iraq alive in the race for second spot.. What do you think?
If they're qualified they probably won't play at full pace. Not cause they won't want to or anything, but cause they won't have anything to really play for so there won't be the sense or urgency. So for example winning in priority no longer is above something like escaping injury, so players may not put their asses on the line as much. Whereas Australia then will still be playing for qualification at this point. I expect a full strength lineup but not a top quality performance, though I'd love to be wrong. I hope their desire to beat Australia again will get them motivated enough. I don't know what the result would be and I'd rather Japan play full force but I'm not expecting it. The way Japan played immediately after qualifying the 3rd round is testament to this.
Maybe let Kagawa come back to Manchester and use Inui and/or Kiyotake and try some new but really interesting options on defence, midfields and attack. It will be not a "full force" as you meant but maybe a surprising dynamic force useful to beat the aussie's ass more than the 1st team that's a bit overwhelmed of old geezers.