2018+ TEAM JAPAN (Currently: Kokubo, Ito, Yamamoto) @ Sint-Truidense V.V. (BEL)

Own goal i believe

 

Now it's official his goal. So 2 goals + 1 asisst.

 

Beat Brugge 3-2 in the top fight game. Ito scored a penalty.
Now nr 2 in the league. What a transformation.

 

Goto scored another one via penalty in a 1-2 loss against Anderlecht. He is real on fire too. Strikerwise we absolutely have no problem. We have at the moment every type of striker.

 

He and Kento Shiogai should be in the coming WC squad imo, Goto can hold the ball up and serves as an aerial threat whereas Shiogai can press and utilize his movements in the box.

 

Goto scores 2. Now leading goalscorer in the league.

 

Shion Shinkawa (Sagan Tosu) rumored to be joining STVV, actually whilst I think he is talented. Japan already has quite a few of those Winger/Forwards-type.

JNT needs players whom provide something else e.g Shiogai with his poacher instincts and Keisuke Goto with his hold-up play.

Need some forwards that are able to excel centrally too, and have the right positioning to pressure CBs/GKs to create space for these winger/forwards to score.

 

Currently number one

New win. Taniguchi scored and Goto had an assist

 

Yamamoto Brace + Goto assisted Yamamotos 2nd goal and scored himself to make it 4-0, against Westerlo.

Edit: I forgott the Taniguchi assist to make it 2-0.

 

This team is so good now. Amazing how they turned it all around.

 

Yeah amazing, imagine the could be in the Champions League next season. What do you think about Taniguchi at the moment ?

 

Yes, their series is a bit weird but I hope they can keep it up. I wonder if Moriyasu is looking at this.
I dont watch the games, but seems he is doing better.

 

St.Truiden got an offer for Yamamoto over 6 Millionen € from a Bundesliga club + several other interests but the club denied to let him go this winter.

 

STVV are 2-1 down to Zulte Waregem but Zulte Waregem are down to 10 and Goto scored a penalty. Hopefully they can win because Club Brugge are in second and Union Saint-Gilloise drew against Liege so there's a chance to close the gap at the top

 

STVV win 3-2!!! And Yamamoto assisted the winner. But it's going to be very difficult for them to maintain this especially in the championship play-off

 

Very very interesting ! Hope the will manage to get the Champions League next season.

 

Never mind that I hope they win the league! But it will be tough as they don't usually challenge for the title

 

Place 2 could be enough to qualify for the Champions League but sure the title would be also great. Let's see. Very interesting scenario. Could be a japanese game changer if they manage to become a real top team in Jupiler League the next years and play international often, that could boost abroad players.

By the way, how realistic do you think that Yamamoto has chances to become a member of the WC squad ? Didn't realize, that he is only 23, 179cm tall and scored very good this season with 24 games, 4 goals and 6 assists as a CM/CDM. He is something like the heart of the team, very very strong this year.

He and Atsuki Ito from Gent, who is similar strong could be some vital options for the JNT.

 

Goto with the assist to make it 1-1 and Ryotaro Ito with the 2-1 against FCV Defender. Looks like Goto is also very capable of assisting goals.

 

Yamamoto scored another one after Ito assist.

This team is really good.

 

Another Goto assist to make it 4-1.

 

Wonder if any of the players will have a chance for a wc spot.

 

Goto, Ito, Yamamoto and Taniguchi all have a chance of making it. Maybe even Kokubo but he will need a call up in March to have a chance. I think all of these guys should get the call up at least for the March friendlies. I even forgot about Taiga Hata who has got some good playing time as well.