Endo overtakes Ihara. We're gonna see a great match, even if Brazil (along with Spain and Germany) is the only team we can't probably beat.
Brazil and Japan are currently at different points, Brazil at one of its weakest, Japan at one of its strongest. I think it will be close, but the psychological factor must be the toughest hurdle for the JNT. Hopefully the players can rise up to the occasion.
Only cuz they won 6-0 against Iraq? FIFA raking (I know you don't like it) say this is their worst ever position.
Brazil's team is young. But dangerous as hell. And yes 6:0 against an Iraq a team Japan had troubles beating even at home says a lot. And that game should probably be more like 10:0
That's completely understable as they don't play in WC qualifiers. Every team gets a drop in the ranking before such tournaments.
Yes, I know, the same Brazil that beats weaker opponents and lose the final against Mexico in the last Oly. This means nothing. If you know how football works you know it's not important how the match against Iraq finished. Otherwise the draw in Australia had to be a flawless victory for Japan cuz of their previous matches.
Never underestimates Brazil. If we play like we did in the first half against France, they will not forgive our mistakes.
*sigh* do you know how the fifa ranking works? Brazil isn't even playing the WC qualifications matches. That's a lot of points lost since winning against Iraq doesn't give you that many points edit: sorry I saw Majster post later.
Agree. But never understimates Japan too. The last two who did it lost both. And for the comparison with the french match: if Zac is a wise man he will change something on the starting line up and the Japan that will confront Brazil will be NOT the same of that ugly first half against France.
Eh... he's not that smart unfortunately on these things. I don't expect many changes... if any at all =( but let's see, I would love to be proven wrong
It'd be huge if they drew with Brazil 0-0 Want to see Zac switch Inui in for Nakamura and Hosogai for Hasebe to start. Im just wondering how he'll use the guys since they played a very grueling match vs France. This is where Japans depth will be a great commodity.
There is noway Japan is underestimating Brazil, instead what theyll do is give them too much respect and play timid. I wish they would underestimate them and play confident and cocky controlling the ball and possession...but that is not the Japanese way, theyre too respectful haha.
I think we will play a bit more "loose" this time.... The French clash was excellent to give a good wake up call to the team. (and i pray... to the italian stubborn as well.)
Play the old Nakamura again would be a huge mistake, he was invisible against France. The game changed when Hosogai and Inui came on.
Expect to see Honda against Brazil. Kiyotake may be out though, seems that he's having some problems.
WTF is your point? We lost to Mexico in the Semis and Korea in the bronze medal match. Granted it was a u23 event.
Hopefully not, the substitution for the right wing is Miyaichi and of course he will not play there, so it would had to be someone out of his position
Also Brazil and Real Madrid left back Marcelo has been ruled out for 3 months with a broken metatarsal.
be quite my son... He (dont' remember who) said that THIS Brazil is build on YOUNG players, than I found it's very similar to the one who won against weaker (far weaker) U23 team in Oly and lost to Mexico U23. "We" were Japan U23 with only 1 player of THIS JNT, than the comparison that you did does not make ANY sense. I really hope not. We want some amazing actions and scores nope? Maybe 2-2? Well you said Honda will be on the pitch. Imo Havenaar and Hasebe will stay there too. The only change will be Nakamura -> Honda and Hasebe -> Hosogai in the 2nd half. If Honda broken than I really hope in Inui - Kagawa - Kiyotake stuff.