Starting line-up: Kawashima (captain). H. Sakai - Yoshida - Makino - Nagatomo. G. Sakai -Shibasaki - Yamaguchi - Usami. Muto - Okazaki.
Kawashima - Sakai, Yoshida, Makino, Nagatomo - Sakai, Shibasaki, Yamaguchi, Usami - Okazaki, Muto Very daring.
I looked like Psyduck looking at the screen. What he's trying to do? Being more defensive due to Hasebe's absence. I might even think this is a strange 3-4-3, with Gotoku Sakai as RCB and Muto-Usami behind super-presser Okazaki.
This reminds me of Troussier's awkward starting line-up again Turkey in 2002 WC. Let's hope it will not end in a disaster.
It's like we already reached the final16 and he wanna rest starters and give fun to the subs this is beyond crazy with these formation we lost by 2 against Ghana and Switzerland w/o scoring any, the perfect result we need to be kicked out! I'm ********ing out of my self!
Kagawa and Honda not starting will mean only Honda will play. Usami x Inui means that Inui will play only if things go wrong. At least I hope Muto and Okazaki will delivery somethihg. FFS all the men that scored in the first 2 match are out. This is more unbelievable as time pass!
Who knows how well the subs will play, but one thing is for certain. All the blame will fall squarely on Nishino if Japan fail to advance. Very gutsy move, I’ve got to give him that.
This line up is not ok. Not because players are shit or whatever but for many reasons. 1st the first line up is now more in rythem, this one is definitely not 2nd - Usami on the right + Nagatomo is a highway and problem for Japans left flank 3rd - I think Gotoku Sakai is supposed to help out Yamaguchi and Shibakasi in the middle but the thing is, they usually get help from Kagawa which playmakes a lot better and finds pockets where he can receive the ball, with this line up I simpl expect Japan to have trouble even getting up the field. And starting Makino instead of Shoji why on earth would you want to disrupt the central defense pairing? If anything you would want them to get in rythem Hasebe Inui are the only two under yellow cards they would need to be afraid of... This is ridiculous absolutely ridiculous. Either he is a genious if he suceeds or he is a total loser if he fails.
Don't understand why Shoji is not playing. He is not injured or anything and he has played well with Yoshida the past 2 matches. I hope nothing goes wrong.