Strasbourg's first choice GK Sels has undergone a surgery, and he is expected to be out for months. Strasbourg's management said they will go with Kamara as the first-choice GK, and Kawashima as the second-choice, but they didn't rule out the possiblity of getting a third GK until Sels is fully recovered. However, in recent pre-season friendlies Kawashima fared better than Kamara and was given more playing minutes than Kamara. Moreover, many of the club's players tested positive COVID-19 earlier this month, and it seems Kamara was one of them, as he was not even a part of the last friendly match's squad. The league will start this weekend, and I think Kawashima has 50-50 chances to be the starter for the first few weeks of the season.
Once again this man shows what hard work and dedication can take you. Others would have gone home a long time ago. Tremendous respect for this guy. Hope he does well.
He had a great and very impressive match, pulling out some great saves to save his team from being humiliated. Strasbourg lost 3-1, but it would have been at least 6-1 if Kawashima didn't manage to pull those spectacular saves, and this is just to speak about the saves Kawashima made in the second half. Around the 50th minute he cleared a dangerous aerial ball from a corner kick. Around the 73rd minute he pulled out a double-save to prevent Lorient again from scoring. Lastly, he saved a one-on-one chance in the 87th minute as he stretched his feet against the direction of his body to block Lorient's player shot, only for another Lorient's player to score the 3rd goal from the rebound. Strasbourg's defence were very poor today, and Kawashima literally saved them from an embarrassing defeat. As for the 3 goals Kawashima conceded, the first was from a tricky header, the second was from a PK Strasbourg conceded after their CB needlessly fouled Lorient's striker in the penalty box, and the third was from a rebound which came off a shot he miraculously saved. It was a very impressive performance, let's hope he will build on today's performance and cement his place as the first-choice GK even when Seles will return to full fitness.
He was named as the man of the match in last week's match vs. Lorient: 🥇 #FCLRCSA I Vous avez désigné Eiji #Kawashima comme l'homme du match by @mutuellemutest de cette première journée de @Ligue1UberEats !🔢 Le TOP 3 ⤵️— Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace (@RCSA) August 25, 2020
3rd start of the season for Kawashima: ⚔️ #MHSCRCSA I Le onze du Racing pour défier le @MontpellierHSC ! x @Numerize 🔴 Le match en direct commenté ⤵️— Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace (@RCSA) November 22, 2020
Players from Rennes and Strasbourg formed an 'M' before kick-off in memory of Diego Maradona 📸 pic.twitter.com/ghTS0CWjZr— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 27, 2020
I'm just happy every time this guy gets to start. It's a testament to his dedication and professionalism when he's starting in a top 4 league match in the twilight of his career, as a third string backup.
Ive been watching highlights and there is some great saves including penalties and the goals he allowed he is close to saving. His in great form.
Hard to say considering by next year WC period, he is a few months from 40 yrs old but he should definitely be brought as he can be utilized for his experience within the squad. There are actually a few interesting GK prospects in J league now e.g Keisuke Osako, Yuya Oki and Kosei Tani, etc. They might be able to provide some competition for Kawashima come next year's WC period.