You know in 1 or 2 world cup's time we can make a youtube vid on "Japan missing open goals" lol. I'm most delighted that they came from behind twice.
Good game! Should have taken the lead but overall I’m happy with the result. Kawashima is a joke though. It’s not the first (and not last) time he makes an error like this. And still he’s no1, is there really no one better?
I have to disagree. It didn't lead to goals today, but Okazaki and Honda had a couple moments carving up that right flank. I thought Kagawa was a ghost today ? While Japan has always been good passing it around midfield, those 2 together show a willingness and ability to press the ball forward into dangerous territory. It's a change of pace from the slow buildup that wasn't there with Haraguchi and Kagawa. Usami is too precocious... still playing like he's 10 years younger at Jr. World Cup. Inui needs to play full 90, he's in good form, has the right ideas, on the same wavelength with teammates. The weakness of this team has never changed since I started watching them in 2006. Japan has never had a clinical #9. Defensive acumen comes and goes a bit, Midfield has always been a strength... but there has never been a true #9. I'm not talking somebody like Ibrahimovic; just a Reus. If they had a proper striker - just one - the goals would come so much easier. I don't know how, if ever, that gets fixed. In the meantime, Osako does a decent job holding up the ball to bring the abundance of quality AMFs Japan has into play... but as we saw several times, he's not able to finish himself.
I'm fine with it. He and #12 were the only players I really remembered for Senegal. Niang thought he was playing hockey out there. Japan played as a team. I would struggle to single out 1 player that changed everything for Japan (excepting Kawashima -_- )... and in the World Cup, you want a cohesive team more than living and dying by the ability of 1 or 2 stars.
Regardless of Colombia vs Poland match, Japan has to go for the win against Poland. We all know that historically Japan shocked when they play for a draw/in a play for draw situation (e.g. vs Colombia in the 2003 Confederations Cup, and vs South Korea in the last EAFF).
Totally agree, the team with him is other, he adds technique and experience to this team. He needs to be a starter in last game no matter what. Yes, Nakamura, but he doesn'nt play in Europe
I mean we could've done that years ago starting with Henagisawa epic dummy and finishing with Okuso missing goal after goal after goal - my favorite being the missed bicycle kick.
They showed courage and character that I don't think I've seen before among JNT players in the world stage.
I don't want him to start per say but just saying as a sub against a tiring team he's a fantastic sub to bring on. Also good expression of the phrase Class is Permanent.
I'm quite impressed as well with this. They didn't lose their cool when going behind and that was really nice to see. See them work their way out of certain match situations. I think this should give the team a lot of confidence that they could come from behind, and get 2 goals from open play. Also good warm up in a sense given the Poland players will have similar strength in their physicality.
Just wanted to highlight Shibasaki's match actually. On the first goal: 1010909232789536768 is not a valid tweet id This is some great Aoyama stuff and one of the reasons I kept wishing he'd be a starter.
Are you frcking serious? Kagawa was PERFECT in this match as in the previous: he is the only japanese who can dodge the tackles by Senegal giants using his turning/dribbling abilty while Inui was continously bullied and caused the counter for the second Senegal goal. Anytime Kagawa had the ball he NEVER lost it, not even 1 time, NEVER being shoved off/go prone, NEVER mistake a pass causing counters, he was always in the right spot doing the right move. He is mentally the faster of our player and the only one that seemed always comfortable with the ball on his feet even when he received a dirty/unpredictable pass. I hope with all my heart that Kagawa start against Poland, as a sub his usefulness halved while Honda is the perfect man for that role: since he can't properly run anymore, entering when the opponents are 8/11 tired it's fine and he can take advantage of their mental tiredness to assist/score too.
It is true that Japan lacks a good number 9 and Osako is not really a great goalscorer. But Osako did a great job by creating space for the other players and he was involved in several good combinations. He also used his body quite well against the Senegal defenders. Usami simply does not belong in this team as he is simply not good enough for this level. It should have been Nakajima instead who was the most in form player in europe. I do not mind that Honda was called up and that he was subbed in but he lacks space and speed and he slowed down the attack several times. Okazaki has a great workrate but his lack of form is pretty obvious. I do think that Kubo is able to offer more as an offensive player.
I wasn't trying to bash Osako so much as highlight the problem Japan has always had. He did well today, and I praised him earlier when he laid it all out to defend a stoppage time chance for Senegal. He's an improvement from previous strikers Japan has taken to WC, even while he has many of the same limitations - he knows his role, doesn't waste chances with stupid things like bicycle kicks, and is industrious in attack and defense. That's great but we had almost no penetration on the RH side until he and Haraguchi were taken out. When we did, it was only thanks to Sakai's legs. Shibasaki was the one pulling strings from where I sat. Hasebe getting himself stuck in. And all the penetration came from Inui and Nagatomo. It was a forgettable game for Kagawa. I never suggested he should be taken out. It happens with all attack minded players... especially ones that are internationally famous and will be gameplanned for.
Actually, Shibasaki and Shoji are the revelations of this tournament. Both of them might be the backbone of the JNT in the next WC cycle if they maintain and develop their skills and abilities. Both stepped up their game in the WC as: 1- Shibasaki who was previously fragile defensively and physically looked very solid and made up for his shortcoming. 2- While Shoji's composure, surging forward and slick passes made Yoshida looks bad, as if Shoji is the veteran and Yoshida is the newcomer.
If Japan wanna go through to the finals , this is the year. They can lose and still reach the finals. But they should play for the win of course.
I thought Usami did well when he came on. He tried to make things happen. Kagawa was quiet because he was tightly man marked which while frustrating left room for other players to play. Nagatomo has been good in both games and coped well with the pace despite being caught out a couple of times. Osako puts in so much effort and creates chances but has to start taking those chances. Hasebe classy as always,Nishino still can't put his earpiece in.