Actually, I think Japan should aim for a draw against Italy and be one of the top 3rd placed teams. They are not getting past France if they finish second. It can be risky tho, since they might not be one of the best 3rd placed teams.
Better Round of 16 than nothing. At least it does not sound so bad compared to crashing out of group stages.
I dont watch the first 2 games only the highlights but Japan looks like one of the best teams there or am i wrong ? Sure they lack killer instinct in front of the goal but despite their playing style and game the look very very sharp and dangerous. I think Italy need to prepared for Japan
You would not be saying that if you watched any of those matches. Static midfield, lack of vision and tempo on counterattacks, they have not looked good at all, especially against Uruguay.
1-2 and it's been all Japan since Italy's second goal. They've been playing really good football, just gotta keep pushing and hoping.
Doan seems pretty lively and gained respect from Italians. Lots of composure and good play. Does every 19, 20 years old Italian look like that? Because most of them looks like 30 yo thugs who can beat the crap after you can't return borrowed money with 100% after two months Win, draw or lose, no one can say that Japanese team is worse than Italians anyway. They look good, the first half looked like their best game at this tournament I assume. lol, commentator here told that Fukuoka is 'Japanese Barcelona' More like it's Japanese Naples. Those two should be sister cities anyway. That would be a perfect fit.
Good performance from Ritsu Doan, can see him moving to Europe in 2-3 years. By the way, who will Japan face in the Round of 16?
I really don't like this result despite the qualification achievement. FFS Japan never beat Italy despite playing better any ********ing time.
Still, Uchiyama doesn't seem the right man for the leap of quality Japan badly needs. I remind these kids will be on age for Tokyo 2020.
Confirmed: Japan vs Venezuela in the last 16. Venezuelans looked very strong in the group stages. Very tough game for Japan.
Uchiyama is like the opposite of Teguramori, his team plays offensive-minded football while Teguramori is more defensive. Uchiyama's mid game adjustments are really very good imo, especially in the Uruguay match.
I've lost you. He didn't make any adjustment today and the ones he made against Uruguay were completely ineffective. As a matter of fact, most of his gambles have backfired. Sugioka didn't align himself well and cost us the first goal, Tagawa was invisible, and his choices of GK, MF and strikers are poor.
Venezuela is good but it looks more doable than France or England to me. Good luck. Japan was the better side today after the 2 wake up calls. Sadly, the attack is completely ineffective if it wasn't for Doan.
Sorry, meant to say aren't very good. In the Uruguay match, he should not have brought on Kubo for Ogawa. On another note, surprised that Nakayama aren't performing as well as I though. I thought he would stand out for Japan in this tournament but he wasn't as good as when he is playing for Reysol. Then again, a lot of the players are not performing excellent either.