The 2010 (+Jan '11) season is over - Otsukare, and thanks to you all, friends on BigSoccer Japan board! Here's a thread to leave your last thought about this unbelievable season.
This is the first year I follow JNT that close and join to discuss on this forum. Very happy it is a good year for JNT too. My thought : JNT's just lacking a good CF to become a top 20 team in the world.
Where does FIFA have them in their "scientific" "objective" "rankings"? Elo has them at #14 even before winning the final. Here's to J League 2011
The most dramatic year of the decade, especially for the NT. From being absolutely hopeless in the first half of the year, to Okada suddenly pulling a big one out of the hat at the WC, to that win over Argentina, the Asian Games gold, and finally the ultra-dramatic fashion in which they went on to win the AC. Was certainly an emotionally draining year to be a JNT supporter. The league wasn't as dramatic, but still it had new league champions and FC Tokyo of all teams getting relegated. Had plenty of good football on offer too. Actually I'm thinking it would be really interesting if it went down the other route: building a system using a 'false nine'. Okazaki seems to relish ghosting in from wide positions to score, plus CF is where Japan has traditionally found talent difficult to come by (I was forced to fill in at CF in a shakaijin team of about 30 strong, because nobody wanted to play there!). The fluidity required by the system seems to be a fit with the NT's style as well.
A team that seems to always put 11 "footballers" (ie real ones) on the field. Today was just like defeating Denmark - there was a clear edge in the level of skill. And today too you saw the dedication in the form of 120 minute fitness, despite the recent marathon semi-final. A very good day for football.
There's definitely something different about the team under Zac. Normally if Japan had played the way it did under someone like Okada they would have lost most of their matches and come home highly discouraged, but somehow they were able to win these tight matches. I don't know what it is, but I hope that it can continue.
I think I haven't missed any match this year, regardless of the gender or age. Best memory, the Asian Games. Thank you all, it's pleasure to follow the JNT here.
A wonderful season for Japan, truly an absolute pleasure to be a supporter of the JNT right now. By the way in the last 14 games we've only lost once to Netherlands, otherwise its 12 games without a loss against some formidable opponents. I seriously believe the defensive frailties at this tournament can be mended simply with the return of Tulio. Our attack has been wonderful with 14 goals in 6 games. A lot of mentality and I think above all, Hasebe must get a lot of props for that under his captaincy the JNT have been very mentally strong. I don't think I've missed a JNT match in any age this year either. Tragedy of Doha is surely exorcised, Kaiserslautern game can be very properly put to rest by denying Australia's best generation a trophy (2007 game was nice and sort of did the trick, but this is sweeter). -------------------------- Evaluating the JNT in the context of world football. A world class CF would put Japan in the top 9 or 10 teams in the world easy. Elo ratings have them at 14 right now. And according to football-rankings blog our win will put us at no.17 on the FIFA ranking which is feeling more appropriate. But as an attacking force with our best team we're among the very best in the world right now. Playing a style of football that few national teams can and at a level that even fewer can match.
I think that the final of Asian Cup pretty much sums up the 18 years of proffesional football in Japan. That was an icing on the cake. Lucky You who travelled this way with Japanese football from the beginning. Now Japan is probably fastest developing country in the whole world if we talk about 'soccer', a model I think. JFA.mania - there's a thread called JNT Football Media. That's where it should land.
Hey a big OTSUKARE for Akito and thanks for the reports from Qatar. You other guys (including me)... Are you saving money for Brazil 2014??
. . . and they are also the "Unofficial Football World Champions", for those who have been paying attention to the great coverage on this site: http://www.ufwc.co.uk/ What is most remarkable is that - even though its rather unlikely - Japan could possibly become the first team in history to hold titles on two separate continents, while also being the unofficial world champions. All theyd have to do is stay undefeated between now and the end of the Copa America.
Thank you Japan nationalteam,you gave me sooo much happieness and I'm proud of everyone in this team.This Asia Cup maybe was one of the most interesting and dramatical tournaments I ever seen. It was a great month and I was loving every minute of your games ...THANK YOU VERY MUCH JAPAN
Thank you Japan nationalteam,you gave me sooo much happieness and I'm proud of everyone in this team.This Asia Cup maybe was one of the most interesting and dramatical tournaments I ever seen. It was a great month and I was loving every minute of your games ...THANK YOU VERY MUCH JAPAN Hehe very good Idea =) maybe we all can really think about it when we see how the Blue Samurai perform in Copa America
