The guy plays against Asian teams as if he's playing in the WC against the top European teams. Too much reservation and cautiousness. I understand playing with such tactics later on in the WC against ridiculously stronger opponents, but not now, especially against teams that are of your level or below.
Hi lads, lately I've been struggling so much to find Japan games links. Anyone have one to share please? It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks !
With the current standings, a draw would not be that bad. Japan seems to focus on earning the more realistic 2nd place and leave the Aussies for the playoffs. I feel Australia has a better chance to qualify via playoff than Japan to be honest.
That was the worst half of football I've seen from a JNT in last 20 years. Not even hint of how to coordinate attacking moves. No inter play in the front third. Players just running like headless chickens and as usual Nagatomo makes error of judgement that gives opposition advantage in our half. Moriyasu has to go after this game, even if he wins it
China is doing a favor for Japan now. Funny enough, if you count the head-to-head results, Oman deserves the 3rd place more than Japan at the moment.
Who would have thought that trying the same starting XI twice in the span of 4 days will give a positive result the second time... Jesus, Moriyasu is really limited even in basic thinking ability...
Ah, the good thing about Moriyasu is that we can all write the same thing every game. In my case it's: Don't play Minamino on the left wing, waste of position and waste of Minamino. Middle or nothing for him. Ito is mediocre. Ok, he had a good cross today, out of 700 balls he touched, then Osako did some Osako thing in the air for once. And I already write it now, because we all know it's going to happen, so won't have to say it after the second half: Putting in Asano is just stupid. But truly amazing how risk averse the first half was, safety first, second and third. And I wonder what Moriyasu actually writes down in his notebook.
What i'm afraid of is an Omani goal in the dying seconds against the run of play just like the 1st leg.
China has been doing Japan favor since the last round but the chicken of a manager Japan has is unable to capitalize on it.
Haha Agreed. I just noticed i've been parroting the same things since 2019 but nothing has changed. As for his notebook, for heaven's sake I do hope he writes football related things, not grocery list or cooking recipes.
A win is a win. But it looks so bad. Weird how much worse this team got in i recent months. Not creating shit in the last 20. one chance one goal.
Japan always needs a dribbler to open up the game, Nakajima 2 years ago, or Mitoma today. And Minamino on the left doesn't work, his best position is behind the striker.
Mission done but with fans being on their toes throughout the whole thing. Thankfully, the next two matches would be played at home and one of them is crucial to close in on KSA more. Don't screw this, Moriyasu! Oh and funny how Australia now finds itself in a tight spot after rounds of being at the top.
Asano for Osako is actually what I wanted. Osako couldn’t pressure at all with his lack of speed on any through balls.
Much more aggressive second half, Mitoma a game changer. But wasn't only him, team was clearly more aggressive and offensive. Mitoma great though, he did more on the left wing in the first 4 minutes of play than Minamino will do in a lifetime in that position. Not Minamino's fault though, simply not his position. And having a guy on a wing that can do more than run just showed how truly mediocre the guy on the right wing is. Kubo-Mitoma the way to go.