Apparently, defensive players don't often get their own thread... So, it's the Kumagai page! To ask you such profound questions as a) Why is she good? and b) How come she can only get most people's attention if she does something like score the final penalty to win the Women's World Cup? (img: Allan Patrick, cc-by-sa) Or the final penalty to win the Champions League www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vjyoWHy2cw Or when she heads the goal that wins the title or whatever Or possibly when she captains her country in a home Olympic tournament? [NOT YET CONFIRMED] ... (I mean, the Olympics aren't) 熊谷紗希、なでしこジャパン主将が東京五輪もけん引 www.nikkansports.com/soccer/news/202011260000202.html
At the moment, I'll just quote the most renowned OL observer from these boards: Somewhere around here it has also been said that Kumagai is one of those essential players who really make OL team "tick". I don't remember which international who had a short stint at OL once said that before joining the team she had a very different idea of OL-key-players, but from the inside she could say that Kumagai was one of the three top players OL couldn't do without. Little-known tidbit: I have a Kumagai's autograph I collected at Algarve Cup 2012.
Saki Kumagai stats from Juventus 2 -3 Lyon (1/16 UWCL) "Saki Kumagai had 100% accuracy on tackles (4/4), leading also on tackles won." "Saki Kumagai missplaced only 6 passes (60/66)" - 90% pasing accuracy "Saki Kumagai is so SO important moving the ball forward for Lyon. Yes, most of the passes are not 100% forward but how she helps with her movement and vision to create the web is really good." - NWSL Analitica 1336758755862728714 is not a valid tweet id 1337125628726882304 is not a valid tweet id
The most common explanation is old story: because she's too much precious to Nadeshiko Japan as a Center-Back and, as many slip-ups as she can have in that role because less used to it, Japan don't have any other CB that's half as reliable as her. With Mizuho Sakaguchi and Rumi Utsugi by now out of the question, though, and with other younger Central Midfielders not always up to the task, she could be tried in the Midfield, at least occasionally, in NT also.
I guess Minami and Doko partnership (or Minami and Miyake) could push Kumagai into higher midfield role. But then what about Hina Sugita? She's excellent DMF but in scenario with Kumagai as DMF she drops to the bench. Same goes for Miura. Half of NT are Beleza and INAC players - Miura and Sugita day by day club teammates. Relationships on the pitch between them and other NT players are already forged in clubs. It's hard to imagine Kumagai directing Japan's midfield while she is playing overseas.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for her next season with Bayern, may she finally get this long overdue Ballon d'Or. art by Marcelo Murata.
(photo: Sophie drx) Ton départ m'affecte beaucoup car pour moi tu es INCROYABLE dans tous les sens du terme.Tes valeurs sont HORS NORMES donc je tenais à te REMERCIER pour ces 8 merveilleuses années à tes côtés. #MASAKISAN❤ pic.twitter.com/4rS9xOlAhw— Wendie Renard (@WRenard) June 6, 2021 "Saki Kumagai va définitivement quitter notre D1 féminine. Nous perdons un exemple de professionnalisme et une joueuse avec une mentalité au top. Saki c'est le football que j'aime Bonne aventure à elle en Allemagne" - Jessica Houara (Consultante CANAL + || Ex Footballeuse Équipe de France || Contact: jessica@hos.agency) Après huit années à l'Olympique lyonnais, Saki Kumagai a fait ses adieux au parc OL pic.twitter.com/B5JOG6mAFY— BFM Lyon (@BFMLyon) June 7, 2021 "Tout le respect nippon de Saki Kumagai, la joueuse de OL feminin qui dit au revoir à sa façon au stade où elle a gagné 19 titres dont 7 D1Arkema et 5 @UWCL! Direction FC Bayern frauen Cela en dit long des valeurs d une joueuse saluée par toutes ses coéquipières ! Chapeau" - Jay Edward (Correspondant RMC Sport sur Rhône Alpes ... Et ses environs ....) "Il y a plusieurs manières de laisser 1 empreinte indélébile dans un grand club. Mais cette image puissante, d'une élégance folle, restera, pour toujours, dans l'Histoire de l'OL." - Stephane (Créateur puis Directeur du Musée de l'Olympique Lyonnais. Secrétaire Général Adjoint.) "This pic of Saki San sums her up really well. Worked hard to be one of the best midfielders in the world, achieved all there is to achieve in world football and still carries the humbleness of someone just starting out. A true legend & an end of an era at Lyon" - Yash (Hala Madrid Y Nada Mas || Women's Football appreciator || Let's stop hate, Together!!) Next Stop: FC Bayern Munchen 🗣️ CAMPEONES, CAMPEONES OLÉ, OLÉ, OLÉ! 🔴⚪️#MiaSanMeister pic.twitter.com/N4LtCGFFkP— FC Bayern Frauen (@FCBfrauen) June 6, 2021 Herbert Hainer (Präsident): „Chapeau! Ich finde das absolut toll. Wenn man in einer Saison von 22 Spielen 20 gewinnt, dann hat man es mehr als verdient. Es sind nicht nur die Siege, es ist die Art und Weise, wie die Frauen spielen. Das ist schon toll und deswegen sind sie absolut verdient deutscher Meister. Wenn man heute gesehen hat, auf welch hohem technischen Niveau und mit welcher Physis gespielt wird, dann muss man sagen, hat sich der Frauenfußball unheimlich entwickelt. Ich habe immer gesagt, dass wir nicht nur in Deutschland sondern auch in Europa spitze sein wollen. National haben wir das jetzt geschafft und international wollen wir den Weg natürlich noch weiter gehen.“ Kumagai Interview: „Ich möchte mit Bayern die Champions League gewinnen!“