Good line-up. So it's Miyake-Utsugi as CBs and Sameshima/Takagi on the sides? What's the exact formation in the midfield?
No, after some minutes of viewing I can see that Sameshima is still CB and Utsugi is played as a Left-Back instead. Interesting line-up.
Sumida and Sakaguchi in center, Momiki and Haji outside, Korean's are starting to lose their speed...they gonna be dangerous in first 15 min in 2nd half but if they don't score there then Japan should dominate last 20 min.
Yes...and we still have secret weapon ...Nakajima's probing runs forward...feeling optimistic about outcome
HT 0-0. While they were going out of the pitch Sameshima and Utsugi were intensively chatting, probably about how to manage the left-side of the pitch. Anyway it's a joy to watch a conversation between these two beautiful women! I only watched the last 20 minutes, more or less, where we didn't run much risks, I guess, and even had some half-chances (was Tanaka really off-side, towards the end of the 1st half? ). I quite like our defensive line-up and how our midfield keep retrieving good balls. Momiki didn't seem very effective to me, but it's just a brief impression, I admit.
Yes, I was surprised not to see her in the starting line-up: probably Takakura's intention is in fact to use her as a super-sub to put the opponents out of balance?
I wonder if Nakajima (for Momiki) will switch sides with Haji in 2nd half. Both Takagi and Haji worked the near line well, Korean outside back there ought to be tired. Korean far side attacking winger is out of fuel as well and I guess Sung Hyang-sim will be changed for Ri Hae-yon in later part of the game. Imho moment when Koreans stop pressing on Japan's half will be a turning point in this match..
At half-time Sawa-san praises her good old friend and former partner in Nadeshiko Japan midfield, Mizuho Sakaguchi. Also she says what we are all wishing too: please, Nakajima in soon!!!
I hope our very long possessions, like this last one, should tire them... Meanwhile Sameshima keeps playing probably her best performance ever as a CB.
Heh, Korean coach ordered to slow the tempo seeing that Japan is taunting his players to chase the ball
Earlier, on that CK action, Korean header wasn't actually so much dangerous, but Ikeda anyway saved it very well.
Nadeshiko defense had been so good in this game, and we messed up about everything in this Korean counterattack action! Good shot, anyway. 1-0 Korea at 20', it's tough, now!
I would have inserted Nakajima earlier, and probably at Momiki's place... Let's see what we manage to do, now.
Well, they had more speed than us and our defense was all over the place. Also, they could play perfect counterattack strategy while we were desperately trying to equalize.