Oh ffs again? Its almost like the JFA & KFA decide these things when they can't be bothered with negotiations with other FA's. Guaranteed full-house, big profile.
Prior to WC Asian qualification it makes sense to play Asia, but Korea is really not representative for our opponents in the 3rd round. What we need is to play a strong defensive side from the Mideast. Also, is Spain in June already confirmed?
http://www.nikkansports.com/soccer/japan/news/p-sc-tp2-20110209-734949.html JNT will play Czech Republic on June 1. Also, JFA currently in negotiations with Honduras for June 7. So it doesn't seem likely we play Spain in June after all. Edit: http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/soccer/japan/news/20110208-OHT1T00268.htm Yomiuri says we will play Peru on June 7.
So Montenegro, New Zealand, Czech Rep, Peru/Honduras to look forward to. hmm, a little disappointing I was hoping for Spain and a big team for June 7 but an Americas team isn't too out of place I suppose. ------------------------- Edit: Is the U22's game vs Kuwait MNT being broadcast?
Tulio will be back for the match against Montenegro! http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20110216-00000317-sph-socc Hopefully no more Yoshida starting anymore......
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzdosZyjY_0&feature=player_embedded#at=64"]YouTube - Nihonjin Kai[/ame]
http://japanesefootballersaroundtheglobe.blogspot.com/2011/02/honda-okazaki-nagatomo-reflecting-on.html Very interesting article and cool little blog which I'd never seen before (does somebody on here write it?).
Zaccheroni targets 2014 glory When Okada said 'top 4' most thought it was either motivational technique or just stupid. Because we all had seen examples of what the limits of Okada Japan were. But at least until Zac-Japan has its limits exposed by some team (when we're playing with the starters) I like to feel optimistic about that article.
Fantastic blog. I enjoy reading every posts in it. The interesting ones are Kashiwagi wants to be Endo's successor, and Kawashima story. I don't know if Kashiwagi really means it for JNT's benefit or for his development, but kudos for the guy.
I don't see a point to compare at this point. Okada retired and Zac basically built on the team structures he left behind, but he seems more adventurous personnel-wise. Also some regulars, especially CBs have been injured, there has been the usual post-WC-dip of form with Honda and particularly Matsui. Generally, a whole bunch of the roster is at new clubs. Considering all these plus the alternative managers rumored (Pellegrini, Bielsa, Fernandez, Manzano, van Basten) I must say we can be quite happy with how Zac is doing.
I agree with you , I was just arguing about the fact it was easier to believe a top 4 finish in the WC coming from Zac. The WC team would probably have won the Asian Cup as well.
Bielsa with this crop of Japanese talent, I don't know if we would win as much, but boy howdy would that have been fun to watch.
Probably more entertaining, on and off the pitch... and we would never know what happens next. Maybe like Osim on speed. To be honest, I can do really without these mad professor-types for a while...
Preliminary New Zealand squad of 30 to play Japan. To be cut to 22 later. In bold are the notable players. Goalkeepers Glen Moss (Gold Coast United, Australia - 16/0) Jake Gleeson (Portland Timbers, Usa - 0/0) Mark Paston (Wellington Phoenix - 28/0) Defenders Andrew Boyens (Chivas, Usa - 16/0) Michael Boxall (Vancouver Whitecaps, Can - 0/0) Michael Fitzgerald (Albirex Niigata, ****** - 0/0) Tony Lochhead (Wellington Phoenix - 33 0) Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn Rovers, Eng - 45/9) Winston Reid (West Ham, Eng - 8/1) Luke Rowe (Birmingham City, Eng - 0/0) Ben Sigmund (Wellington Phoenix - 16/1) Tommy Smith (Ipswich Town, Eng - 7/0) Midfielders Leo Bertos (Wellington Phoenix - 39/0) Jeremy Brockie (Newcastle Jets, Aus - 21/0) Tim Brown (Wellington Phoenix - 27/0) Jeremy Christie (Tampa Bay, Usa - 26/1) Aaron Clapham (Canterbury United - 2/0) Simon Elliott (Chivas, Usa - 68/8) Craig Henderson (Mjallby, Swe - 0/0) Michael Mcglinchey (Central Coast Mariners, Aus - 7/0) Cole Peverley (Charleston Battery, Usa - 1/0) David Mulligan (Auckland City - 25/3) Marco Rojas (Wellington Phoenix - 0/0) Ivan Vicelich (Auckland City - 71/7) Forwards Kosta Barbarouses (Brisbane Roar, Aus - 1/0) Kris Bright (Budapest Honvéd, Hun - 4/1) Rory Fallon (Plymouth Argyle, Eng - 11/3) Chris Killen (Shenzhen Ruby, Chn - 36/18) Shane Smeltz (Gold Coast United, Aus - 34/18) Chris Wood (West Bromwich Albion, Eng - 14/1)