Official 2015 Nadeshiko Japan Thread [R] - なでしこジャパン（英語スレッド）

0-0 FT after a frantic finish. Now extra time.

 

the girls look tired, the crowd looks freezing (9 degrees in Kobe this afternoon), and this is going to penalties..

 

Hinomoto win on penalties

 

Opened the thing just in time to see the Tokiwagi girl miss that last penalty. Damn, that hurts to watch. I wasn't rooting for them or anything, but I've missed a few of those in my day. Even in a regular match that burns to all heck, imagine a final. My heart goes out to her. Congratulations to the Hinomoto girls. Looks like with weather and opposition, this was a pretty tough match to pull out.

Thanks for the live ticker, fride. I'm just made you had to watch this by yourself. I could've come in sooner but I forgot that this was on today.

Tears frozen over, now the girls are singing. That's cute.

 

Hinamoto players singing to their cheer section!

 

And Sasaki the face of a Family Mart CM

 

the Tokiwagi girls look disconsolate, but they played a good final -- losing on penalties is just one of those crap things in life

 

Zaku!! How are you! It's been a little bit

... and Mr. Sasaki is out there making moves now!

I thought that was cute. Were they singing anything in particular? I didn't really get a chance to hear.

It's mortifying! It's the absolute worst! That'll take a long time to wash off, even more if you played well, and I still cry sometimes just remembering back to that stuff!

 

For those starved of football action (and with an eye to the WWC), the Four Nations Cup is underway in Shezhen, China today, a round-robin tournament with the senior womens teams of China, Korea, Canada, and Mexico.

 

Maybe it's the tape but her nose looks literally look out of joint! The bruising doesn't too bad though, at least for now. I guess you forget just how tough some girls are.

 

According to WSU Canada beat Korea and China drew with Mexico (good result for them).
Somewhere else I think I saw that all games with China will be live on a Chinese TV channel?! I doubt that means a web-stream, but maybe?

 

I watched the match just now, with some distractions. I felt Hinomoto deserved it, they really dominated midfield, although Kobayashi and Shiraki are always dangerous.
Outstanding player is that Hinomoto #10 who is almost as good as Sugita? We saw her last year I think, she seems to have really come on strong. She looks like Minako Ito in the face and like Same in movement.

The play stopped for exactly 10 minutes while she was injured, but the non-stop ethereal singing of the fans made it the best 10 minutes of the match!

 

In other news, Rumi scored for Montpellier today -- the winning goal in their 1-0 win over St-Étienne. The team came out all wearing JeSuisCharlie shirts:

 

Found on Twitter what is supposed to be HIGHLIGHTS

 

Another one worthy of tranlastion is this long interview with a nervous-looking Kozue Ando and Miyamoto on WWCup chances: HERE
Anyone remember, from my infamous Quiz, what is Ando's WWCup playing record? If you dont know it, you will be surprised.....
I think I will ask ndsk120 to help with translations.

 

Even without the translation, it is worth watching to see Ando. I did not start following Nadeshiko Japan until after the World Cup and though she was an important part of the team, her career seems to be on the decline since. She was not a starter of the Olympics and though she had a good career in Germany (she may be the first Nadeshiko to play there) she seems to be getting less and less playing time. She is 32 years old now, I’m almost wondering if she’ll be in the upcoming World Cup. With the exception of Sawa, she is the oldest member of the senior team. Still, I like looking at her (hope that doesn’t TOO creepy) but she has a mature beauty about her and Ms. Miyamoto is so elegant.

Seems like an interesting video. There are clips from the Olympics, the 2014 Algarve Cup and the Asian Cup, commentary from Sasaki. Some of the younger players as well as the players currently in Europe are also mentioned. It seems like the entire Asian contingent of this thread, including Dernhelm, has gone AWOL. In all fairness, there is not too much happening right now. Hopefully they will all be back from their New Years break to explain these videos to us.

I also agree with mumf, It is probably too late but I also wish Sasaki and the JFA would line up some more friendlies. This team needs practice time together especially when you see all the games these other national teams seem to be playing.

 

Yes, a couple of the players brought out lyrics sheets. The cheer section stopped singing and started swaying with the players as the players sang to the cheer section. Thought that was a nice touch.

Does Hinamoto always play through the bracket opposite Junshin and Tokiwagi?

 

I should add that in the other D1 games of interest yesterday, Saki played the full 90 in OL's demolition of Issy (0-9), and Guingamp defeated Arras 2-0, but Otaki Ami was not part of the squad (either as starter or on the bench) so not sure what's up there..

I can't say I blame them -- the Nadeshiko League season is over, the National Team does not have another fixture of any sort before March, and we are reduced to covering high school games and the decidedly limited doings of overseas players... I feel like taking a holiday myself..

 

Backstage with #HomareSawa at The #BallondOr pic.twitter.com/SpcLQ0GwHD

— FIFA (@FIFAcom) January 12, 2015

 

She has always been chosen by Sasaki for squads when available, but starts much less. I think she's a dead-cert for the squad simply because if Frankfurt keep playing her, even as a sub, well that's one of the richest clubs in the world and it shows she hasnt lost it. Besides, who else....

Its definitely seeded and these three were in the top four last year. So no surprise they could not meet before the SFs.

Probably just an EU work permit, and I remember that it took Tanaka and possibly Asano time to appear too. Besides, that is a strong slub, about as high as MHSC nowadays, so she has a few weeks of training to blend in.

Close thing, Kessler only got 17% of the votes. I saw a published article where Vero Boquete claims that players are wondering why Wambach is even in the top 10. Not pulling punches....
By the way Sasaki was within a few votes of coming 2nd in coach-of-the-year.

The Puskas Award for Best Goal generated a lot of interest, the sole female is Irish and was up against two WCup goals (last 3 shortlist from 10 goals originally). There was clearly an Irish / WoSo "campaign" to get votes, but so too had the Colombians, a far bigger country, and James R won with 42% v 33% ........ still she got 3x the 11% that the "iconic" Robin Van Persie headed goal (v Spain, 1st round) achieved.
And she turned famous heads...... ....and so much for CR v Messi hatred rumours.