Of course, I'm just saying it would'v been more risky the other way (more respectful, of course though). Poland should've scored on one counter and they had all their guys behind the ball ready to counter at full force on any screw-up.
Guys, cool down. The most important thing now is that we are qualified, there is no need to complain right now. Nishino took a risky gamble, and the other match's result was in our favour. Now, we will face either England or Belgium with players like Kagawa, Honda and Shoji fully rested, while Hasebe, Inui and Osako just played less than 45 minutes. Moreover, none of our players who recieved a yellow-card is suspended for the next match, especially Inui and Hasebe as their alternatives are unreliable. Japan will play next game with their starters, no more Gotoku Sakai in the attacking midfield, which was a complete joke, no more Yamaguchi and Makino starting. So, calm down. Let's hope for the best in the next match.
Japan was better off clinching the 1st place and be on the easier bracket but (sigh) I just don't know anymore lol.
Fully rested right. Its four days till the next match you think Belgium or England will be like tired or something? These guys play in top European Leagues with usually matches being 3 days in between you really think they will have some problems?
Shibasaki won more balls than Yamaguchi whose only job was to win the ball and break-up play. Crossing balls to who? Okazaki surrounded by 3 Polish defenders? At that point it's just pumping the ball in the box and praying that something happens. Wouldn't surprise me if he was hoping for a Poland own goal rather than a Japanese player actually making contact.
Aside from the horrifically awful lineup, embarrassing tactics and utter lack of urgency, the team blew a golden chance for a very favorable playoff berth. The winner of H1 vs G2 goes on to play the winner of Sweden vs Switzerland, which made the semifinals somewhat reachable. If they somehow make it past Belgium/England, which seems unlikely now, they probably face Brazil. Awful strategizing by Nishino.
Embarrassing performance, but you do what you gotta do. Including playing Gotoku Sakai as an attacking winger.
Amazing, just go out and win the game. Poland were hopeless for most of this match, there for the taking. But those changes? Really? Sakai in midfield? I'm embarrassed by the way the game ended, but like mentioned before a win here gives Japan a great chance of creating history, going in with enthusiasm and momentum. This feels a bit empty somehow, but all we can do is wait till the next match and hope they put in a good performance.
Mathematically the right move was probably to do what Nishino did, because it was much more likely that Senegal fail to score (what happened) than score. At the same time, the chance that we score was low, so the best bet was to maintain the status quo. Also, unless Senegal scored, even if we scored we would not win the group with a draw, so there was no probable chance to get on the easier side of the bracket. That said, Japan’s play was very cynical, terrible to watch, and embarrassing as a JNT fan, though I have no doubt that many other teams would have done the same in the same situation, as has been said. At least they only started playing that way in the last 10 minutes or so, when they could have started earlier. At least Usami tracked back and made some defensive plays. For me Yamaguchi was the worst, with the giveaways and mistake that led to the goal. Such an overrated player, doesn’t deserve to be on the team.
Ikr? When I saw the knockout brackets before the match began, I had this feeling that Captain Tsubasa's adventures in the WC will be replicated in real life this time if Japan manages to be 1st in its group, but then this bizarre match happened and I'm back to reality haha.
What's more frustrating is that the general mood is one of relief and content. Seems like most people are happy just getting to the Round of 16. But who cares? We've made it to the Round of 16 twice already. Finishing 1st in the group would have given us the opportunity to get further than ever due to being in the weaker side of the bracket. Now, if we win, we have to play Brazil who we historically have been terrible against.
Nishino should stick with this eleven until the final. Then when the real pressure is on we can bring back our matchwinners.
By the way, Japan made history today. They are the first Asian team to reach the last 16 (the second round) for 3 times.
Japan were very lucky FIFA introduced the fair play rule, this was actually the first time the World Cup used this.
Nishino tanked this game to rest players. I can’t see any other reason. He won the gamble at the cost of putting out a terrible game of football. I have no sympathy for those moralizing about the time-wasting though, after all Senegal might be through if Niang hadn’t lashed out with a few petulant elbows.
It is a stupid rule. Have most shots on goal or something... I still feel bad after this game. Poland was just an awful team btw
Michael O Neil on ''BBC saying he had a soft spot for Japan before the game but after that display he hopes they get hammered next round. I'm delighted Japan are through but that was embarrassing and completely without honour. I think calls for Nishino to be fired are reactionary as he's done well in other games. Remember Japan weren't expected to get a single point so they've done brilliantly to get through. This will stain it though, disgraceful tactics. Shameful.
Don't know what most guys talking about. Sure the last 10 Minutes Japan was a very stupid for symphatical to pass only around at the result of 0-1 down. But the other hole game Japan was playing outstanding. They were the Boss against Columbia, Senegal und even with a B Formation against Poland. Who was expecting this. For me the way Japan goes through the Ko Rounds is like the loss today a loss but Japan was playing a great Tournament They were to this point one of the best teams. Sure the changea where risky but teams like Germany were out and I think our Group is the hardest in the hole WORLD cup. Be
Hahaha most shots on goal is an amazing idea, that would be hilarious to watch! And far more entertaining than the drab antics we had to endure today. Teams would actually be forced to go forward! Here in the UK Michael O'Neil was a pundit and he said he had developed a soft spot for Japan but that after today he hopes they get battered
I prefer England to Belgium. Obviously, England would be favored and rightly so, but England are young and haven't truly been tested vs. two very limited sides in Tunisia and Panama. There's also England's historical tendency to crash out, FWIW. Belgium on the other hand are more experienced and may finally be starting to live up to their potential, though they of course haven't truly been tested either. They will certainly play a lot better than they did when we did alright vs. them in that friendly.
Prior this Japan did have respect for they way they played, but this may have been their fist anti-football game at a World Cup.