Watching the Ghana game and feel compelled to start the new thread. Hope the title is acceptable. I'm coming to the conclusion that what Japan needs isn't a striker. It's a diving pos bastard player that can get away with murder on the field. A Sneijder, an Essien... players like that. Gamesmanship is what leads to success in the World Cup. Just look at how both Italy and France got to the Final in 2006. Korea in 2002. Portugal... pretty much all the time, but their match against the Netherlands in 2006 was masterful in the use of gamesmanship and manipulation. And it's not just the players... or even the coaches. But the supporters need to get into the act as well. The supporters need to create an environment where the official is afraid for his life if he screws us over. That's what we're missing. Gamesmanship. And no, Tulio isn't nearly a big enough ahole. edit: It's now 2-0 just after halftime... Can we call an end to this over-achieving pressing bit yet ?? Experiment failed. edit2: I guess 3rd times the charm for Kengo. 2-1. Nakas passing has been very inconsistent. Too bad we don't have another attack-minded midfielder that can play on the right. Tsuzuki is a nightmare... please god tell me he does not make the World Cup team. edit3: Kengo with yet another chance. Really should have put that one on target.
wow thank god somebody finally started this thread. That 2nd goal was absolute rubbish. Nakazawa's been personally responsible for 2 goals conceded this tour. the other one was the 3rd one against the dutch. He needs to bloody well switch on. 2-1 Kengo scored. They nearly scored again with tzusuki coming out. That defending looked bloody amateur Inamoto on for Hasebe.
Okazaki looks like he's really laboring... I give it another 20m until Okada notices and still does nothing about it. Hasebe gives way to Inamoto. Let's see if Ina can stamp any authority on their midfield.
3-1 Are you f**king kidding me tsuzuki???? This defence is completely embarrasing. I know Ghana's in form but still wtf?! Nakamura & Maeda off for Honda & Tamada. I guess what we're about to see is Okada shock and awe plan.
I think his GK selection has already delivered that plan. Leave it to Tamada to get a possible 1v1 chance and barely manage to even get a corner kick out of it.
Damn it, couldn't find a stream. I feel the current score line is embarrassing. If there's a bad result in the end could it help in any way? A final reality check or something? Were there any odd player selections aside from Tsuzuki?
oh no. yes we scored. but at what cost. imagine how many starts Tamada's going to get now JAPAN 3-3 GOALTIME!!! I'll admit Tsuzuki did good just then. Nakazawa however did not.
OKAZAKI!!!! Even hobbling around he scores lol Akitod -- I don't think Okada was ever going to drop him anyway. Though I really liked how Maeda looked in the first half.
4-3!!!!! Inamoto Hasebe might be feeling his starting position slipping away. Likewise with Nakamura even. They get on with it without Nakamura.
Nakas my favorite player but I've long thought we need a sub for him. I think he's only good for 60-70m a match at this level of intensity.