The flow of this game was so weird. Japan absolutely played Brazil off the pitch until the first goal, which was like Brazil's first trip anywhere near our box. Then it was very even for the rest of the half. In the second half Japan came out completely discombobulated. I wonder if Kawaguchi was suffering from cramping. The subbing out of Akino caused us to completely lose any defensive structure to the midfield, and Brazil started carving right through. They realized that they could just run at us because the Japanese formation had caved and there was no support, it was all isolation battles which of course favors the Brazilians. Brazil could have scored foive or so in the second half, but after three they took their foot off the gas and that was a big mistake, because once Japan got their bearings back they really started taking it to them. Then Brazil decided to ride it out and sit deep and that was even worse for them because we completely controlled the ball again, which made our players comfortable and confident for the final push. In the end two quality saves from their keeper proved essential to them pulling out the win. Wild, wild match.
Well defeat is always dissapointing but this was probably the most likely outcome. They wer going to score 1 or 2 at least so if we were to win we needed 2 or 3 goals at least. Thats hard by any standard right.
Painful. In a way it was a repeat of last summer's World Cup. Japan was great, but lacked a little of resolve. In any case, another great achievement for Japanese football, thanks boys!
Nakajima was huge. As soon as he came in, he made things happen. His controls, his ball control, Yoshitake was very clever to use him despite a very difficult first game against Jamaica (which probably put him on the bench once for all)
You know guys, I ll be keeping track of this topic from now on to wait and see who they play next and I ll be waiting for this young boys to make their debuts for their J-League teams. By the way. Are those guys who are still playing for high school and university teams going to be playing in this years Emperors Cup? If so do you believe it will be possible to watch?
The game flow change after minamino subbed off? yes another unlucky event for Japan, +1 with hit the bar shot by Ishige
Although I am disappointed with the loss I am absolutely blown away by the determination of these boys. There is definitely a change in mentality that did not exist before in Japanese players. In the past if it was 3-0 it would have stayed that way or maybe even gotten worse. The players would have definitely quit and gone home frustrated. These kids have the fight and determination to succeed at the highest level. Zac showed us the power of positive thinking at the Asian Cup and these kids are continuing it. I can't wait until the next U-20 World Cup. Without a doubt there are other kids that weren't selected who will surprise us even more.
If you didn't have a tear in your eye when you saw those kids crying at the end then you have no heart. I felt so guilty after the match ended as if it was my fault they lost. Don't worry! You still have plenty of time to show the world what you can achieve!
Next Musashi? The GK..... Please be a God. His name is Teimoshi Shiroka and he will be in the cycle for the next U-17 WC as he is a member of the U-15's right now. The current U-15's also have a similar CB pairing to Ueda-Iwanami. Shunsuke Sugiyama-185 cm Kosuke Miyashita-184 cm Also Yoshitake is the coach of the U-15's so he'll probably be in charge again at the next WC.
Next U20 and U17 in 2013? Well I wouldn't recommend holding your breath for 2 years We have to worry about qualifying first. There's also AFC U19 thing next year.
If they can't get out of their group for the U-19 qualification then it would be quite embarrassing. Their group is: S Korea Japan Thailand Hong Kong Guam Taiwan By the way, qualification starts in October. I will definitely have my eye on Kubo.
Alternatively, we are so sick of the Koshien-style weep-sploitation hype that we just sigh in exasperation wondering whether the kids are putting on a show for the cameras, or are just conditioned culturally to do it.
Sorry, but I was once one of those kids before. Every time I see something like that I think about my own childhood and experiences. When you're a kid nothing else matters, but the sport. You think about it everyday and it hounds you. Nothing else matters. I was one of those kids and if that was me on the field I would be crying too.
Far be it from me to tell anyone when they can and can't cry. I'm a sucker for melodramas myself. I was merely responding to your statement that there is something wrong with anyone who doesn't cry at the "losing Japanese youth team collapses in sobs" trope. There are very sound reasons not to, although those who prefer to shed a tear with them, that's fine with me too.
Guys, will those kids like Ueda, Muroya, Suzuki... who play for High schoool teams be featuring in these year Emperor's Cup? And if so, will we be able to watch it?
first of all, be patient ... teams like that have to QUALIFY for Emperors Cup first and from history we know its RARELY that a High School team will manage to get into Emperors Cup first round (edit: actually dont really know if they usually participate in the regional qualifiers that much???), its mostly University teams + lower clubs then, IF they made it somehow, first round (without J1 and J2 teams) no livebroadcasting VERY likely (if they do as previous seasons), 2nd round entering J-League teams MAYBE 1 live game (last year Reds vs Tokyo International University was live in 2nd round for example), after that its the end for those teams usually anyway
I guess the All Japan High School tournament will provide more footage to watch regarding these players, if their schools make it through prefecture qualification?
Yeah it's supposed to be but you know these squads disband after a big competition anyway and some players move around to form the next one. Kinda obvious but this article confirms it anyway. http://www.daily.co.jp/newsflash/2011/07/04/0004238884.shtml It won't be the whole same squad but it never is anyway. The idea is to raise new players on the back of somebody else's experience so expect to see many new faces.
http://www.defensacentral.com/real_madrid/59445/suzuki-mushashi-fichajesjapon-mundial-sub-17-coulibaly--- Suzuki "Black Samurai" Mushashi, is linked with Real Madrid
All these kids are playing in either the Prince League or the U-18 Premier League. It is on a break right now due to the WC. It should start up once again soon. Unfortunately you can't really watch it unless you look for highlights on youtube.
Long highlights [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVISgCfImJM&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL"]YouTube - Japan vs Brazil LongDigest(1) (FIFA U-17 World Cup Mexico)‏[/ame] [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J_qdV1P9Cc&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL"]YouTube - Japan vs Brazil LongDigest(2) (FIFA U-17 World Cup Mexico)‏[/ame] [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29OPa0K7JiE&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL"]YouTube - Japan vs Brazil LongDigest(3)? (FIFA U-17 World Cup Mexico)‏[/ame]