Got the result, most important thing! I like the players that were chosen today, osako was great, and haraguchi just never stops, seems like the perfect type of Vahid player. Honda and Kagawa coming off the bench did well too, maybe this will wake them up a little.
Apart from the goal, i've never thought i'll say this, our defence have been rock solid. There's some room for improvement in our build-up play though.
Congrats to Japan and Hardluck Saudi. The JNT with Vahid reminds of Mourinho. They play somewhat ugly but always get the job done (except for that defeat against the UAE).
I understand that but my salty arab buddy here said that he never saw Japan play in such manner for a long time. I told him quit watching Captain Tsubasa lol and actually, JNT gets better results on the world stage playing with that cautious, pragmatic style i.e. WC2010
It surely not Mourinho-esque. Never seen Mourinho's team defend in a high block apart from match where they lost 1-3 at home against barcelona only in 15-20 minutes start of the game back in 2011 or 2012 if i'm not wrong. And agree with Saku, it wasn't ugly at all, it was the best 85 minutes by far in a very long time before this. Well, actually at the begining of his reign, Halilhodzic Japan played like today. If there is any improvement in this Halilhodzic Japan, compared to other coach, it was the pressing game and defence organization. Aguirre is also should be credited at how our pressing game refined, as well. Our attacking play maybe looks regressed compared to Zac reign, but it more or less beccause our main attackin outlet, read Kagawa-Honda, are on the decline too.
So what are you guys expectations for next round's fixture against UAE? It's like 4 months from now and a lot of things might have changed by then. I really hope JNT get their revenge for their shock defeat to them earlier .
Mourinho need to bring his usual defensive game to United because United's defence really need some work to be done. BTW, good game from Osako and Haraguchi today. Osako's physical play is really impressive, holding onto the ball and not getting bullied off easily. I hope Ueda can play the next game, really interested to see what he can bring to this team with the style that Halilhodzic is making the team playing.
They are not. But I had a lot of fun calling Persians arabs. They get pissed. Funny how deep it goes.
I think it was something like 17 shots to 2 before Saudi scored that goal. They always gotta make it a little bit close at the end. I wonder if Honda's shot off his own face counts as a shot? No clip for that?
http://the-afc.com/2018-fifa-world-...eport-japan-v-saudi-arabia/sr-matchId/9291655 Here it says 11 shots vs 3
Lol, I haven't seen the game yet but that assist by Kagawa... can't believe it was rewarded as assist.
Saudi certainly has more than 3 shots as their attempts before the goal was a series of shots rebound after Nishikawa's save
Oh that site was the-afc.com so that explains it. Sports navi has it at 16-5 which seems closer. http://soccer.yahoo.co.jp/japan/game/score/2016111501
Not that it really matters, since Saudi deserved to be down a couple men by that point already, but the ball was traveling towards the goal so I really doubt he could have turned sideways and stopped it with his chest without using his arm afterwards. And his sleeve seems to be moving from the impact as well.