Official 2011 Nadeshiko Japan Thread [R] - part III

30' A mess of a Japanese short corner allows Thailand to break with the ball on the counterattack with four players streaming forward. They run sooo slowly, however, that the entire Japanese defense is able to get back in full position by the time they cross the halfway line...

 

32' Shot from #19 (Takase?) from outside the box skims wide.

 

Maybe your stream has a minute lag

BTW, I like the look of Utsugi in midfield, #13. She seems to have great athleticism and movement, as well as calmness and composure on the ball. Haven't seen her play before, so I'm happily impressed.

I'm a bit less impressed by the offensive capacities of the team at the moment. For all this possession and dominance, Japan have created precious few chances. There's been a bit too much overelaboration at times, I feel, as well as a lack of a finishing touch.

 

36' shot by Utsugi is deflected and lobs towards the Thai keeper, but she saves. Another half-chance!

 

I agree. Japan should use its possession to pull the Thai players (who are very slow) out of position, rather than trying to pass the ball right down the congested middle most of the time. Crosses have looked more effective.


Edit from earlier post: That deflection was actually a good reflex header by #16 (Tanaka?) but it was a bit too slow to beat the keeper.

 

42' ball falls to Sameshima who has time just outside the box to put a shot in. She hits it with some force, but it sails just over the crossbar.

Really liking the way Utsugi is playing, I have to say. She seems to be everywhere! A bit disappointed with Nagasato. Her touch has been heavy. Maybe a substitution at half time wouldn't be a bad idea. Something about the forward line needs to change.

 

43' Brilliant move by Sameshima on the left! With two defenders on her, she nutmegs her marker, slides in, and hits a beautiful pass into the box with the outside of her right boot. Tanaka's shot, unfortunately, is not up to the same level of quality and sails high. Too bad...

 

Utsugi seems to have slotted into the left-back position to allow Sameshima to get forward. Probably a very good idea, considering that Sameshima's crosses from the left have created most of Japan's best chances thus far.

Half-time whistle.

 

I agree completely. I'd definitely switch out Nagasato. Although Japan did create some half-chances, one would expect more genuine chances given the level of possession Japan enjoyed. And there's been no end product thus far. Although the Thai keeper did make a few saves, the shots were right at her. She hasn't actually been tested a single time. That can't be right!

Sameshima has been class, but no one else stands out in particular (although their performances, for the most part, have been relatively solid.)

 

Miyama is on for the second half.

 

Miyama came on for Utsugi, it seems. Disappointing from my point of view, as I thought Utsugi was playing well. But since Miyama and Sameshima play on the left together, perhaps that was seen by Sasaki as the sensible thing to do. He's staying with the two forwards for the time being.

 

********in Sasaki don't like Utsugi, she don't need to waste of time with national team when we need her at begin of season with club team !

 

Japan don't look any better in the second half; in fact, they look worse. Compared to the first 7 mins of the first half, the first 7 minutes of this half have looked much more even between the two teams.

7' Thailand created a half-chance when they played a nice through ball to their striker, who made it just inside the box, but was skillfully tackled by Sameshima.

 

Which club is that?

She looked good in the first half. I would have kept her on. Japan have actually looked a bit worse since taking her off.