It turned into a stressful game at the end. Ikeda is obviously a good coach, but sometimes I wonder about his in game management. Funaki today was caught out of position probably four or five times and all effective attacks from North Korea came down that flank, yet he leaves her out there until the 86th minute. I know Miyu Mouri plays more at left back for Nittaidai, but how she is not in this squad I will never know. But Young Nadeshiko played some really nice football in this tournament and it must be down to Ikeda. He won the last under 20 world cup, so things are looking good for next year.
Good match. Japan simply had better quality and was by far more creative a side, especially in 2nd half. Exeptional drill and discipline usually shown by North Korean teams isn't enough anymore. I have to admit that for the first time in years I cursed at the TV after that penalty call. I agree on Ikeda - his appointment proves one of the best moves JFA has made for WoSo in last years.
International Friendly weekend England 1 Germany 2 One offside goal by England (no VAR) two proper goals from Germany Bad tempered affair played in front of 77,000
Highlights: Well done, girls! They played great stuff in the tournament and deserve all the plaudits. Ikeda really did an outstanding job with the girls. I was busy attending a class today, but I would definitely have gone mad if I saw that penalty call live. There was no bloody way that should have been called when the Japanese defender perfectly timed the contact of the ball with her shoulder. In any case, the fact that a Japanese national team has beaten the North Koreans in an Asian competition puts me in the same ecstatic mood as this guy: Good old Gary Neville.
I still think they were pretty good. I thought both Koreas and Young Nadeshiko were very good with China maybe just a level below. I think all three teams that qualified will do well next year, because I thought the skill level and play was incredibly high. But Young Nadeshiko lost to the US in September, so maybe the rest of the world are a lot better?
Just came upon a few interesting videos on Saki Kumagai which I thought may be of interest to some of us if not already mentioned this past year. For copyright cautions I will suggest you "Google" the following: Puma Football Trailblazers Saki Kumagai about 4 min long in german with english subtitles which I thought was quite good and one in french language... Un Jour une joueuse : Saki Kumagai about 1 min long
2-0 Training session is over. With all due respect for S.A players I'm not sure what was the purpose of chosing such weak opponents to play against. Outside from two individual efforts by Kgatlana, Banyana Banyana didn't really show anything beside bunker. It's not that they didn't want to attack - just the skill to do so wasn't there. Yes, Takakura did try couple of different set-ups in this match but it could be done as well against tougher opponents. The highlight of day was the first NT goal from the skipper scored after 109 caps.
Brings back memories of the 2011 English commentary as she stepped up for the penalty "Kumagai...history is made" Congratulations skipper
It was not a bad game against weak opposition. Some good opportunities created but once again poor finishing, though it was a nice goal from Sugasawa. I think Takakura rotated the squad a lot better this time. She tried out some new players, but on the whole kept key players in their key positions, which is really important. However, I have two problems. Jun Endo, is a fine young player, but hitherto has never played (am I right about this?) at left back in her entire career (probably life) and yet she gets a start in that position in an international friendly. Imagine you are a left back playing for Iga, Niigata or Nojima! They must wonder what hope they have of ever playing for Nadeshiko when a nineteen year old (a very talented one) who barely starts for her club team in her preferred position gets to play in their position at international level. I get she wants players to be versatile, but surely Takakura should be looking for a genuine replacement for Sameshima? Also Naomoto! Why or how is she in the squad and more importantly how did she get on the pitch? She has barely played for Freiburg this season, yet she plays in this international. She was a good player, but she has not done anything of significance since her injury. Did she complete a pass today? I want to stress I really like Naomoto, but it is just an odd selection in my opinion.
The above is the problem I have with our NT coach...It sometimes feels like experimentation just for the sake of experimentation. If I was playing in the LB position in the Nadeshiko League I would be in dispair...(it's all too Beleza)