2022/23 Koki Machida @ Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL)

Third of the season?

 

Second, but to be fair he also got only 2 another yellows in the whole season, so he is very fair und played like Watanabe a strong season again.

Those 2 are pure class and could even be better, when they go into a top 4 League. Hope both will change the team, next year.

When Tomiyasu and Ito is fit again and start to play regular again, its insane what quality Japan has on CB position.

-Ito (Bayern)
-Tomiyasu ( Arsenal)
-Itakura (Gladbach)
-Watanabe (Gent)
-Machida (St.Gilles)

Maybe it could be better like Gent or St. Gilles but to be fair, belgium league is very decent and they are playing every season international football against good top 5 league teams even with look to Champions League cause both are teams who fighting for the 1st place trophy in the league at some point.
When you would start the WC 2026 with Watanabe and Machida as the starter CB Duo, I guess nobody would have headaches.

Not to forget talents like Chase or Backups like Seko and there are plenty more.

 

Problem is Moriyasu dont think they are that good

Constantly overlooked

 

Especially Watanabe, yeah but Machida is getting decent gametime. He was almost a starter the last games, when I am not totaly wrong.

 

Maybe if they move. Is there any real rumours to it?

 

About Machida, the last 2 years, they were plenty rumours. Tottenham, Franfkurt etc.

But about Watanabe not that much which is mysterious. But lets see after the season.

 

Today USG won their Europa playoffs return leg at Amsterdam Arena against Ajax, after losing 0-2 at home. They were 2-0 ahead after 20 minutes, against 10 men, and missed the qualification to a penalty in extra time. Machida almost delivered an assist in the last minutes.

Regarding what you are talking about, Machida transfer to Tottenham was a real thing but failed at the very last moment. Watanabe also had plenty of offers from subtop clubs but Gent didn't want to sell him. He'll leave at the end of the season.

 

Ajax stole the match.
41yo dutch gk simply smashed the face of USB's fw.
This is 100% penalty in any legal country.
But it was Ajax, in Amsterdam and it was the injury time of the 2nd extra time so who cares about the little belgian club.

 

I wasn't shocked with the unwhistled penalty. Very difficult decision at that moment of the game, if I was a ref i wouldn't give it. The teammates weren't really asking for it actually.

And well, Ajax played 100 minutes down to 10 men, USG has to take full responsibility for not taking advantage of it.

 

Yeah totally agree @ Poyo but nonetheless, they gave Ajax a hell of a fight.

And by the way, among other things, whoscored.com awarded Machida with the MOTM. Hope he will move also after the season.

 

This has nothing to do with whoever was asking for whatever or how many men was down Ajax for any minutes or USG at all..
This was penalty because a gk can't smash the face of an opponent in the box, voluntarily or not, w/o getting a foul and the consequent pk.

 

34 shots for USG.
They scored 2 goals (1 penalty out of the two).

Did they deserve to win? Yes.
Did they deserve that penalty? Maybe.
Did they deserve to go to the next stage? No.

 

True words Poyo ! 100% agree.

At least Machida played a awesome game.

 

Machida subbed out injured, hope it's not serious.

To much injuries for japanese players this season.

 

Machida is fit again, starts, assisted the 1-0 and scored the 4-1 himself.

 

Once again, the title they've been waiting for 90 years will be played on the very last day, this weekend. USG knows very well the trauma of losing everything in the last minutes.

Machida vs Watanabe, for what should be for both of them their farewell game to Belgium.

 

Really hope they will make it, cause I want Machida in the Champions League if he stays.

Dangerous foresign, cause USG are in a big winning streak and Gent on opposite are on a huge loosing streak. Hope it goes well.

 

They made it, wonder if he goes now, he has won everything there.

 

Yeah, great achievement. Cup with the winning goal, last year, 2x semi champions and now they are champions. Hmm hard to say, I mean now he could play Champions League at a good club close before the WC.

I think cause of the Champions League, he will stay and I could understand that.

 

Hoffenheim is in serious talks to sign Machida. After some sources, the deal is close. Let's see. Hoffenheim is a good ambitious club but was struggling a lot the last 2-3 years so on paper not the best move when you consider he could play CL, close before the WC with Gilloise but of course Bundesliga is great.

 

After sources, the deal is done and will be official announced these days. Fee is around 5 Mio.€.

 

Also official !

https://www.tsg-hoffenheim.de/aktue...htet-japanischen-nationalspieler-koki-machida