So JFA have announced friendlies with Brazil and Paraguay. Followed by a Kirin cup where Japan will play Ghana with winner playing either Chile or Tunisia (losers play for 3rd as well). Other than Brazil arguably, these teams are all fairly irrelevant in style to Japan's group stage opponents. Why cant the JFA get a game vs Portugal?
No European teams though..... i mean cmon why are we playing Ghana. Good deal for them, they are against S Korea. Does uefa have nations league then is that the case?
This time there's pretty much no opportnuity to face off UEFA sides. All the Non European teams have to do without it due to the UEFA Nations League kicking off its third edition in June. All UEFA sides will be engaged in it in June (4 matchdays) and September (2 matchdays). Teams that kick off their World Cup campaign later might be able to squeeze a friendly with an UEFA team must before the World Cup. That's it. Highly doubtful Japan could do that as their first game with Germany is on the third day of the World Cup.
2 Nations League match days will be played in September, hence Japan can squeeze in at least 1 friendly vs. a European team. There are rumours suggesting that Japan may play France in September.
France would be a good friendly to prepare for Germany. Upcoming friendlies and frankly every game since 2018 Japan hasnt otherwise played a team like Germany at all. Or even European
Theres 2 matches in the September international break. France and Mexico I think would be the ideal matches to finish prep.
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/...eing-historic-world-cup-last-8-for-japan.html I know its harsh but I dont think Yoshida will in my mind surpass Nakazawa or Tulio. Rightly or wrongly. Tomiyasu may however.
GK KAWASHIMA Eiji (RC Strasbourg/France)) GONDA Shuichi (Shimizu S-Pulse) SCHMIDT Daniel (Sint-Truidense VV/Belgium) OSAKO Keisuke (Sanfrecce Hiroshima) DF NAGATOMO Yuto (FC Tokyo) YOSHIDA Maya (UC Sampdoria/Italy) TANIGUCHI Shogo (Kawasaki Frontale) YAMANE Miki (Kawasaki Frontale) ITAKURA Kou (FC Schalke 04/Germany) NAKAYAMA Yuta (PEC Zwolle/Netherlands) TOMIYASU Takehiro (Arsenal/England) ITO Hiroki (VfB Stuttgart/Germany)* SUGAWARA Yukinari (AZ Alkmaar/Netherlands) MF/FW HARAGUCHI Genki (1.FC Union Berlin/Germany) SHIBASAKI Gaku (CD Leganes/Spain) ENDO Wataru (VfB Stuttgart/Germany) ITO Junya (KRC Genk/Belgium) ASANO Takuma (VfL Bochum/Germany) MINAMINO Takumi (Liverpool FC/England) FURUHASHI Kyogo (Celtic FC/Scotland) MORITA Hidemasa (CD Santa Clara/Portugal) KAMADA Daichi (Eintracht Frankfurt/Germany) MITOMA Kaoru (Royale Union Saint‑Gilloise/Belgium) MAEDA Daizen (Celtic FC/Scotland) DOAN Ritsu (PSV Eindhoven/Netherlands) UEDA Ayase (Kashima Antlers) TANAKA Ao (Fortuna Dusseldorf/Germany) KUBO Takefusa (RCD Mallorca/Spain)
Osako and Sakai injured I guess, at least not playing in J League either. Still interesting who isn't here for the rest. Defence, Ueda and Muroya, both definitely out it seems. Ueda no loss, high time to try Ito, and Tomiyasu-Yoshida-Taniguchi-Itakura are better than him anyway. Muroya, liked him, for the NT IMO he hasn't been worse than Yamane so far. Right to call up Sugawara, but calling up Muroya too wouldn't have been wrong. Midfield, only one really missing is Hatate. Should be there IMO. Nakajima seems out, no idea how he's been doing, but the Nakajima of 3,5 years ago would be huge. But ok, Moriyasu seems set on midfield and offence... we'll get more wasting of Minamino on the left side... I hope Moriyasu at least tries the 4-2-3-1 again in one of the upcoming games.
The likes of Ayumu Seko/Daiki Hashioka/Koki Machida, etc. can be tried as well on top of Hiroki Ito and Itakura, etc. Ayumi Seko particularly as feel that his passing skills are pretty decent for a CB. However, not really a fan of the likes of Yamane/Taniguchi/Muroya, etc. being tried. Especially Taniguchi who has been tried a few times but hasn't really been very impressive imo.
I also miss Hayao Kawabe in the midfield, he is the best japanese #8 today IMO. Would love to see Japan playing in 4-2-3-1 as well, with Kamada playing as a #10.
Lot of sloppy passes in the defensive third. Apparently Korea Republic are 1-1 so far with Brazil. Edit: Maeda jesus christ.......like practicing for the 2022WC Yanagisawa miss
lolz Maeda Solid game actually. I liked quite a few players. Doan, Haraguchi for example. But it was almost too easy, unsure how strong this Paraguay was. Next one vs Brazil will be the real deal. Still a good confidence boost
Amazing what happens when you play the in-form guys who just completed a solid season of European football.
LOL. Even at the Korean game today I saw Koreans not wearing a mask, but in Japan they continue with this shit... not allowing chants, still "positive" cases in J-league...
Good result. I wonder if he is really going for Asano as a top striker in the WC. And benching Furuhashi.