Official 2020 Nadeshiko Japan Thread [R] - なでしこジャパン（英語スレッド）

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports...n-falls-england-shebelieves-cup/#.XmZzFiUpDYU

This article in the Japan Times doesn't sound too damning...
But there is no opinion from the coaches, which I find interesting...Usually there is some comment from or about them.

 

JT is not a trustworthy paper anymore. They succumbed to the intimidation by the right-wing govt and became a prime minister Abe’s pet.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...sroom-at-storied-japanese-paper-idUSKCN1PI36V

 

Is this one of the articles you read through Google translation?

https://www.footballchannel.jp/2020/03/09/post366136/

 

Yes it was one of those I read. In my impression an author gives a bit skewed depiction of the match by attributing certain English chances only to the suppousedly superior tactics made by Neville while at the same time beeing oblivious to all other factors. Like for example individual errors coming from off-season lack of practice. On the other instance he is pointing to Shimizu injuring her ankle in an incident before the end of 1st half and forced change that came after.... while failing to recognize that this injury might have had a start in the first minutes of the match during action praised by him as English dangerous first chance on 1-0 by Hemp. Ref missed the foul. Shouldn't author show here benfit of a doubt to his own player? - enough to check again. He did opposite though praising good English play. It's like he's demanding/callin for excelence from Nadeshiko while failing to observe non-equal rules.Then on that ground and with simmilar tone he continues to sing praises toward English coach and hints about his careful planning and prepartion as opposed to Takakura values of players idependence. The irony is that Neville is faicing a lot of scrutiny himself lately which now is even bigger after the matches against USA and Japan. Fans and press aren't happy. Some outright call for his head, giving as one of many reasons that he doesn't know how to best use all the good players he have and that his tactics made England playing style medicore at best. For me author either didn't check or chose to ignore the resumee of both coaches as well. Because, and I am sorry to say (talking to our English fans) - Phill Neville's coaching achivements pale in comparision with Takakura's.

 

So you are saying the report is somewhat favorable because they don't want to appear to be critical of the team. That could be considered anti-japanese...

 

No, thats not what I suggested. The JT does not protect its independence from political and other pressures anymore, therefore 1) their coverage is not neutral and 2) they hide who are the external parties pressuring them.

 

BBC, UK media, appears to be more neutral on the game.

btw, what is the unique strength and quality of Takakura in your judgement?

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51787338

 

It does seem mild in comparision with Sophie Lawson's thoughts

The range of things considering her players to which Takakura as former player herself and most importantly as women coach is privledged upon - by shared experience alone - surely excedes preview of any male coach of women team.
She can tune closer to her players, be more precise with advice and pinpoint nuances faster. Yet it can be told about most of women coaches in this buissness as opposed to male ones as well. I dont know Takakura-person to form any opinions about her qualities (beeing those of her charcter or whatever else ) but I would imagine that some of her unique strengths come from beeing one of the pioneers of women proffesional football. A competent women, 7 years into the job in the field which is traditionally percived as "male temple". Constantly under the scope yet delivering cups and titles (with exception in France but they were wronged by ref error there) and with eyes of a nation focused on her in July again. The lady is one tough cookie who certainly inspire the others.

 

I changed linked article.

 

The English like to talk about "marginal gains" being the key to their success in various sporting fields. This is just more of that really. But to be fair the goal did come from good defensive pressure by an English player.

I worry quite a bit when Nadeshiko pass the ball out from the keeper centrally to either Miura or Sugita, because their next pass is often a back pass, which puts the receiving defender under pressure. Bad back passing is never good. It is early in the season, so people are a bit rusty, but Miyake is probably not used to having someone bear down on her so quickly.

The Spanish were also aware of this and caught Miura on the ball, which nearly resulted in a goal. But Miura has been caught this way playing for Beleza on several occasions. I think this is an area of concern for Nadesiko, but one that will be rectified when players are more into their season.

The article is way too focused on Neville and his opinion to be sure. Neville is also going to hype the "performance" and the "chances" created because he is under pressure. But the key point is that Nadeshiko have played England three times in a year and have not beaten them nor scored. It is a little worrying.

But I agree with you that the writer of the article is not really explaining the entire situation. But again I can kind of understand where he is coming from. Some of Nadeshiko's results have been pretty poor and at some point you have to ask the question when does the rebuilding actually finish?

As far as management goes Takakura has achieved way more than Neville, but she also had a pretty impressive group of players to achieve it with at junior level. I am starting to think that the under 20 manager Ikeda may be a better choice.

I personally believe she is way too focused on young players. It is great that Nadeshiko have some great young players, but there are some really good players between 24 and 30 who barely get a sniff of playing for Nadeshiko.

Sorry I wrote so much, but it is very slow at work today. I agree with what you are saying, but I am trying to give you a slightly different perspective.

 

The English like to talk about "marginal gains" being the key to their success in various sporting fields. This is just more of that really. But to be fair the goal did come from good defensive pressure by an English player.

I worry quite a bit when Nadeshiko pass the ball out from the keeper centrally to either Miura or Sugita, because their next pass is often a back pass, which puts the receiving defender under pressure. Bad back passing is never good. It is early in the season, so people are a bit rusty, but Miyake is probably not used to having someone bear down on her so quickly.

The Spanish were also aware of this and caught Miura on the ball, which nearly resulted in a goal. But Miura has been caught this way playing for Beleza on several occasions. I think this is an area of concern for Nadesiko, but one that will be rectified when players are more into their season.

The article is way too focused on Neville and his opinion to be sure. Neville is also going to hype the "performance" and the "chances" created because he is under pressure. But the key point is that Nadeshiko have played England three times in a year and have not beaten them nor scored. It is a little worrying.

But I agree with you that the writer of the article is not really explaining the entire situation. But again I can kind of understand where he is coming from. Some of Nadeshiko's results have been pretty poor and at some point you have to ask the question when does the rebuilding actually finish?

As far as management goes Takakura has achieved way more than Neville, but she also had a pretty impressive group of players to achieve it with at junior level. I am starting to think that the under 20 manager Ikeda may be a better choice.

I personally believe she is way too focused on young players. It is great that Nadeshiko have some great young players, but there are some really good players between 24 and 30 who barely get a sniff of playing for Nadeshiko.

Sorry I wrote so much, but it is very slow at work today. I agree with what you are saying, but I am trying to give you a slightly different perspective.

 

Japan ..11th March 2011......We remember

 

Here, in the US, we did not feel much of the immediate emotional effect of that day. In fact, I am sorry to say, the coverage here was only geared toward sensationalism and the economics as it would impact the price of various items.

I was effected a little more and knew a little more because I had some friends in Japan and it was VERY hard to get in touch with them because of the communication problems that existed and my desire not to have a negative impact on the local relief efforts and/or the fragile internal communication system. Fortunately none of my friends were hurt or even displaced but they had friends that were.

But my strongest memory of that year was Japan's subsequent play at the WWC in Germany. The team seemed to play well above themselves in spite of the crises still going on in many ways. In every match they played, except the final, I watched with almost the same intensity as I felt in the US matches, except the final.

In the final I was torn between the two and I felt the 2-2 draw was. probably, the correct result. When the shootout started it seemed that the Japanese team just bore down even more and won it on heart even more than skill.

I felt that they deserved the cup and I felt it would bring some joy back to their injured home. Subsequent conversations with my friends in Japan told me that, indeed, they did help raise the level of joy of many back home.

I am actually glad the match is being played on the anniversary of the disaster and I hope that not only Japan but also the US and everyone in the stadium acknowledges the great heart that Japan and their soccer program showed during that year of pain for the people of Japan.

 

She Believes F.T..........England 0 Spain 1
Interview

Phil Neville says he accepts full responsibility then in the next breath says he expects more from his players (ie it's down to the players)

 

Heh, hope Neville's has a thick skin cuz he will get some lashing tonite from Albion fans.

 

Miyake, Kumagai, Minami, Doko....that's bold

 

I think Miyake has some experience of FB in Inac, but I don't know about the other three.

 

No 'gifts' please....Assuming we ain't gonna score a 0 0 draw would seem like a great result.

But somebody once said ....always expect the unexpected....
Fasten your seatbelts for another Nadeshiko Rollercoaster ride

 

Well if you look at the squad who else is she going to play at the back? Miyagawa I suppose who actually could play at left back. But this squad only has six defenders! Well seven if you include Jun Endo.

I am glad they are having problems at the back, because it might make Takakura think about the back line a bit more. I mean she has stacked the midfield, but barely used any of the players while only brought six defenders and had to use all of them.

I would have liked to have seen Ueki on the left with Nakajima back to the right. But we will see how it goes today. I expect Nadeshiko to play a bit better, but it will not be enough.

 

USNWT wearing their shirts inside out (protest)

 

any link?

 

Actually Tanaka is playing on the right with Momiki up front!

 

http://freestreams-live1.com/espnnews/