Miyaichi had one breakout season in the Eredivisie coming from high school, Takefusa Kubo plays in La Liga. Reality check. Nakai does not play for Castilla, he is a 2003. There are no 2003 regulars in Castilla.
I believe Moriyasu still considering him as his first-choice player in this position, regardless of his form.
Kubo is 19 not 16 as well , and at 19 superstars are already superstars. Or look like it. Kubo isn't and doesn't. He's an early bloomer that then doesn't step up much further. Instead of a shoe in for Qatar 22 he'll be a fringe player. The whole media circus around him in Japan though isn't his fault, even if the play by play they do when he sits on the bench (Kubo looked to the right! Picked his nose! Laughed with the guy next to him! Seems in a good mood!) makes any sane person go crazy and hope he disappears... Japan Korea was a very good display by Japan. No idea how good the Korean line up was, how far from the best they can offer, but in the end they were completely outplayed. Good Osako, encouraging after his problems in Germany. Ito... I still don't see it, he started off well, but then after a while pretty much reverted to his usual self, which I generally find unimpressing. It's nice to have a real pure winger for once, but Ito just isn't all that good IMO. But ok, I'm more or less resigned to the fact that it will be Doan/Ito on the right... Japan could do better, but that's what Moriyasu seems to like. For mysterious reasons, at least to me. Mongolia yesterday, well, not much to say. Even Asano managed not to waste his chance, too bad, more of his wasting the sooner Moriyasu drops him. He's ok against Mongolia, out of his league even just one level up. But scoring over 10 for once is nice anyway. Not too sure about how Moriyasu played these 2 games. Even if the results were good. Sasaki again vs Korea... does he really plan with that waste of space until the WC? On the other hand he tests out 2 guys on the right, where Japan with Sakai and Muroya is set. Yamane did well, yes, can be an option, Matsubara can't say much, it was Mongolia.... but instead of testing out players on the right he might consider doing that on the left, where there actually is a need for somebody. Because Sasaki just isn't it, and Nagatomo at his age... Ogawa looked well vs Mongolia, but again, it's Mongolia. Bring him vs Korea. Or go with the 3 back... testing more right backs but Sasaki on the left just seems a waste. Osako both games, normally I'd say too much, let him rest, but since he does that in Germany right now, good to have him play a lot. And I think probably letting Tomiyasu to the Olympic team would have made sense. Test out others, at least for the reserve spots. Starting duo is set there too Tomiyasu-Yoshida, let others play, get them used to playing with Yoshida. Just in case... Missed Oshima, but I guess he's injured once again? Would have liked to see him here, but well.... Morita did well enough, but he's another type of player Japan has more than enough to chose from. Let's see who Moriyasu nominates for June... what supporting cast for the great star of the team Sasaki he brings next.
I feel sorry for Mongolia's keeper. He actually made a load of good stops, but he was overwhelmed with the chances Japan had.
Mongolians have raped Japanese in sumo. It was time to take some revenge on them. My respect for them who played with fair play spirit until the end with that scoreline. The biggest positive during the series was Morita. Moriyasu is a wanker if he still regards Shibasaki as a starter. Endo, Morita, Tanaka and Hashimoto should be ahead of him in the pecking order. Even Ideguchi has refound his best form back in J-League.
All in video and ambient sound. We knew it would be a one-way affair, and I enjoyed seeing Japan finishing their chances. But I never thought I would ever see a more one-sided result in modern football than when San Marino got crushed by Germany. The Mongolian goalkeeper made some great saves indeed, but he was on his own.
I wouldn't be too upset about this result. It's nice that Japan has been efficient in front of goal for once.
No really sure actually. .. Which is why I'd have liked Moriyasu to try some other options. Who, no idea really. Some few names, all not very revolutionary Mitoma? Usually left I think, but try him on the right. I have the suspicion that a lot of his success comes from being part of the Frontale-machine, but his play last season (haven't seen anything this season yet) certainly was impressive enough to deserve a chance. Retry Kiyotake. Still better than Doan. And of course there's Haraguchi who doesn't need to be tried, pretty sure he's in Moriyasu's plans as a guy who can cover most offensive positions if there's a need. And yes, at this point I think Haraguchi starting there over Doan/Ito makes Japan stronger...
Serbia and Jamaica is the most probable opponents to play against Japan in June in the Kirin Challenge Cup, with Serbia almost confirmed. Serbia is coached by Dragan Stojikovic and managed to get a draw against Portugal in the 2022 WC qualifiers 2 months ago.
Some names would like to see in the next games: Ryuho Kikuchi (Vissel) Daiya Maekawa (Vissel) Onaiwu Ado (Yokohama) Katsuya Nagato (Kashima) Ryotaro Araki (Kashima) Yoshio Koizumi (Urawa) Keita Yamashita (Sagan)
The squads were announced earlier today. Motivation is sticking with his tried options. No new faces.
What a waste of time. Moriyasu sticking with his “tried and tested” because he knows what a terrible manager he is. At least he “played the big names” if results are bad. I can understand if there is an absence of domestic players in strong form... You wonder what exactly he is watching when he is sitting in the J League stands. And there is Yuma f*^%#! Suzuki...
He should swallow his pride and talk with Suzuki, what really happend? Yuma fcked his wife or something? Specially when he is the best Japan got.
Yuma could score a hat trick for Bayern and Moriyasu would ignore him. He will have to wait until the next manager comes in and he will be only 26 after the Qatar WC is completed.
No comments at all about the games? I still don't really get Moriyasu... Tajikistan, why this lineup? Why does he insist on playing the "starters" and the "reserves" separately? Tajikistan was basically the reserves, plus Minamino and Haraguchi. Central defence, ok, but why not have them play with Nagatomo and Muroya? Or at least one of them. Hashimoto+Kawabe, why not Morita who of the guys there is the most "starter" of all in that position and one of the other guys? In front ok, why not. That was ok, Haraguchi-Minamino and then Asano and Furuhashi. Of course Asano shoudn't even be in the squad, but since he's there, why not. Get the reserves used to play with the starters, or the first reserves this time around... My guess is we'll now see the "starters" vs Serbia? Nagatomo, Muroya, Morita, Ito, Kamada, if he recovers Osako. Hopefully then he benches Haraguchi at least, not because I don't like him, I do (even if he was not really convicing vs Tajikistan) but to get somebody the chance to play with the starters, get them to click.
Pretty boring game offensively against a pretty ordinary Serbia. Both teams looked pretty unmotivated which is fair enough.
Real question is why would you be motivated for the JNT when Moriyasu already picked his team for the WC six months ago… or unless you wear the purple jersey in the J League. He plays the same guys every time. We are F$&@ed if Osako, Nagatomo etc are injured because Moriyasu never bothered to give decent playing time to other players.
There's a problem, because a real change isn't happening. I wanted more J. Leaguers in these five games, but...