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

Discussion in 'Japan' started by blissett, Jan 1, 2020.

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  1. pierre bezukhov

    pierre bezukhov Member+

    AC Milan
    Japan
    Mar 7, 2018
    Japan
    I think you are right. I like this style of refereeing, because players can use their body as well to get the ball. I also like it because it means strikers or attacking players can't just run into a defender and get a free, which happens all the time in the men's game.
     
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  2. sbahnhof

    sbahnhof Member+

    Nov 21, 2016
    Aotearoa

    Some may look back happily to the Good Old Days of 3 weeks ago... especially Beleza fans.

    But now, things have changed. Times are hard, and I worried that I couldn't even find 1 Japanese goalscorer for the September league roundup. Well, here they are!

    WK-League: Japanese Goal Round-up

    youtu.be/ovZxu-w_sQg&t=54m20s
    [​IMG]


    The End

    But goals aren't everything... 2nd in the league, Gyeongju KHNP won a sensational 2-0 victory in rain at Incheon (1st), where no away team had won since 2017. If Asuna Tanaka's team can continue this form against the 7-time champs, and reach November's final, they'll have a chance of the Korean title. On Thursday they were lucky to beat Madoka Haji's club Suwon (3rd), just 1-0.

    Hwacheon KSPO's captain Yoshimi Natsuki and striker Fumina Katsurama were involved in the first postponement this season, when a teammate fell ill with fever - thankfully not Covid-related. They played the game a day later, a 2-0 win v Sejong.

    Hwacheon needs to make up a 4-point gap to steal the playoff place from Suwon, with 7 games to go now.
    Today it's Incheon v Suwon, and Hwacheon v Seoul (09:00 GMT, 18:00 JST).

    New Zealand: There'll be no more league action in 2020 for Western Springs or their Japanese duo - the rest of the Northern Region season is cancelled due to the recent outbreak and partial lockdown in Auckland.

    I guess I don't have any highlights to show, but this announcement kinda sounds like a football thing...

    [​IMG]
     
  3. KAPIJXM

    KAPIJXM Member+

    Nov 18, 2011
    Illa de Arousa,Spain
    Club:
    Celta de Vigo
    Nat'l Team:
    Japan


    3 points - Matsumoto vs. Nojima
    2 points - Tanaka vs. Beleza
    1 point - Ueno vs. Nojima
     
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  4. blissett

    blissett Member+

    Aug 20, 2011
    Italy
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    It seems to me that there were quite some defensive horror-shows this week. o_O I dare to say that, in a serious match, no-one of the goals in Cerezo-Vegalta should have ever happened and I guess (as @KAPIJXM correctly pointed out earlier) Iga's GK let them down her team-mates quite a bit, this week (by the way, since last week I had noticed how Ami Sugita's FK had been basically unbeatable, this week's FK by Naomoto is a perfect example of a FK that shouldn't have gone in instead, for a variety of reason: the wall wasn't perfectly placed and didn't jump at all, the GK dove low and awkwardly letting the ball spill into goal and such).
    There is not much remaining and I guess I can say we didn't see Goal of the Season, this week. My choice is anyway the following:

    1) Mami Ueno in Ehime FC Ladies vs Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara (a diving header is a diving header and this one was quite good; also, it was the equalizer at the one-to-last minute of a hard-fought game);

    2) Mina Tanaka in Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza vs INAC Kobe Leonessa (the action was central and originated from a mistake in the midfield by Beleza players, but it was anyway quite neat, especially for Moeno Sakaguchi's lob-assist);

    3) Haruka Osawa in JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies vs Albirex Niigata Ladies (the timing of captain Setoguchi's long drive, or at least I assume it was her, from quite deep into her own half was perfectly coordinated with Osawa's run: a simple but well executed action).
     
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  5. Manchester Nadeshiko

    Ehime F.C. Ladies
    Japan
    Mar 26, 2017
    U.K.
    Ueno..............3pts
    Tanaka..........2pts
    Matsumoto...1pt
     
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  6. unepommekun

    unepommekun Member+

    Beleza
    Japan
    Mar 26, 2018
    1. Tanaka
    2. Ueno
    3. Sonoda
     
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  7. Lechus7

    Lechus7 Member+

    Aug 31, 2011
    Wroclaw
    Goal of the week contest.

    Choose three best goals from each round and award it with points:

    the best - 3pts
    2nd best - 2pts
    3rd best - 1pts

    9th round highlights (it's 10th round schedule)

    My pick:

    Ueno vs. Nojima
    Sonoda vs. JEF
    Michigami vs. Urawa

    Current standings:

    Ueno................12 pts
    Tanaka..............9 pts
    Matsumoto.......4 pts
    Sonoda..............3 pts
    Michigami..........1 pt
    Osawa................1 pt

    voted by: KAPIJXM, blissett, Manchester Nadeshiko, unepommekun, Lechus7,
     
  8. TabascoT

    TabascoT Member

    Dec 1, 2011
    San Francisco, California
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  9. Kakeru

    Kakeru Member+

    Manchester United
    Japan
    Feb 22, 2016
    Montréal, QC, Canada
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Japan
    Another European transfer season has come to an end (or is about to come to an end; can't remember the dates for all leagues). Once again, we have not seen many players from our favorite Nadeshiko joining the European leagues out there when such moves should be helping them to compete against many of the best girls out there.

    When the transfer window was open for the FA WSL, I was hoping that a few Nadeshiko Japan players would try their luck in there. As a Manchester United fan, I'm over the moon at the signings of Tobin Heath and Christen Press to bring valuable experience. I'm sure the Tottenham fans feel the same with Alex Morgan right now. BUT as a Nadeshiko fan, I'm disappointed by the lack of movement from our girls. I know that there are restrictions in the number of non-EU citizens can join clubs in Europe, but I wish our girls could start forcing moves abroad a little more.

    Considering that we all want our Nadeshiko to get better, where do you stand? Even if the Nadeshiko might get a full-fledged professional league in a near future, the success of the national team goes through playing against the best almost week in and week out. Since we are nowhere near getting that level of competitiveness in the Nadeshiko League, what do you make of this lack of overseas transfer activity involving those who must represent Japan at the next major competition?
     
  10. Twistal

    Twistal Member

    NTV Beleza
    Feb 3, 2018
    Considering this current COVID situation, it's probably better to play in Japan than risk it and go abroad. Spanish season was moved from the original date, USA league is a disaster etc. I can understand Momiki going to Seattle, this is a very big team under Lyon umbrella as well, but unless it's a big club, no point to risk it now.

    p/s Momiki went to Sweden, got injured immediately... Not a fan of watching Japanese players in such leagues as Sweden, England, even Germany etc with a lot of physical football involved. I don't think that those leagues will help to make Japanese players stronger, but this can actually kill them instead.

    p/p/s Nadeshiko lost even more positions in my book from watching this season in the Japanese league. All experienced veterans look not that good. Beleza core looks poor as well. Doko - Shimizu injured. Shark is injured as well. But Sugasawa plays well! The only problem is, Sugasawa plays well against physically weak defenders. Put her against England, USA, Sweden, German, French defenders, different story, she will probably be pushed around by them.

    Not even sure how Japan can win a game of "soccer" nowadays against such big teams...Seriously, no idea...
     
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  11. blissett

    blissett Member+

    Aug 20, 2011
    Italy
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    I mostly agree with @Twistal about the fact that a lot of leagues are right now disrupted by the covid situtation and that in this particular season is anyway safer to stay in Japan (since the players have a full season to play there instead!).

    I don't necessarily agree with @Twistal about the decline of Nadeshiko League (and the consequent inevitable decline of our NT), although of course we already had our fair share of bad games and awkward defending in this year's league (I was pointing out yesterday how the goals in Cerezo-Vegalta had been depressingly bad). I definitely agree about the fact that FWs who score a lot in Nadeshiko League, as Sugasawa or Mina Tanaka, aren't necessarily able to do the same on the international stage, and this is a big problem for Japan. We'd need FWs with an international experience (and that's why I like the fact that Yokoyama and Momiki went overseas, although the Sweden's move costed Momiki a bad injury, and I would like if Nagasato, despite her age, could come back to NT for at least a pair years).

    About the fact that FA WSL is now filled to the brim with US talent, I'd say this is more a by-product of the fact that NWSL didn't have a real season, than an actual sign of the level/attractiveness of the English league. I could bet that, as soon as NWSL will resume regular play in the USA, most of these players are going to come back to their homes. It's probably the main reasons indeed why our players didn't consider England at the moment: in a so confused international health situation, they have a competitive league at home; it's not like they're forced to expatriate to play, as it happens to US players.
     
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  12. KAPIJXM

    KAPIJXM Member+

    Nov 18, 2011
    Illa de Arousa,Spain
    Club:
    Celta de Vigo
    Nat'l Team:
    Japan
    Well, male japanese NT have many players overseas and their level is more or less the same as 10 years ago. In fact I think this is the reason the J-League is devaluated today. So, is not strictly neccesary to have all WNT players overseas, if not, the Nadeshiko League would lost interest.
     
  13. sbahnhof

    sbahnhof Member+

    Nov 21, 2016
    Aotearoa
    [​IMG]

    Yup

    Did the Nadeshiko League have a lot of foreign players before? They're hoping for something similar now, says an article about the new WE League:

    "One step toward rebuilding Japan’s reputation as a women’s soccer power will be importing foreign talent who can raise the level of domestic players — a strategy the L. League successfully utilized in its early years." - (The Japan Times, 'WE League chair plots ambitious, progressive path for women's game' / Archive)
     
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  14. unepommekun

    unepommekun Member+

    Beleza
    Japan
    Mar 26, 2018
    I feel sad to hear that, because I'm also an ardent J-League follower.:cry:
     
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  15. Lechus7

    Lechus7 Member+

    Aug 31, 2011
    Wroclaw
    #1340 Lechus7, Sep 16, 2020
    Last edited: Sep 16, 2020
    During brief period in pre-2000 at the peak of the league popularity then, Japanese clubs were able to attract players like Linda Medalen - 1995 World Champion with Norway(156 caps 64 goals).

    Signing popular players it's a must for any pro-league. Sponsors love to see it as fans are drawn to it (even if said player price isn't on par with her skills). You all think Morgan will made a difference in next week game for Spurs? - it's doubtful. What is making a difference that's thousands of her fans who followed Spurs club page in an overnight.

    Mewis and Lavelle are good singnings both on and off field, they will made difference for their clubs (if they survive long Euro season) Press also - she is a veteran of Euro-leagues but Heath has more value as a fan magnet thus I expect her as impactful sub option.

    On topic of Nadeshiko League imho we are selling it short. This league is top 5-7 in the world. People often take suggestion from rankings like Guardian (which is a joke btw - I have lot of respect for the workload done by Laverty and girls from Offside Rule podcast for seting it up but their "experts" are 10% press and 90% fanboys/fangirls with theor own podcasts. (heck, their expert from Poland is a girl who thinks Heath is a godsend, Rapinoe was wronged for not beeing the 1st on that list and based on skill Lavelle should earn more than Hegerberg and Miadema combined. Oh, Saki Kumagai is ok to be in top 20 beacuse she's "cute")

    Something to ponder. Last year W-League was advertised as the best league in Asia. Local press draw similarities with FA WSL asking which is better, now when half NWSL was playing there. Then, at the end of the year Champion of W-League met Champion of Nadeshiko League.... and managed to only one shot in first 15 minutes beeing outplayed for whole 90 minutes and losing 5-0. I remember how stunned Aussie twitter was after it. I guess nobody wanted to listen Foord when she was saying beforehand that W-League fans are for a big surprise.

    Urawa, Beleza and INAC are on par with Barcelona, Chelsea, Lyon, Wolfsburg or PSG. It's not like they will outright win but in 5 matches between all of them everyone could end up with at least one win with other. Albirex could today play Juventus and more than on equal foot.

    Japanese clubs are 8th or 9th biggest recipient of money from FIFA club solidarity fund from last WWC in France (822 clubs form 39 countries). Beleza after Lyon and Barcelona is 3rd on that list.

    Just saying.
     
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  16. Twistal

    Twistal Member

    NTV Beleza
    Feb 3, 2018
    Excuse me, sir?

    Let me correct you if that's okay. Beleza, INAC and Urawa can beat anyone in the world, apart from Lyon, Barcelona, PSG, Wolfsburg, maybe Bayern, Chelsea, City, Courage.

    It's not possible to beat those TOP-4 for example. They stronger, they faster, they have all positions covered, they move the ball as good as Japanese players do and as everyone knows, they twice bigger, stronger and faster (repeating myself again).

    Have you seen what Sugasawa does to Japanese defenders? Do you know who plays in those top clubs at CF position? World beaters. Imagine what Sinclair can do in the Japanese league even at the age of 40, she doesn't even need to run...She can walk and finish all the crosses or hold the ball for wingers and then finish those crosses.

    The only way to outplay those teams/countries is to play a total possession game and press your opponent for the whole 90 minutes when you lose the ball. Again, do what Beleza does, but not a Beleza from this current season.

    As you probably know, there are levels at everything. Those TOP-4 clubs in Europe they got best footballers almost on every position. Japanese clubs? Well the amount of problem every club has, it's just scary... Look at Beleza defence, it's a disaster...As well as the National team as well...
     
  17. Lechus7

    Lechus7 Member+

    Aug 31, 2011
    Wroclaw
    Well, you've answered yourself here:
    the difference is, until Beleza actually play one of these teams we may only speculate if they are strong enough this season or not. (I guess next year - they or whomever win WE League - will get invitation to ICC tournament)
     
  18. Twistal

    Twistal Member

    NTV Beleza
    Feb 3, 2018
    Please, we already saw Spain against Japan, this was pretty much Barcelona against Beleza. Mind you, I think Barcelona is much much stronger than the Spanish National team. However, I am not even sure how much stronger the Japanese National team, comparing to Beleza. Well, I guess Iwabuchi and Kumagai make the biggest difference. Previous World Cup roster was formed from Beleza players plus a few veterans from other teams and equally bad defenders.

    Again, this season who really plays that high-level possession game inside the Nadeshiko League? Beleza is trying, who else? Because once Beleza is playing anyone, they all just sit back and waiting for mistakes from Beleza. Obviously, good for them (for those teams) however, very bad for the National team...

    Even when Beleza dominated everyone, other teams were still trying to play the same style of football as Beleza does, which is historically what Japanese players are famous for. Nowadays, it seems like other teams decided to play more pragmatic football which again, doesn't fit the National team style of football at all...
     
  19. blissett

    blissett Member+

    Aug 20, 2011
    Italy
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    Spain and Japan were quite dominant in most of the latest youth tournaments: which nation has the most talent coming down the pipeline? At U-17 WWC 2014 and at U-20 WWC 2018 the final was Spain-Japan and Japan won both, often with a lot of Beleza players on the pitch (at the U-17 WWC, Hasegawa, Kobayashi, Miyagawa; at the U-20 WWC in France, Ueki, Endo, Miyazawa, Miyagawa again...), while Spain had some notable Barça's player (Patri Guijarro, Aitana Bonmatì).

    Of course, senior teams are a different story, but it looks like at youth level we always had the talent so far that could grow into a team able to battle vs international opposition.

    At club level, it's true that Nadeshiko League doesn't attract foreign players, while Barça have all kinds of dream-team level stars (Graham Hansen, Oshoala, Martens...). I'd say it's not just a question of the level of the league itself (most European League's quality drops quite quickly after 4th-5th place), or of money invested (although it surely counts) but also the fact that Japan is geographically and culturally quite insulated and it's not easy to lure playersinto moving there. How much easier it is, for a US player, to cross the Atlantic Ocean and go to UK? They don't even need to switch language.
     
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  20. Twistal

    Twistal Member

    NTV Beleza
    Feb 3, 2018
    Well, that's another thing about professional sport. If you know, the difference between some youth age groups in football is super important. For example, 1 or 2 years difference between U16 and U18 is actually so big that you have to play/study this sport professionally to realize it. Japan has an excellent football academies/culture which works perfectly for the youth style of football. In addition, the physical difference at that age is not that big. Let's put it this way. Japanese (younger) players developing their skills much quicker than (European, African etc) other nations, but then they kind of slowing down tremendously in their development as football players, while other nations continuing to do so because those athletes still developing physically and adding more skills along the way.

    If you think about it, most Asian nations doing much much better at youth level comparing to a senior level later on. China, South and North Korea, Japan etc.
     
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  21. Kakeru

    Kakeru Member+

    Manchester United
    Japan
    Feb 22, 2016
    Montréal, QC, Canada
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Japan
    @Lechus7
    Beyond the quality of the league, one question we must all ask is this: Do we want our girls to be able to compete on any day and on any ground against the best of the best come the Olympics and the World Cup? And considering that the obvious answer would be "yes", my opinion is that the Japanese players need to learn and develop ways to defeat anybody from any other country (Americans, Europeans, Australians, etc.) by playing against them on a regular basis. Not only the players need to face those players, but also they need to know how to survive outside of their own comfort zone. Since Americans and Europeans are definitely not coming to Japan any time soon, the Nadeshiko need to come towards those who might well be their toughest opponents in the next big tournament.

    Since 1998 - the year when I formally became a football fan, I have seen France win 2 World Cups on the men's side because their top players learned things that they couldn't learn in France. Ligue 1 is barely coming of age as a tough cookie against their English, Italian, and Spanish counterparts. When I compare the situation with the women's game in Japan with the men's game in France, I see the parallels. The wealth in the talent pool is undeniable, but the top divisions have not provided the kind of playing field that would take players further in their development.

    As far as we're concerned today, the Tokyo Olympic tournament remains the biggest tournament of the girls' lifetimes. Because of that, I really expected them to try gaining the kind of experience that would help them further by the time when that first whistle gets blown in an international tournament.
     
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  22. Kakeru

    Kakeru Member+

    Manchester United
    Japan
    Feb 22, 2016
    Montréal, QC, Canada
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Japan
    If I may add to the previous comment, the project of improving the quality of the Nadeshiko League through importing some top names is great and I hope it will work. However, the project will not see fruition until a number of years because of COVID and the search for funding. With Tokyo 2021 still officially in the books, I think it is important that more players, who expected to be on the team next year, get the required experience to learn how to play against top opponents day in day out, be in training or in matches.
     
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  23. unepommekun

    unepommekun Member+

    Beleza
    Japan
    Mar 26, 2018
    Tomorrow's games:

    Nadeshiko League
    Iga vs Ehime 14:00

    Nadeshiko League 2
    Nittaidai vs Chifure 14:00
     
  24. sbahnhof

    sbahnhof Member+

    Nov 21, 2016
    Aotearoa
    Yes, yes, it's true... but on such a bad website... :(

    (By the way, I believe the correct spelling is "Mogan". Alex Mogan)

    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


    :confused: Well, they've made a simple geographical error there
     

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