Exactly as Shunsuke was/should be in 2010. 8 years later the wheel has turned and he must accept it. Anyway till he keep assisting by ck or scoring by fk It's flowing gold!
is he still trying to apply for japanese citizenship? last time i heard it was unfortunately rejected/stalled.
This is the reason why I am so angry that Nishino did not call up Kubo and Nakajima. With these 2 players we would have actually some great options to bring in from the bench.
The application was turned down on a technicality - that he did not satisfy the continuous residency requirement because he left the country for several months to play in Brazil. He should be ready to reapply in 2019 or so.
I read somewhere that Muto will start instead of Inui in order to cope with Senegal's physicality. According to what I read; Muto will play on the right while Haraguchi will move to the left side.
Hugely pumped for the game tonight. Settling in with England vs. Panama which I don't anticipate as being too interesting.
He is stronger than Inui, and is very good in the air despite not being so tall. I dont know if its the best solution but.
Yuya Kubo could have been a good option to use against Senegal, he is also good in the air iirc. Remembered him scoring some good headers in Belgium. Then, he was not picked for some reasons.
Looking forward to this one guys!. I'm nervous but if Japan show the self belief they did in the second half against Colombia then I think they can do it!. Will be supporting from here in Scotland.
Excited for the game too. So good there is again a JNT match in the World Cup that is not do or die. That being said, hoping for goals and a point.
Unchanged lineup. Kawashima Hiroki, Yoshida, Shoji, Nagatomo Hasebe, Shibasaki Haraguchi, Kagawa, Inui Osako
Tuned in just in time to see my favorite #5 deliver that to Inui. It's refreshing to see this new generation - I remember when Nagatomo was a relevation in 2010. I feel like it's no longer a novelty for Asian players to be in Europe.