According to the average height rankings - appears to be bit different from source to source which seems weird, but anyway… - Germany ranks 4, Croatia 6 & Japan 29. And I can’t remember getting into trouble on high balls against Sule and others. Also Croatia isn’t a League One kick-and-rush team, I’d worry more about their footballing qualities. Other interesting stuff: - Ironically we conceded a header against the opposing team with the lowest avg height, being Spain (25). - Mexico apparently is the shortest team. Serbia the tallest. - Argentina is only 1 spot above Japan. - The tallest AFC team is Iran. The shortest… not Japan but the Saudi Arabia.
To be fair, Germany had a good set piece chance against Japan- Rüdiger shot wide after a corner. Füllkrug did not save them from defeat, however. Croatia have two aerial specialists up front- the more energetic, but technically poorer Budimir whom Kubo knows, and Petković, who likes to drop deep and receive the ball to make passes onto wingers etc. He's like Ibrahimović- big, technically gifted, but lazy. Not as arrogant, I suppose. Pašalić from the midfield is another major aerial asset. Croatia should absolutely play the height card, because Japan rule in the stamina and pace departments. However, in order to get set pieces, some attacking successes must happen. And if Croatia's midfield/left side isn't reshuffled...Japan will overrun them.
Lovro Majer from Croatia said nobody in the world expect Japan reach the Last 16 and that Japan showed that you don't need quality or popular names. You can win games with brave and effort and that Japan shows that more then the other teams (thats almost word by word). Oh please god, please, let them show how "quality" Japan especially a Kamada and Doan is and send them home with a bunch of goals. What a arrogant and ignorrant Interview.
The first part of the interview is quite arrogant, indeed. He is one of the players I wanted to see, because I don't think Modrić can handle the Japanese running power in his current state. If Lovro thinks this is going to be easy, he's an idiot. Oddly, he looked quite smart in some previous interviews. Japanese passing ability is quite good. But Moriyasu doesn't emphasize possession. It is necessary to be fair and acknowledge facts. Japan came back twice from behind and knocked over two giants. That is some achievement. An advertisement for Japanese football. I also want to see fair refereeing tomorrow. So that there are no controversies. Thus, the Kanji I chose today means こうへい (fairness, impartiality, objectivity, justice). May the truly better team show their worth tomorrow, and win! 公平!
IMO, Japan's playing style doesn't suit Kamada. He can't do much because Japan operate on minimal possession. Paradoxically, tomorrow, he might have more time on the ball, because Croatia might play in a low block and not try to dominate the midfield, fearing Japan's counterattacks. The rumored striker up top is completely incapable of pressing, as well.
In the meantime seems Moriyasu has been offered a contract to continue his destruction of the Japanese National Team. 4 more years of Asano then... damn. Well hope there is a clause that if he doesn't win the Asian Cup he's out. As for tomorrow, just start Mitoma.
Tomorrow will be a really hard game. And with all due respect Croatia is still the favorite. Japan so far hasn't shown enough of the on-ball activity that they will need against Croatia, cause Croatia will not play like Germany and Spain, in fact, they will also try to counter themselves and their midfield is world-class
I won't return from work early enough to do a kanji before the game. So, here's the one that should be for tomorrow, the final one before the game. In 2002, Croatia's NT had its base in the town of Tokamachi. From then onwards, a special bond existed between Croatia and the people of Tokamachi. A friendship. I would hope Borna Sosa is friends with Hiroki Ito and Wataru Endo. Josip Juranović with Daizen Maeda. Kristijan Jakić with Daichi Kamada. I hope that, no matter who wins tomorrow, the bonds of ゆうじょう (friendship) will stay strong, and that all these people will work together once club football resumes. And that I will be allowed to stay on here. 友情 !
Dunno if it's only me but your comments feel a bit different since you learnt about Japan vs Croatia match. A bit less passionate and more reasoned. I prefer how you wrote before. And about tomorrow, "may the truly better team show their worth tomorrow and win!" my ass. May Japan win in whichever (legal) possible way. We are a step from make History and Croatia is the last obstacle on our path.
Tomorrow is a big day for the two East-Asian teams in the World Cup. On a side note, does anyone also think that Ritsu Doan and Hwang Hee-chan look quite alike?
I haven’t been paying attention to Japan sometimes after the 2018 World Cup, which was when Moriyasu took over. From 2010 onwards, Japan was known as a team that can dominate possession, tiki-taka style and creating chances but ultimately fail to finish their chances in front of goal. This is at least true against many Asian teams. So I find it ironic that Japan is now known for its counter attacks and with low ball possession against Germany and Spain. Even though they are ply against teams that are technically superior. How much has How much has Moriyasu changed Japan from the 2010-2018 era style? I also wish that Moriyasu Japan and the Samurai Blue can adapt when their opponents figure their tactics and transition without much concerns. From the group stage, most people would already figure out Moriyasu tactics and hopefully he is not just a one-trick pony who stubbornly stick to his plan A.
I will be fair and admit I am a Croat. The heroes from 4 years ago made the whole country proud. And I will root for them. At the same time: if Japan show they want victory more than Croatia, they will win. Desire can determine which team is better. And I swear before you, and every BS Japan member: I will sing the Kimigayo, not just my country’s anthem. I want a game where both teams fight bravely. If Japan wins, I won’t hold grudges. Your people don’t do dirty tricks. To add some positives for Japan: Croatia’s best left back is exhausted from an infection, and won’t play. Modrić and Perišić are likely to start even though they shouldn’t, in my opinion.
I'm sorry if I'm looking too far ahead, but I was watching the highlights of Brazil Japan yesterday from the recent friendly, and they actually did really well!! Only a penalty separated them, both teams had some chances, but that's the best I've ever seen Japan play against them. So IF Japan do go through and play Brazil, it might not be as bad as we think it is. I really hope they do the businesses today, the results against Germany and Spain will give them so much confidence, and could be the key.
Moriyasu changed the style exactly as you said. Right approach of course for a team like Japan, defensive approach will bring you further, just 2 big problems with the implementation: 1) Focus on speed over everything else. Little creativity, technique, fantasy, just a bunch of runners. So for the final part of the qualifiers Japan basically played without any really creative player, passer, dribbler. 2) Game plan. Even against weaker opponents, a 0 risk first half, try to turn in up in the second half. The game vs Costa Rica was no aberration, it could really be expected that they would have immense problems scoring. It was the same in the qualifiers, against weaker teams Japan had more problems that they should have. Not many chances created (or low % chances, just looking at the chances/shot numbers gives kind of the wrong impression) So even if problem 1 was solved (and with the emergence of Mitoma, Kamada too good in the Bundesliga to be left home it is at least partly solved) doesn't matter, he won't let them play. New WC specific problem was the inability of the defence to deal with opponents pressing. I expected the defence to be able to pass the ball around under pressure much better. But they just couldn't against Germany, 2 passes then kick it forward, too risky trying another lateral pass among defenders. Anyway, let's see how Moriyasu disappoints us today. Let me guess, Mitoma starts on the bench?
Mitoma is on the bench but used to it now, Tomiyasu in defence will be huge, expecting another good performance from Ito
Based on the lineups, Japan wins this. Croatia will tire in the 2. half at the latest and will be overwhelmed.