Official 2018 Samurai Blue thread

It's nice to finally have some players who aren't afraid to take shots outside of the box.

 

I agree. It's both refreshing and a relief to see players taking shots outside of the box, instead of trying to pass and walk the ball in to the net, as it sometimes feld like in the past.

Some positives:
- The smallest midfielders, specifically Doan and Nakajima, weren't getting pushed off the ball easily.
- The aforementioned two also weren't shy about letting shots rip from outside the box. Two of the goals were scored off of shots that they took that had
rebounded off of the keeper's initial save. I think Nakajima in particular took at least five shots on net.
- Osako is still great at holding the ball. Unfortunately, he still cannot clinically finish goal scoring chances (more on this later).
- It's encouraging to see that the coach is willing to try different players for matches that don't really matter (ie. friendlies). In particular, Miura in this match, and a whole slew of players in the previous one. I'm excited to see his next roster selection.

Some concerns:
- The at times sloppy defence, and especially being weak in the air. It's nothing new but it's unfortunate that it hasn't improved.
- Continuing with the defensive issue, the current starting backline (assumed as Nagatomo-Makino-Yoshida-Sakai) is pretty old. That is, they'lll be pretty darn old for the next World Cup. In Tomiyasu we trust, but what about the next era of side/wing-backs? I suppose that's what fills future roster selections with all the more exicitment.
- Osako continues to struggle to put away clear goal scoring chances. It's the same issue he has at his club matches. It seemed like he had at least three solid chances at a goal aside from his actual goal (which seemed more difficult than the ones he missed). This isn't new, and it just sucks that he hasn't improved/evolved. But think of what it would mean for the team if he does suddenly become a clinical finisher ...*drool*
- At this time, it seems like there's no replacement for Osako and his holding ability. Muto doens't quite fit the bill. Is there anyone else?

Overall, it's exciting to watch the team again, both on and off the field. Off the field for the fact that we just don't know who the coach will choose for the roster. ...which I think is great as it keeps all players (both those that have previously been selected and those who haven't been selected yet) on their toes. Not to mention who actually gets played. I`m looking forward to the next matches.

 

What do you think about Koike Ryuta from Kashiwa Reysol? I don't know much about him, so I'm just honestly asking.

 

Me too, lol. On another note, I think Koki Anzai can be given a try. I think he plays on the same side as Nagatomo.

I think Yuma Suzuki could potentially be an alternative option for Osako imo. He can hold the ball and play with his back to goal. Good in the air too.
Like Osako, his finishing isn't that good but he is kinda like Muto with his movements in the box imo. He can be worth a try. Same goes for Koya Kitagawa and perhaps even Takumi Nishizawa who is playing in CSKA now.

Ayase Ueda is also another alternative option.

 

I like this new team, I havent been pleased with the NT for a longer time since Osim ,WC 2010 and the latest WC. Defence is always a little concern. What happend to Shoji? Sakai is no concers for me if we talk about WC 22. He is a physical monster.

Osako has to be one of the most frustrating players to watch. But you can't dislike him. He great at holding the ball. A good passer etc. But he can't finish, he could've been the topscorer of the WC if he could. So I think its a bad idea to just rely on him. I would like to see Muto more involved of course. And please find another striker.

 

Can Nakajima and Kagawa play together ? After the great WC Shinji's had, I'm willing to see it.
Nakajima, Kagawa, Minamino, Inui, Doan, possibly Morioka, Haraguchi and others such as Usami, Kiyotake, Kubo, Muto ... There's a lot of possibilities.

 

Osako is frustrating but you can't deny what he gives the team, though you do hope in the future Japan can produce an outstanding striker on par with the talent the produce in creative midfield. I'm very impressed with this new young team,takes me back to how excited I was to watch them play during Zac days. Uruguay couldn't handle the attacking power, future looking good

 

Don't really think Kiyotake is in the mix right now. I like the guy, but he's been injured on and off for the last two seasons. Hope he can find his old form at some point thought.

 

He's not but when he's good, he's above the pack. Given his age though, he's headed towards of the biggest "what if" kind of career in japanese football.

 

I watched Bundesliga when Kiyotake was a a baller. Great player. I could not believe when he choosed to go home to Japan..

 

I just hope they don't end up like Zac Japan during the WC.

 

Well a team like Uruguay will not give up 4 goals in a World Cup match. It's a completely different animal. So that's why it's hard to take anything from these friendlies. But at least we won't have 3-4 years of watching paint dry like under Vahid.

 

True. Zac did not do well in the WC partly due to his poor substitutions imo. He replaced Hasebe with Endo and Japan could not control the midfield against Cote D'Ivore and he did not react well enough to Drogba's substution. He also could not find a solution for Greece's parking the bus.
Hopefully, Moriyasu can do better than Zac.

 

Unfortunately life brought him back home. I stil hope to see in Asian Cup for 2019. Under rated talent.

 

This can't be you. Someone hacked your account for sure.

 

Yes. I don't think I exaggerate when I say he is on the most talented japanese players ever. Gifted. Specially in his Hannover days.

 

Why exactly did he return to Japan?

 

Oh god did not know that was the case. Unborn or ?

 

Tough call. I think Yamanaka and Kurumaya may represent good options.
I personally don't like Sasaki as a full back. And I hope Nagatomo will be part of 2022 WC, because he seems the only senator who could be useful until that time.

 

First japanese footballer I learned of and recognized after France98. The italian commentary introduced him as "the ever smiling gk Kawaguchi". I remember his jersey with the flames (like all the japan jersey in France98) and I thought "This guy is the stranger and coolest gk I ever seen".
I rooted so much for Japan but especially for him in that match and only Batistuta managed to score a goal against him.

The most irritating event of his career is that Portsmouth jynxed transfert. Cuz of that shitty season (I couldn't follow his matches but I think he was a scapegoat for a too weak team) he lost his starting spot in the home WC2002 and everytime he was framed by the camera on the bench he seemed sad.
Imo he was more skilled and experienced than Narazaki (and far charismatic too) and he could make the difference against the Turks.

Anyway I hope he will have some role in the development of the new japanese gks for the NT on some way.