Re: Official Youth (U20) Japanese NT Thread [R] Yeah that was a handball very clearly even at the time. Ref seemed to be the only 1 who didn't 'see' it. Japan played better overall too. It wouldn't have been a "cheap victory" to get that freekick - it'd seem more appropriate that Japan did get the 2nd penalty to win. But then, oh well. Luckily it's only a youth worldcup, push comes to shove. So I'm easy.
Re: Official Youth (U20) Japanese NT Thread [R] Okay. I think it would be nice for this team if they came forth in the tournament. The next tournaments are coming. Maybe some boys will play the next World Cup 2010 and then they are in South Africa.
Re: Official Youth (U20) Japanese NT Thread [R] Putting aside the defeat, this U20 side has been a truly pleasant surprise. I didn't know a relatively young bunch of footballers could develop like that this quickly. They all had the knack of shielding the ball effectively and spinning this way and that way to get out of trouble. Ball touches were soft, passing was smooth, and many could dribble in a lung-bursting run, utilizing sharp turns. And what I liked the most is the fluidity. They played an interesting version of total football with a proper plan in place (you hearing that, Zico?). It seems JFA has been hard at work to address fundamental problems they came across over the years and to develop it. So somehow this defeat doesn't hit me hard. Sure it's upsetting to lose especially when you deserve to win, yet there were much brighter prospects that I saw within each game, that is far more profound than results themselves.
Re: Official Youth (U20) Japanese NT Thread [R] The Dragon Ball Z celebrations were amusing. Probably pissed the Czech Players off.
Re: Official Youth (U20) Japanese NT Thread [R] Think you could say that for just about every celebration they did. LOL
Re: Official Youth (U20) Japanese NT Thread [R] Ya seriously, After the first Czech Goal some Czech player started pushing and shoving with that blond haired Japanese player.
Re: Official Youth (U20) Japanese NT Thread [R] Personally my fav is the 1st one at Czech, is that meant to be genki dama or something
Re: Official Youth (U20) Japanese NT Thread [R] What a heartbreaker... But then again, after all the sparks of the first three games, "Typically Japan NT". In the extra-time, the Czech never passed the midfield, we could have scored 5-6 times, but there was that feeling of non-urgency I really hate even when I play futsal with my friends here. Japan NTs MUST become more cynical. They were clearly much better than the Czech, they just neede to push it a bit more. Aw... The celebrations and the hair-styles were cool, indeed; however, I'd love the kids on the field to have a bit less of a cult of (self) personality and to be a bit more concrete. This team definitely deserved to play at least one more game, and how cool it would have been to see them play Spain... However, it was fun. Good job Japan U20. Looking forward to the next tournies.
Re: Official Youth (U20) Japanese NT Thread [R] OMG!!! i lag, but they are the most cutest japanese footballers ever, they do happen to have spunk!!! they did well!!! i hope they win an award when the tournament ends...like the most entertaining team! but it kinda reminded me of inamoto and toda of 2002! ha!! they were awesome
Re: Official Youth (U20) Japanese NT Thread [R] You know whats funny. My gf said Kashiwagi looks cute in this competition. Then on a closer inspection we agreed he wasn't as cute as he looks from afar. LOL!! Poor Kashiwagi
Re: Official Youth (U20) Japanese NT Thread [R] For some reason I seem to have skipped over your post so its a late reply now, but I think we had a rare case of group mentality that stemmed in that 'cult' of individual personality. I agree with you though, in general terms I'd say the same as you. It's just that in case of this U20, that cult of self personality existed alongside an amazing team mentality, not at the expense of it. Based on that reason alone, I would say it worked well. There is a tendency to think that it's either individual or group, and the 2 won't mix. But what I believe we saw was a perfect cocktail of the two. The best of both worlds, if you like.
Re: Official Youth (U20) Japanese NT Thread [R] awww...yeah thats was me with inamoto eight years ago, but i still like him, he is was a great asian player and i am a big fan.
Re: Official Youth (U20) Japanese NT Thread [R] you mean the guy with the flat nose...seems cute but not good looking, i'd say the red head makino, looked good, he looked manly
Re: Official Youth (U20) Japanese NT Thread [R] Not sure if you'd call that a flat nose (I've seen worse), but yeah Kashiwagi doesn't have features that stand out like Makino's do. More of a "Japanese pretty boy" kind I guess.
Re: Official Youth (U20) Japanese NT Thread [R] Hey, flat nose is good too. Then again, I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder and these days eurocentricism seems to be driving the agenda. BTW Makino is so distinct isn't he. Can't fail to spot him from anywhere. My fav celebration perf was by him EDIT: BTW, if you haven't seen it this is a pretty comprehensive tribute to U20 performance in this competition.
Re: Official Youth (U20) Japanese NT Thread [R] yeah i've seen them LOL, fab performances... and i'd say makino isn't a pretty boy, his just spunky looking and kawashigi i consider as cutesy boy... Yasuda reminds me of a younger version of inamoto, its a coinsident he plays for gamba too.
Re: Official Youth (U20) Japanese NT Thread [R] Maybe he might even switch to volante later in his career. LOL
Re: Official Youth (U20) Japanese NT Thread [R] Hey, the boys were great. I really have great hopes for thr future of this team! It just pisses me off they couldn't score a goal in the extra time against a Czech Rep on its knees and one man down... especially now that the Czech made it too the final is even more irritating
Re: Official Youth (U20) Japanese NT Thread [R] Yeah it is annoying, but then again it is to do with mental strength. They got rattled towards the end and I think they learned a lot from this experience. In the post match interview they acknowledged this - they had what it takes to nail the game, yet they got nervy and didn't. No hardship, no progress. So it may turn out to be a great experience especially considering how young they were. They will grow both mentally and technically, I'm sure.
Re: Official Youth (U20) Japanese NT Thread [R] i guess one other factor is that they younger generations are exposed to a lot of football nowadays
Re: Official Youth (U20) Japanese NT Thread [R] If you haven't read this yet: this article on the mindset of the U20 squad had impressed me. By trickle of information this is something I've always known so nothing new there, but summarized like that (especially in the 2nd page) I was reminded of the impressive passage of U20 development.
Re: Official Youth (U20) Japanese NT Thread [R] It really is just that, a summary of the U-20s team journey to the World Youth Championships. How they started from zero, slowly got to realise their playing style, growing into a tightly bonded unit, and how the tournament was an emotional ride for them.