2005 Japanese International Thread - Road to Germany [R]

LakesidePark · Dec 19, 2004

Kirin Challenge Cup Soccer (Women)

Nadeshiko Japan played the first game since Athens against Taiwan. It was a great restart for rapidly improving Japanese women's soccer. Their goal is to achieve a good result in Beijing Olympics.

Japan 11-0 Taiwan

The L-League stars fired 37 shots and buried 11 into the net. Taiwan had none.

Homare Sawa (Nippon TV), Asia's best female footballer, has become the top scorer in Japanese women's soccer by scoring her 49th goal in the 90th international match she played. Shinobu Ohno (Nippon TV), who missed the Athens Olympics, scored a hat trick in the first half. Olympian striker Eriko Arakawa (Nippon TV) scored 2 goals and was replaced by Ayako Kitamoto (Saitama) who also completed a hat trick.

Young, talented players are emerging. Aya Miyama, a 19-year-old right-side attacker playing for Okayama Yunogo Belle, made a great debut with recording 2 goals and 2 assists. She set up 7 goals out of 8 in the first half. An 18-year-old defender, Nayuha Toyoda (Nippon TV), showed solid defense and effective attack.

maria_s · Dec 19, 2004

Re: Kirin Challenge Cup Soccer (Women)

LakesidePark said:

Nadeshiko Japan played the first game since Athens against Taiwan. It was a great restart for rapidly improving Japanese women's soccer. Their goal is to achieve a good result in Beijing Olympics.

Japan 11-0 Taiwan
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BRAVA!! Nadeshiko Japan!! (only good thing happned to Japan recently... )

Enclosure · Dec 19, 2004

Re: Japanese International Thread [R]

TrooperBari said:

I wouldn't put too much stock in the result. Zico, I would assume, wouldn't field such a piecemeal back line in a match that really mattered. Did he play Alex at left back again?

I'm just glad Inamoto was able to play and not pick up any further injuries (assuming that's the case).
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I don't understand what the fuss is all about either. When I saw the declared line up on Sky the day before, I seriously thought it was a bad joke. As it turned out unsurprisingly (to me), Japan lost, but I'm surprised Japan didn't lose by more than 3.

It's a bit of disrespect by Zico as well. As it stands Japan seem to have A, B and C teams, with some circumstantial overlaps. I haven't heard of A team being assembled since vs Czech and England/Iceland games. B played in AFC2004. Then there's C, which looks like a scrap team made of "Oh-lets-try-him" player, with some olympics players (who lost badly in Athens), untried players and players coming back from injury/bad form. C played vs Argentina and Germany.

I think it's such a waste of friendly games to play semi-C team against the likes of Argentina and Germany. Reading the events running up to the game, even the likes of Inamoto was thrown in just so that he gets a decent match practice as it was his first proper game in 6 months. Suzuki the clown isn't even worth mentioning at this point in time, and perhaps Alex was the only 1 thrown into the mess who could've done something useful, but in my view he's too much of a russian roulette to be relied upon when the rest of the A team isn't in. The frame of mind is all wrong. That game was used not to test Japan's strength, but to give unexperienced/unfit players some practice. I think Tamada was the only one who was in there for a good reason, but even then he was thrown into a downbeat environment half way through, with absolutely no support from the midfield.

The only surprising thing about that game is that Japan didn't lose 6-0. What a waste of potentially a great friendly game. (excuse my ugly first post but I couldn't help jumping into this "doom and gloom" parody).

EDIT: congrats to woman's team by the way (though I know next to nothing about them).

rougou · Dec 19, 2004

Re: Japanese International Thread [R]

Enclosure said:

I don't understand what the fuss is all about either. When I saw the declared line up on Sky the day before, I seriously thought it was a bad joke. As it turned out unsurprisingly (to me), Japan lost, but I'm surprised Japan didn't lose by more than 3.

It's a bit of disrespect by Zico as well. As it stands Japan seem to have A, B and C teams, with some circumstantial overlaps. I haven't heard of A team being assembled since vs Czech and England/Iceland games. B played in AFC2004. Then there's C, which looks like a scrap team made of "Oh-lets-try-him" player, with some olympics players (who lost badly in Athens), untried players and players coming back from injury/bad form. C played vs Argentina and Germany.
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I agree with your complaints. It seems when Zico should be bringing in the best players, he puts out a garbage team instead. I guess the only thing on his mind is world cup qualification, and he doesn't want to risk the good players.

I don't think there were many Olympic players on there though. Who played besides Okubo? I would actually think Zico should try a couple more of that group. They didn't exactly "lose badly" in Athens. They lost by one goal in high scoring games against the eventual 2nd and 3rd place finishers, Paraguay and Italy.

skipshady · Dec 19, 2004

Re: Japanese International Thread [R]

What bothers me about Zico's team selections isn't so much that he's not fielding the best players. You have to play your B team sometimes to try new players or as a courtesy to club teams - I can understand. My problem is more with which second-tier players he's picking.

I mean, we all know what Suzuki can do. We know Fujita and Ogasawara aren't dependable. And why do we see Kaji and Santos every game? Surely, they are not the best that Japan has to offer.

rougou · Dec 19, 2004

Re: Japanese International Thread [R]

skipshady said:

What bothers me about Zico's team selections isn't so much that he's not fielding the best players. You have to play your B team sometimes to try new players or as a courtesy to club teams - I can understand. My problem is more with which second-tier players he's picking.

I mean, we all know what Suzuki can do. We know Fujita and Ogasawara aren't dependable. And why do we see Kaji and Santos every game? Surely, they are not the best that Japan has to offer.
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I can't really understand the selections, except Ogasawara, one of the best players in the league. I think he does fine as long as the players around him make some attempt to move towards the goal..

Does Zico really plan to use Suzuki, Fujita, and Kaji in the world cup? I think that would be a disgrace. Hopefully he'll take a hint from the Korea coach and try some new guys.

TrooperBari · Dec 20, 2004

Re: Japanese International Thread [R]

Enclosure said:

The only surprising thing about that game is that Japan didn't lose 6-0. What a waste of potentially a great friendly game. (excuse my ugly first post but I couldn't help jumping into this "doom and gloom" parody).

EDIT: congrats to woman's team by the way (though I know next to nothing about them).
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S'allright. Heaven knows Zico has given fans of Japan plenty of such opportunities.

BTW, welcome to the boards.

LakesidePark · Dec 21, 2004

Japanese national team against Kazakhstan and Syria

It's basically the same as before. The Japanese national team to play North Korea on Feb. 9 will be announced after Feb. 2 when Europe-based players, namely Nakamura, Takahara, Okubo, Inamoto, and Yanagisawa, join the team.

Goalkeepers:

Narazaki (Nagoya Grampus Eight)

Doi (FC Tokyo)

Kawaguchi (Jubilo Iwata)

Defenders:

Tanaka (Jubilo Iwata)

Matsuda (Yokohama F Marinos)

Miyamoto (Gamba Osaka)

Santos (Urawa Reds)

Tsuboi (Urawa Reds)

Kaji (FC Tokyo)

Nakazawa (Yokohama F Marinos)

Chano (JEF Ichihara)

Nishi (Jubilo Iwata)

Miura (Tokyo Verdy)

Midfielders:

Endo (Gamba Osaka)

K. Nakata (Kashima Antlers)

Ogasawara (Kashima Antlers)

Fukunishi (Jubilo Iwata)

Fujita (Jubilo Iwata)

Motoyama (Kashima Antlers)

Abe (JEF United Ichihara)

Forwards:

Suzuki (Kashima Antlers)

Kubo (Yokohama F Marinos)

Tamada (Kashiwa Reysol)

Positives:

Kubo and Tsuboi come back.

An Olympian midfielder Abe is added to team.

There's training from Jan. 17 to Jan. 28.

Negatives:

Suzuki and Kaji are still there.

Ono might miss the WCQ against North Korea due to ankle injury.

Zico implies that Hidetoshi Nakata is not ready to play and thus will not be called up, either.

Some players will be overused next year because of the congested football calendar.

shuvy87 · Dec 21, 2004

Re: Japanese International Thread [R]

Ithink Okuro from G Osaka should try for NT

Team Melli forever · Dec 21, 2004

I have a question for my Japanese friends here: Ono just got injured and from what I've heard is going to go through surgery. Any of you have any idea how long he will be out?

skipshady · Dec 21, 2004

Team Melli forever said:

I have a question for my Japanese friends here: Ono just got injured and from what I've heard is going to go through surgery. Any of you have any idea how long he will be out?
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6 weeks is the word right now. Which means he would miss the first WCQ against North Korea.

GuruSky · Dec 21, 2004

Re: Japanese International Thread [R]

good luck

Team Melli forever · Dec 21, 2004

skipshady said:

6 weeks is the word right now. Which means he would miss the first WCQ against North Korea.
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IC, so I'm assuming he'll be back in shape for the Iran encounter. Thanks for the info.

LakesidePark · Dec 22, 2004

Re: Japanese International Thread [R]

shuvy87 said:

Ithink Okuro from G Osaka should try for NT
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You meant Oguro. Unfortunately, he pulled a calf muscle and is out of action for three weeks. He scored a total of 20 goals, including two hat tricks.

I'd like to see Hasebe of Urawa in the NT. He's also the Best Eleven.

maria_s · Dec 22, 2004

Re: Japanese International Thread [R]

skipshady said:

why do we see Kaji and Santos every game? Surely, they are not the best that Japan has to offer.
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Alex is not at all good...? I thought he was not that bad when Nakata Hide was there....

Maybe, Zico needs Alex there in the team for... some kinda communication? nahhhhhh...!!

TrooperBari · Dec 23, 2004

Re: Japanese International Thread [R]

maria_s said:

Alex is not at all good...? I thought he was not that bad when Nakata Hide was there....

Maybe, Zico needs Alex there in the team for... some kinda communication? nahhhhhh...!!
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Perhaps Zico just wants a left back who's also an attacking threat, a la Roberto Carlos?

Premium Hamatachi redded · Dec 23, 2004

Re: Japanese International Thread [R]

skipshady said:

What bothers me about Zico's team selections isn't so much that he's not fielding the best players. You have to play your B team sometimes to try new players or as a courtesy to club teams - I can understand. My problem is more with which second-tier players he's picking.

I mean, we all know what Suzuki can do. We know Fujita and Ogasawara aren't dependable. And why do we see Kaji and Santos every game? Surely, they are not the best that Japan has to offer.
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I love you so much! If you leave me, I'll surely die!

watanabe2k · Dec 23, 2004

Ah, I missed coming to these forums! The Holiday Cheer!

TrooperBari · Dec 23, 2004

Be cool, Hama-san.

Peace on Earth and all that jazz....

maria_s · Dec 24, 2004

watanabe2k said:

Ah, I missed coming to these forums! The Holiday Cheer!
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I've missed you watanabe2k!! How are you!?

rougou · Dec 28, 2004

Ono could possibly miss Japan's first 3 final round qualification matches. I hope they bring Nakata back to make up for Ono's absence.

LakesidePark · Jan 3, 2005

rougou said:

Ono could possibly miss Japan's first 3 final round qualification matches. I hope they bring Nakata back to make up for Ono's absence.
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Amen. Zico doesn't seem so willing to bring Hide back to the squad, though. And Kubo will be focusing on rehabilitation.

FYI, Captain Kawabuchi has announced JFA's long-term goals.

By 2015, JFA should:

1. Increase the number of soccer lovers (e.g. registered players) to 5 million.
2. Make Japan NT one of world's top 10 NTs (in terms of FIFA Ranking)

By 2050, JFA should:

1. Increase the number of soccer lovers to 10 million.
2. Host and win a World Cup. (w/o co-hosting)

Do we have to wait for 45 years? I'm not sure I'm still alive.

Happy new year, folks.

nxttc · Jan 4, 2005

LakesidePark said:

Amen. Zico doesn't seem so willing to bring Hide back to the squad, though. And Kubo will be focusing on rehabilitation.

FYI, Captain Kawabuchi has announced JFA's long-term goals.

By 2015, JFA should:

1. Increase the number of soccer lovers (e.g. registered players) to 5 million.
2. Make Japan NT one of world's top 10 NTs (in terms of FIFA Ranking)

By 2050, JFA should:

1. Increase the number of soccer lovers to 10 million.
2. Host and win a World Cup. (w/o co-hosting)

Do we have to wait for 45 years? I'm not sure I'm still alive.

Happy new year, folks.
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hell...we had to wait till 98 for our first world cup. we're good with the paitience thing

maria_s · Jan 14, 2005

Troussier is eagerly trying to get Nakata Koji for Marseille. I'm really curious how Nakata K. is taking this offer... Or is there already anything reported on his side story??

maria_s · Jan 14, 2005

I cannot believe that N. Korea has requested "No national anthem, no display of national flags" in the game on February 9th here. At this point, they should be disqualified!