I'd say Japan played 4 bad halfs so far. The second half vs Germany of course was great, but only result wise, but they were still outplayed by Germany. Watch that half and cut the Japanese goal scenes and you'd say it was horrible. Of course it's the goal and the final results that counts, so great result, but the level of play wasn't there. High pressing doesn't work against a team with Neuer in the goal who is more than comfortable with his feet (I had completely forgotten that too before the game...) and Japan was just pushed way too far back after an ok first 20-25 minutes. Second half with the change of formation was better, but it wasn't good by any means. But there is a clear game plan, and that's exactly the problem with this team. It's full reliance on speed (that's why an utter mediocrity like Ito is sometimes regarded as the star of the team) and no risk football vs weaker teams. Re-look at the second game vs Oman, it was exactly the same game plan as vs Costa Rica. Even more extreme in some ways. The whole first half Japan never ever took even the slightest risk, then turned up the intensity in the second half. There it worked for a 1-0 win, it didn't vs Costa Rica. Here of course the idea of not starting Mitoma hurt too. Kamada is good, but you can't turn a team that has little creativity into one that easily can break down a set defence with just one creative player. You needed somebody like Mitoma on the left too, you needed to allow Nagatomo to do runs on the left, you needed Yamane to go forward on the right, after all that is his strength. Not this wait for the second half tactic. And then IMO Doan probably works better too, have Mitoma+Kamada next to him, have Yamane overlap regularly, I have the impression he's a guy who's at his best when he's the third or 4th "creator" not when he's asked to be the leader or main difference maker. For the JNT he's been pretty horrible. But IMO has a future if Moriyasu's successor calls up more dribblers and passers. Now vs Spain... I still hope the counter game works here. And in games like this the defensive no risk approach DOES make sense. Don't go all forward in the first half, slow down the play, wait for chances to exploit Ito's and Maeda/Asano's speed. Have to admit not sure what the best lineup for this one is, go for some size with Ueda in front? Spanish defence isn't exactly tall. Go for the pressing speed? Maeda/Asano? Then Mitoma on the left? In theory here can see the argument of not starting him, unlike vs Costa Rica where he should have, 100%. Go for Minamino first, he won't create shit, but he's good at pressing, he is a proven scorer, even from the left if it's a pure counter game he can score. Just not Soma anymore, he shouldn't be in the team, much less starting. Then add Mitoma around the 60' if it's still 0-0 and Japan now needs to take more risks. Bah, we'll see.
Just like the current squad is better than 2018's, The 2026 squad will be way better than this one, no doubt about it.
I did something on BS Korea 4 years ago that worked- I made an oath to do something if Korea beat Germany. Motivated by this, it's time to make a pledge related to the Japanese language. I can speak it, but my Kanji knowledge isn't all that awesome. I hope to provoke the positive outcome in the game against Spain, and for that reason- I am starting to learn Kanji with renewed vigor. However, like a true, disorderly South Slav by blood, I'm not doing things by order. I knew the word しょうり (victory), but until today, not the kanji. So, I'm physically writing this word 10 times, and willing its meaning to happen. That's the first word. 勝利 !
I have a feeling that Japan will eventually qualify, remember my message! I will pray very hard for Japan's victory.
絶対に負けない！ どんなことをしても勝つサッカーだ！ Just to talk: do you think Furuhashi and Hatate will made any difference if available for Spain match?
If I may respectfully comment on them. Hatate would add great interception ability, but he would have been most useful against Costa Rica. Hard to mark because he floats around the field, and has a habit of taking long shots. Furuhashi is technically skilled and presses hard, but in Europe showed poor composure when presented with chances.
I know that, I was asking if there's someone left behind who could be useful to start or sub in Spain match.
In theory, Taichi Hara, because he is really tall, and this makes him a viable target man. But he's never been considered.
Furuhashi over Machino? No-brainer. Starter against Spain? Considering the likely options are Maeda/Asano/Ueda... I'd say yes. I'd have no problem starting him vs Spain. Or Osako... Hatate over Soma? No-brainer. No extra left winger needed if you have Mitoma and Moriyasu starting Kubo or often Minamino on the left wing anyway. Plus Hatate can play there too.
Agree on Hatate over Soma, not Furuhashi over Machino. Shuto is the tallest forward Japan have, while Furuhashi's competition are Asano and Maeda.
This man extinguished the little light of hope I had. He is so damn prepared and he fecking knows what he's talking about. I bet Flick didn't know a thing about japanese football (as his players) and he didn't care while this man knows well enough to beat us. The way he called Kubo with his nickname "Take" like he was talking about one of his player... Damn it, Moriyasu have really little chance to catch this man off guard like he did with Flick. The only hope is Germany remain stuck in a null - null situation and Mister Enrique choose to rest his men and avoid any injuries ceasing the hostilities with us before take the lead. Curse on me to have search, found and watch this video.
I don't think the mindset of "the future is bright" will have any benefit. It's like the fans and even the Japan Football Federation prepare a safe backing up argument, it doesn't always work and it destroys the desire and winning mentality of current team. The London Olympics was even more impressive who actually archived some meaningful results. The generation of Honda and Kagawa played at top clubs at time. Did they reach the high that they promised? R16 was their best. Have the poster boys like Kubo or Doan done anything remotely meaningful for JPN? Absolutely not. And now I'm hearing about Hatate or Furuhashi like they are world class players who can guarantee a win against this group. Again, it's a lazy excuse: "We don't perform because the coach doesn't call the best players". No, you don't, every top 20 teams leave off at least a whole squad of players who at the same level of the called ones. If JPN wants to archive anything, do it now, otherwise they are counting turkeys. Or in next 4 years we will hear "yeah PiPi and Keito Nakamura are good but do you know about xxx, the future is bright".
Yep, Japan's best chances is to hope for Germany to draw their match and emulate what Italy did at the Euros and play for a 0-0 draw as Spain will still advance as top of the group. If Germany win, then Japan cannot advance with just a draw as Germany will advance via GD. Going for a goal against Spain will be very difficult as Spain are a very well-drilled side. In the first place, Germany were the better team against Japan in their match overall over the 90 minutes, Japan should have played their best team in the previous match and scored at least a draw to ensure of their chances and positive GD.
I'm not sure Costa Rica will concede so many goals if they wanna try another lucky shot like they did with Japan they must defend as well.
I follow Japan quite regularly and have never heard anyone saying this is their golden generation. If anything, most football fans, coaches, journalists were humble due to Spain and Germany both being in the group.
German players surely knew about the large group of Japanese players in Bundesliga. It didn't help them. Enrique might know Kubo really well, but that's one player out of 26. He will have to see first hand how hard it is to play tiki-taka against a team with stamina and pace. His interview was full of usual stuff one would expect.
More like they never had such a big group of talentds all around. In good teams etc. No big star. Thats true. But no need to down play that JFA once again probably fkced it all up
It is hard to find a manager who's good at playing as the underdog, and as a favorite. And Japan faces both situations in every WC cycle. The rumored Postecoglou is the opposite of Moriyasu- he'd smash Oman, Saudi Arabia and Costa Rica, but get beat by Germany and Spain without a doubt. Moriyasu is far from perfect. But I think he's a good fit for this particular group of opponents. Good, not perfect.
JNT will probably find a foreign coach after Moriyasu I guess. There aren't really many good local coaches around, Toru Oniki is 1 I can think of but his record in the ACL, etc. is not really that good. Other than him are probably the likes of Kenta Hasegawa, etc which also may not necessarily be what the JNT needs.
The second word, or the second combination of Kanji I've chosen is ぎゃくしゅう (counterattack). We'll need a lot of that in order to scare Spain, and defeat them. Not sure if this exact word is applicable in sports, but here it goes 10 times in my notebook. 逆襲!
Fair play to Australia, made it to R16 beating Denmark. Makes this their best ever group stage, well deserved too.
Yeah. Very tough group also. Who would have thought? Denmark such a dissapointment though, what is happening?
Speaking of fair play, Poland was playing for the 0-2 loss and going through on fair play rule, in a reverse of Japan against them last WC, lol. In the end Saudi Arabia scored so they went through on goal difference.