To do that you need FWs that don't act like wussies in front of goal, or laugh when they should have scored.
I hope that Moriyasu can try someone else to partner Tomiyasu other than Yoshida, maybe Shoji and Ueda can be worth a try. Not really confident of Yoshida now, he seems a bit shaky in defence.
At this rate, the only way Japan wins against Iran is for Iranians to be overconfident and underestimate Japan. It's gonna be a tough battle.
Looking forward to the big clash in 4 days between two Asian giants! Iran and Japan are neck and neck, it could go either way.
Japan, despite going through a transition and coming to this tournament with a new team of sorts, are still collectively an experienced side which Iran will need to beat by making fewer mistakes and capitalizing on the few mistakes that Japan might make. So far in this tournament, Japan has not looked like it has felt the need to drive past 2nd gear and it has still managed to win all it matches. Some have been closer than many would have expected (e.g. against Vietnam); some seemed fortunate and marred by poor officiating (e.g., against Oman) and others have been rather uncharacteristic of Japan stylistically and have been rather ugly (e.g., against Saudi Arabia). But for the most part, the Japan I saw seemed to win these games without sweating much and without exerting itself too much. It was as if Japan was saving its energy for the final rounds, including for its expected semifinal clash against Iran. For that reason, and because of Japan's experience, pedigree, and football savvy, I am sure no one from Iran will underestimate Japan. Most Iranian fans know quite well that if they slip, Japan will likely punish us and that the Japanese are less likely to slip than the defenders we met from China tonight and others in this tournament. I hope Iran wins, and we certainly have a good shot of beating Japan, but we will need to be at our best and be as focused and error free as possible.
Sneijder goal was delivered after an handball too. With VAR that Okada Japan should have finished the Worldcup conceding 0 goal.
Japan has the players needed to beat Iran even without Nakajima. this team wins without playing too hard they save their energy for the semi-final. you will see Japan will win.
qatar won against korea xavi is right ? https://www.foxsportsasia.com/tachyon/2018/12/xavi-asian-cup.jpg?w=960
So far Qatar is in the semis and it could be possible that we'll look at an all arab affair unless Australia keep their good record against the emiratis.
That's master class wizardry right there, unless there is something fishy going on behind the scenes lol
After watching all the games so far one thing is for sure, not calling up Kamada was a huge mistake. The team needs someone who is a clinical finisher like him. He would not have been a starter, but he would have been a very good option off the bench.
Captains in this team outside Yoshida I'm not sure. None of the attacking players. In the long term future I think about where Tomiyasu and Schmidt will be. I remember when Hasebe became captain I thought it was out of absolutely nowhere at the time he didn't seem like a vocal leader type.
I think that Tomiyasu should be groomed as the next captain. He has a similar "majime" attitude that Hasebe does. He might not be captain material right now, but I think that he can grow into the role. Shoji might be a good option also.
Maybe Shoji but he needs to grow up a little bit. Yeah Tomiyasu has a lot hanging on his head at the moment. Give him 4 years, 30 caps as a regular starter and maybe a World Cup and see how he looks. Its nice that in the next 3 years there's a fair few decent CB options growing up.
Vietnam did a great job and the group is really young. They'll have a good run for 2022 WC, but I think also for 2026 (especially if the dreadful expansion will take place). I thought about it before the start of tournament. I'm more and more convinced while the tournament goes to the end.
I'm sure he'll be an option. Especially if J. League won't stop in the summer and Moriyasu is forced to take an all-European based JNT to Brazil for Copa América.
It's already a miracle we have three-four options as CB in the next decade instead of lonely Yoshida.
I really like Yoshida. Had some great games in the WC but tends to not be that good as he can be in the nt.
Iran has the players to beat Japan as well but the problem is that Japan is more experienced at this stage of the competition. For example, although Iran qualified to the World Cup 5 times in the history and finished third place at the Asian Cup twice from 1996 to now, but the last time we reached to the Final of Asian Cup was 43 years ago. On the other hand Japan reached to the final of Asian Cup three times in last two decades and also won all those three finals. Second, Taremi is suspended for the next game. Although we have good squad depth and good replacements for him such as Ghoddos, Torabi, etc. but It would have been nicer if we could have everyone for this game. Note that we missed many players for this Asian Cup due to injury such as Ezatolahi, Moharrami, Gholizadeh, Kaveh Rezaei, Ali Karimi, etc. On the other hand, Japan has no suspended and injured players for this game. On the paper, Japan is favorite but the favorites do not always come out as winners. IMO our first priority should be not conceding any goal. I am also curious how Japan will start the game. Will they go all out attacking? I think they will start attacking. This is what I think at the moment. At the moment I think we should start with counter attacking football.