ah, there it is, AC Milan's Honda.. I'll watch the game and later comment but again, I see two goals here, so everything must be put under that perspective. Let's see what happens w Australia
Yeah to me it looks like shibisaki is out of the picture, although someone mentioned he's out of form? So maybe that's the reason. In any case, Zaccheroni Japan had Endo, and Aguirre Japan had shibisaki, and I'm not saying this was the absolute difference, but the football that was played with these two players in the team was far, far better than what we're watching now.
Oshima is supposed to be that attacking #8, based on recent form for Kawasaki and the U23s. I would say he definitely clears the bar on the attacking end so let's see how he does in subsequent matches.
Kagawa added another highlight reel to his collection of worst performances, he's really terrible. He can't make up for his lack of desire with his quality anymore, Chanatip schooled him. Other than that Thailand were pretty bad, Asano MOM and Yamaguchi silenced the haters with a faultless performance.
Another important thing I've noticed is that under Zac Japan, Kagawa and Honda together were dynamite, they had an understanding that few had and played some awesome 1-2 touch stuff. But ever since the fallout of who should be number 10 and who shouldn't, they don't play with that same chemistry. Anyone else noticed this? They don't even go near each other now.
They become worst even in their clubs and it's quite normal since they pass their zenith a long time ago Honda joining Milan and Kagawa with United debacle.
I've watched Thailand a number of times and they're capable of playing far better. The slick passing game they're known for was almost nonexistent. The conditions had something to do with it, and Japan did a great job closing them down and not letting them settle into their passing rhythm. Thailand are used to have much more time on the ball against their southeast Asian opponents. The laughable defending by the Thai back line -- that's normal for them. The only plus for Thailand was the good goalkeeping by Kawin who is quality. For Japan I'd say it was a poor performance. Against such a generous defense they should have scored at least four. They're guilty of poor finishing yet again. It's like a broken record. Even Honda this time who usually plays well for the NT.
Kagawa was worse yes but Kagawa is Kagawa and maybe he was so bad cause his hole team was bad...but for Dortmund he was a genius the last 2 years and he can become that for Japan again. But to say Kiyotake is poor is bullshit. The thing with Kiyotake is (and i say this for 4-5 years) they NEED him cause his standard specialistic. In almost every game he assistet a goal from corner or freekick ( and hes great in penaltys) and thats point where a bad game can change. When you play bad and a standard brings you back on the score sheet the mental weakness can be change in toughness. Kiyotake plays 1 game badly ( and by the way he assisted the 1-0 against UAE) and is out of the team but he is a genius and after my optinion even better then Honda and Kagawa but he needs trust. A Shibasaki and a Kiyotake in this team can be wonder. The actually coach or last coaches all do the same mistakes...they drop the players JNT need after maybe 1-2 bad performences and stick to the players with Name like Honda wo are playing even bader but have the Star on her name. Also...whats the ******** with this Morishige Center Back Bullshit ? We know he and the ohters CB appart from Yoshida are bnot enough...for 4-6 yerars we see this...the second CB changed out of a poool from 2-3 players and the doesnt have it. Doesn`t matter what we have we still need to give some of the young prospective CB NOW the chance to improve for the next 2 years. Same for Goalkeeper Nishikawa is not good enough and Kawashima is done....NEW YOUNG GOALKEEPER To IMPROVE This 4 points are our weaknesses !
Kagawa hasn't been a genius for Dortmund since 2012 or 2011, if he has ever been one, and Shibasaki was bad the last few times he was called up. And it's not like he's setting the league on fire right now.
At the moment Morishige is the best to partner Yoshida. I thought this year would see Ueda stepping up but his developments stalled and they seem to be reluctant in trying him out in the Kirin Cup. I haven't seen Nakatani play this season but I hope he can push for selection next year. They honestly should have tried more new players in some of the friendlies.
Ueda's development hasn't stalled, he might as well play right now but it would take a earthquake for a coach to disturb a CB hierarchy.
Agree. But i still choose Nakatani over him anytime. If there is any worrying development, it is Shibasaki's. Until 2015 he was a more promising one from the bunch of our Endo-replacement candidate, but since Asian Cup, everything turned bad for him. Even when Kashima had an excellent run in the 2nd stage last year and 1st stage this year, his performance is only decent at best. Sad. Nagaki even got a nod over him in recent weeks.
Yes, maybe sometimes you're too harsh on him, but i agree that Kagawa need a well-oiled team around him to shine brightly. In the same mould of Mkhitaryan, but what makes Mkhitaryan better is that he can improve the structure of the team that played with a concept of positional play constantly. His move to Man. U is worrying, as Mourinho is not the type of coach who shaped his team based on concept of positional play. Just remember him playing at the final days of Jurgen Klopp's reign. Same for Kagawa, sadly, he's even more limited player than Mkhitaryan, arguably he's better in the first touch department, his turn is quick, as Mats Hummels suggested.
Still, he's the only Japanese player who constantly contributes on the highest club football level throught recent years. This alone puts him above any other JNT player. I would say that he likes to play with players of the same caliber or higher as he's not the type to pull the team through bad times (although he's got the skills). Honda can pull the team but he's not as good when it comes to actual level of abilities as Kagawa.
Constantly is stretching it too far, in most games he isn't that good. He might be a good catalyst in Dortmund but the harder work is or was done by Aubameyang, Miki or Reus. But as well as he might play for Dortmund, if he doesn't deliver in the NT or doesn't show enough desire on the pitch, he shouldn't sit his bottom in the plane. Unfortunately Vahid is weaker than the thesis he preaches. As for his abilities, we had a glaring exemple yesterday . At least Chanatip can control the ball. Kiyotake is the Johan Micoud of Japan except for the fact that our Zidane is actually very bad. That will make for a good documentary when all is said and done.
Kiyotake also has rarely been a game changer for the JNT tbh. I would play him mostly because of his ability from set play though. What Kagawa has done in Dortmund - including the simple fact of moving directly to such a club and gaining a starting place immediately - likely won't happen again for a very long time (maaybe Takefusa Kubo... ? ). That he doesn't seem to handle the pressure with the NT is a fact, but until there's a better player he's just hard to replace. I'm fairly sure Vahid, just like Zac and Aguirre, has also realized this. Agree that Shibasaki seems to be a bit overrated here.
Kagawa's resume looks good on paper indeed, too bad it shouldn't matter at all. Kiyotake has never been allowed to be that bad for as long as Kagawa has. He even got the hook after a good first half at the Confederations against Brazil . Set the tone for the rest of his career.
To Kagawa...he was genius the last 2 years, not that good like the first Dortmund period but god look at his stats. Stats are all in football when you argue to a player beeing good. Means even if Kagawa is playing poor he is good cause he scores/assisted every second game thats enough...point. On the other side you can have “bad“ stats like Okazakis first Leicester year but you can play great like him and be a good player. Good stats mean you are good but bad stats are not mean in every situation you are bad. To say that Kagawa was good cause his team mates is a weak point, sure it matters to have a good team but last season he was voted to best offensive middlefield player in Bundesliga ( first half), when thats not genius. He is very good no doubt, he had outstanding games in which he changed game after game last season like against Wolfsburg. Morishige is bad, no matter if he is thr best option right now, he is bad bad bad and will never be better. We see it the last 6 years, its enough. Even if the younger options are more bad right now, we need to play them to be ready for WC2018. We need not to focus on now, we need focus on future ! New young goalkeeper, new young Centre Back, new DM, Honda out and Kiyotake in, Kubo,Minamino into the Squad and I still prefer Shibasaki or at least Yamaguchi out and this Japan will look much much better. They need fresh young blood, which is on fire combined with good oldies. The pontential is sooo great we meed some harsh and new cool decisions. But Vahid has no guts. In Germany every of my points and players would happen, trust me. Japan has players other countrys would dream about. Haraguchi,Usami,Minamino,Kubo,Muto,Kiyotake, Inui (never let this guy out of the eye), Asano,Kagawa,Okazaki, Osako ( this guy is incredible strong till now, this season...scored like hell). The offensive Part of Japan is insane, more or less, they are all one of the best players at their clubs in the best leagues in the world or at last in decent leagues. You need to know how to play them and motivate them.
You're talking about genius which is something abstract and highly subjected to interpretation, something that bears an idea of aesthetics and intelligence, and then you correlate it to stats, data, which are completely cold and down to earth. It doesn't go together. I think you need to reevaluate your set of values. Besides genius is a big word and it should only be used for exceptional individuals or matters, otherwise it loses the power of its meaning. And no the future isn't that bright unfortunately.
When you are one of the best midlefielder in one of the best Leagues and clubs in the world then you are genius and he is. When you have incredible stats you are genius and he has. Gomez for example is a genius to...the german Striker. Kagawa was not voted for nothing from clubs, players and experts to best midlefielder per half season last year. And The future offensive looks extremly bright for Japan. Like I am saying when yout players are in almost the best leagues and are one of the best players in club like Kuto,Kiyotake,Haraguchi and so on then you have very good players. Only thing is the team chemistry, thats all
It's not on paper though, he's simply scouted just like everybody else during the european JFA expeditions. He does well in his club, so it's not that easy. He's never been allowed because he was never as good as Kagawa in his clubs in the first place. A sub doesn't set any tone, it's just that Aguirre and Vahid also don't rate him as you do. But I think doing well in Sevilla will help. I think this is actually his moment. Then again, he has to win the place over Haraguchi by delivering...
It's a bit of a dumb discussion because anyone can see Kagawa is terrible with the NT and we're still talking about club merits. People were making fun of Honda for that miss earlier but he still contributes much more than Kagawa to the team overall, it's not even close. He's also not that good with Dortmund if you don't watch with the glasses of love. Put Kiyotake in that team instead of Shinji and it's probably running as well if not better. Also Haraguchi didn't play that well against Thailand, he just scored a nice header. But no one really did outside Asano and Yamaguchi. Even the poor Hasebe is starting to look toasted.
I don't watch with glasses of love, you're having the glasses of love for Kiyotake here. That Kiyotake would do as well as him is just wishful thinking. Put Kiyotake in Dortmund in 2011 and let's see if he does the same, he wouldn't, he's never scored more than 5 goals except once in his life. They are different players, and Kagawa is still a much more offensive player than him. The reason he gets trash is also because expectations are high on him due to his success. But let's not forget (even tho it's easy to) that he scored the winner against France, a volley vs. Italy, two against South Korea, and still contributed in several matches in the two asian cups and some qualfiers.
Nope I don't. I think Kiyotake is good and good is better than terrible. It's pretty straight forward and reasonable. 2011 was 5 years ago and the heroics you quote are almost as old. That he contributed is not that surprising, if you play all the time you're most likely to do something. I have no expectation anymore and yet he still disappointed against Thailand. Disregarding the jerseys they're wearing, Chanatip was much better than he was.