It's been reported that there's nothing wrong with his bones anywhere. Just a 2-3 days rest and he'll recover, at least by WC.
Checked out several Japanese news about Kaji's injury. The team docter says that there's some swelling on right ankle and he's to rest for two to three days before resuming practice. The rough estimate is that he will make it to VS Australia match. Fortunately, there is no problem with the bones. Thank goodness. Kaji isn't one of Japan's aces, but his stamina, offense, and defense were invaluable. I'm very glad he can make it back.
Well if you compare our groups, I'd say Japan would have a much harder time going thru their group than Germany will in ours.
Only saw the highlights, so I have a quetions. Were the freekicks from wich Germany scored legitimate or dives/flops by the Germans?
As regards to Japan coming at the bottom of group F, I think this group is as volatile as it could go. In some ways, as I wrote at length earlier, I think pundits in Europe credit Croatia and Australia a little too much relatively to how much Japan tends to get underestimated. Still, any can come 2nd. One potential element of luck for Japan's draw is that Japan is the last game Brazil plays in the group. Brazil's frame of mind is such that they WILL go to the knockout stage, so the first 2 sides to play Brazil will get the most pressure from Brazilian players. I suspect they will go full force vs Croatia and Australia to get 6 points. Then, Brazil may play B team vs Japan, or just take it easy to avoid injury. It's still important that Japan gets at least 4 points from vs Australia & Croatia (preferably 6 of course), but should things go a bit wrong, it MIGHT matter that Brazil would not really care for the Japan game. That theory would fail, however, if Australia and/or Croatia happen to beat Brazil...! Then Japan is in trouble as Japan would need to survive Brazil's full strength side. Say, if Croatia beats Australia and Brazil, they'd have 6 points too. Brazil must beat Japan, and if Japan had won vs Australia and Croatia, it becomes imperative to at least draw vs Brazil. Then the goal differences come in Still, given that Brazil is a world beating side, I think I needn't worry about that 2nd scenario... hopefully. In THAT sense, Group F is a rather straight forward group
I wouldn't say that. I remember one of them at least Miyamoto had the guy beat but then the guy grabbed his shirt from behind to get even before suddenly falling to the ground.
After watching this match, I'm sure Japan can take 2nd in group. A win would have been nice, but they put 2 on Germany IN GERMANY. Plus, they got the goals from a striker! If Japan's strikers get rolling, they will do better than they did in 2002.
I think it was just Miyamoto is too weak. Though I agree with you about unintentional hand case. In WC I hope Miyamoto show differently. I don't rate him, but he played far better than I expected in 2002 WC, so I hope this time same thing happen. German is very strong in WC, but not so strong in friendly game. But anyway , it was good game for Japan.
and a bit short (but cute!!). We need three or more Nakazawa. ah, sorry, what do you mean 'solid' here....!?
Alright everyone! Anyway, sorry that the Germany match took a long time to get done. The internet site I upload the games to, was slow and didn't work the past 2 nights. But, I got it done. The Germany vs Japan is ready, just PM me, with an e-mail address, and I will forward the links to you. If there's problems with the links, or if all of the links work, just let me know. I've sent the same links to other people already, if you have some initial problems with downloading the files, just be paitent. Enjoy. VN