Honestly I don't know how anyone can blame Zac. Japan had several clear chances to score against Serbia and didn't take them. Then Japan lets Serbia score despite having numbers back in defense. We've seen them repeat this over and over again. There is not much more Zac could do other than playing defender and attacker himself.
But in football who scores more goals wins. We may have "plenty of offensive creativity" but matches like the last one or the one against Bulgaria show that we also have trouble scoring goals if Kagawa or Okazaki aren't on point. Right, he should've told Hosogai to not miss the pass, Endo to not miss the trap and Uchida to not miss the man. It's not like we got bombarded at the back
It's the law of diminishing returns. A defensive player is much more valuable to us than an equivalent offensive player because we're deficient on defense. Some on this board don't like Hosogai but he's looked really good the few times I've seen him play in the Bundesliga. He's been highly rated so far for Hertha BSC, and his coach loves him. Just about anyone would represent a defensive upgrade over Endo.
If what Matsu wrote is correct, Endo played with an injury. Which shows just how far down the next people are below Endo. Also Kakitani's been crap several games in a row. Osako or Toyoda should get a go.
I think Osako is more suited to play the lone striker as his hold up play is better. Kakitani should not be blamed though, not much service was provided to him in the game but still he struggles to keep possession of the ball everywtime he Is placed under pressure by the defenders in the penalty box. Yoshida, Endo and Konno should be replaced and Uchida and Hosogai surprisingly performs badly for the JNT even though they are doing well for their clubs. I think Zac should change the formation to take advantage of the midfield depth. We do have offensive creativity and we are stacked in the ACM and left wing position.
So that we may finally get our nice 0-0 ? Hmm... Same Hosogai who was just given 40' and costed us a goal? (note: I do rate him well, but at least watch the matches ? Whoopsie...)
Though Zac might eventually have to ax an attacker in favor of an extra central mid (a la WC2010), I think it's too soon. At least run through the November friendlies and analyze the group stage draw (December) first - who you draw in particular from the CONMEBOL/CAF and UEFA pots makes a big difference. I would try 3 CMFs against either Belgium or Holland, perhaps even in conjunction with 3 CBs (i.e. Inter's 3-5-2) and see if that confers any defensive stability without rendering the possession game impotent. You could try Hosogai or Yamaguchi, or alternatively kick Konno up to defensive mid while pairing Yoshida with Morishige in the back. If you think an extra man in midfield is sufficient without adding a particularly defensive player, Kiyotake might even work as the right CMF. So who misses out in this case? Okazaki and Kakitani (+ a few wild cards) might be fighting for a starting place, possibly on the right.
What are you guys' thoughts on Yamaguchi as one of the What are your or anybodys' thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of Yamaguchi? Do you think he would work in the formation you just pointed out here? On a side note, I would replace Okazaki with Kakitani.
OK fine, 3-5-1-1. http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/758073/Live http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/758049/Live http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/758031/Live http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/758027/Live
4 years later, same resort to an emergency tactic. I thought the point of hiring a renowned foreign coach would be to go forward, not encounter the same problems again.
I doubted Okada, I really did but it turned out pretty good at the WC 2010 with a wierd tactical line up. One ball one ball out Japan could quickly reached the quarterfinals. Now it's the same crisis but I doubt Zac can do it. Funny thing is if it is the players or the coach to blame, perhaps a mix!?..
If it means nearly reach the quarterfinals and win 2 match and 1 draw with only 1 defeat and 2 goals taken 1 by pk, let's hope Zac will have a preWC disastrous as the one Okada had.
Better to draw 0-0 than to lose 1-2 or 2-3 or what have you. Nope, I didn't watch the match. Was asked a question, and tried to answer it.
The draw will play a big part anyway... last time we didn't have any south american side in our group for example and that was great. I would pay to have a CONCACAF member or an african one again and a 2nd european again (greece pls? ). Not that it would mean easy pass, at all