Actually it looks like a mid-February camp is in the works. No international friendlies though, only practice matches against clubs or university teams. http://www.nikkansports.com/soccer/japan/news/p-sc-tp2-20131120-1220482.html
Speaking of that, I am wondering why there has been so much clamor about the weather in Brazil. It will be in the middle of their winter, right? Even in the equatorial areas, I can't imagine that the weather could be any worse than the middle of summer in the US southeast and southwest in 94. Right?
Right and right, winter's weather in Brazil is pretty comfortable in the south and southeast. The problem lies in the North and Northeast, weather there is hot and humid even in the winter
I cant imagine games starting at 13:00 in the North/Northeast region. That would be insane by fifa. Endo visiting São Bento FC. http://globotv.globo.com/tv-tem-int...aba-e-relembra-passagem-no-sao-bento/2999632/
Pekerman (Colombia's manager) focused on Zac. Fernando Santos (Greece's manager), but I don't understand anything.
Colombia has many talents at the moment and a good coach, they proved it not only in the qualifications but also in their big international friendlies. I think they have even a shot at winning it. Not because I have it in my pool (laughs), I already said it along with Argentina and Brazil. The fact that this World Cup is played in South America will make a difference. Greece, I've seen their qualification against Romania, they did a good job. Ivory Coast... I think they may be the best african team... anyway, I'm okay with it. I don't complain in general. It could've gone better, worse but it's up to us in the end. (possibly answering about the wether) yeah it's a problem, we'll have to deal with that, especially since it won't be a problem for Ivory Coast... we have to prepare it in every detail. I think we will based in Sao Paulo, it seems that it may be a bit colder there, it would have been better to prepare in a hotter place to go to a colder one but we'll find a solution (laughs) Yeah, it's a balanced group, the asian team has a very good level, and Ivory Coast too, it's their third world cup in a row, they're good. And Greece, I respect them too. Maybe they have a bit less history, but still it's a good team. It will be interesting because of the different styles. An high level african team, a japanese team with many players playing in Europe and has played very well- then I can't hear lol Then he's praising a selection but I have no idea what it is since the questions aren't there lol I can't understand everything but basically: The draw is the draw, some may be favourited in theory, some may be harder, it's a balanced group; Colombia is very strong, many players played in Portugal, Ivory Coast has played of great quality, and it seems that he's a bit downplaying Japan ?
Nope, he said 'The group is pretty much leveled. Everyone can say they're satisfied with draw's result. I think that Japan is very good, strong team. There are many players who play well in countries like England, Germany and Italy. We need to learn more about them (in preparations for the WC).'
Prove it. Japan beat Argentina, France and Belgium and almost beat Italy and Netherlands in the last three years. Russia are an average team by the way! Since the independence, they have never done anything except for EURO 2008. I put them in the same category as Denmark who were crushed by Japan in 2010. No excuses. Iran is a football mad country and Japan isn't! In Japan football is ignored by the media except for national team and oversea players news. Politicians and rich men prefer baseball to football too. That's why J-League has few football specific stadiums.
I heard they will stay in Ribeirão Preto, which is one of the hottest cities in the state of São Paulo, even in winter
I already translated Zac's comment, they're staying in Sao Paulo. But it may be better if they train in some hot. The problem is that their "winter" is still part of the tropical climate...
um……..Japan beat Argentina, France, Belgium, and drew Dutch…………..you were saying? Unfortunately Iran Federation will most likely be poor for a long time. So you can't really use it as an excuse cause it's the norm, that IS the Iran football federation. It'd be like saying Iran aren't as good as Argentina players cause of 'form' when in truth they don't normally have the same ability as the Argentinian players.
Gervinho has been tearing it up for Roma and is quickly becoming one of my favorite players. The thought of him running at our slow defense with Drogba waiting in the middle makes me scared though. This is gonna be another match where we just defend deep and hope Honda or Kagawa make some magic.
Gervinho really was amazing today. But Uchida and Nagatomo have dealt with Ribéry, Neymar, Eto'o and others between them... Yoshida is pretty slow but he's hardly the first center back with that drawback.
Yoshida has a slow acceleration but his max speed is good for a center back, I haven't seen him being outpaced very often in the Prem last year.