Still don't get it. Actually in the second 4 years had much less problems with Moriyasu's call ups. Ok, some minor issues, Furuhashi never really got a chance, when playing mostly not as CF, Hatate never really got a good look either, probably other details that I already forgot, but generally thought his call ups were good. But the WC squad is just weird. Nagatomo... (ok, as a Nagatomo fan I'm not ok with it, hope he plays him too, but of course it's idiotic to call him up) then endless strikers, and it's not as if Ogawa, Machino are actually good options. No Fujita, and Moriyasu seemed to rate him quite highly. For me was a no-brainer to get him in the original 26, 5 defensive midfielders, Endo, Fujita and the 3 that are left. No Morita of course another idiocy, but that one seemed likely (but still wrong) after he wasn't called up for the England friendlies.. This squad with all those strikers, that aren't needed is just weird. Yes, Seko and Itakura are supposed to be ok as defensive midfielders, don't know, a long time ago Itakura once did play a game or 2 there for the NT, wasn't impressed. Never seen Seko. But it needs different kind of physicality than central defender IMO. And if for some reason Moriyasu really thinks a 4th defensive midfielder isn't needed, then I would have called up Sato before Machino. Machino... he was a good prospect, young, on the way up 4 years ago. Now he's basically what he is, nothing special, didn't really get any better in the past 4 years. Size? You have Goto, Ogawa and Ueda, that should be enough. Just weird. On the japanese press, of course they ask. Before the England friendlies a reporter asked about Morita, Moriyasu in defensive and intimidation mode immediately, asked who the guy was, then something along the lines why do you always want to make trouble, then after the journalist had explained why he thought the question was ok, he gave a non-answer with his usual ahh, eeee, ooo uuus... "We know Morita, no need to test him, we can call him up anytime", something along these line, which sounded like bs then and of course it was.
I've just seen that Tsuyoshi Watanabe only found out about Endo retiring when he was asked about his opinion of this in an interview. So it seems that Endo didn't tell his teammates about his retirement? And why has he announced this now instead of after the World cup? He may have caused more trouble than he intended
I don't think Endo really said that, it's more a interpretation thing, I guess. Cause he said, that he tries everything to could get fit in time and for now he is like we all a fan and sheer for the JNT. I guess media interpret, that, that means he retired. Possibly but who knows what that means. It could also be some kind of translation issue.
The Japan national coach: Hayime Moriyasu Moriyasu (57) was a tireless controlling midfielder, who did an internship at Manchester United in 1990. A contract did not deliver. Moriyasu stayed with Mazda, which is now called Sanfrecce Hiroshima. At that club, he grew into a leader and figurehead in fourteen seasons. One year he had Ron Jans as a teammate and three seasons Wim Jansen as a trainer. Moriyasu built up a close friendship with the latter. When he visited Feyenoord-Celtic in the Champions League in November 2025, Moriyasu also visited the Willem Jansen square at Varkenoord and the grave of his former coach. From AD Sportwereld
Ok why the F does Japan need Machino? In which world? Not only does this team not need an additional striker... he is not even doing his role in scoring goals at Borussia M. Gladbach. WTF is going on? Score ratio of this is 350 minutes per goal he aint even a good striker never was much special to be honest anyway so perplexed about this
Yeah I agree totally, he is maybe one of the worst in form players and we didn't need him as another striker. He is also maybe the most not needed player and I guess you could pick 10-15 players in front of him who are upgrade the squad more then him. + its even more weird, cause I guess he will playing very less or nothing and he need the pre-season with Gladbach to come back on track and now he will miss a big part of it. As a good coach you would consider it in his case, cause you don't need him really. Why nominate him, when he is likely to play 0 role at the WC and on top this will mean he could do another bad season next time and is not really usefull for the JNT in the future.
Look my disappointment aside a half assed reason I can come up with are 1. The guy played during qualifiers and did quite well 5 goals in 13 matches so Moriyasu knows he already knows the system and will fit right in and knows what to expect from hi. Another bigger body target man if Japan needs it. 2. He was called as a last minute at last world cup as a substitute as well and Moriyasu probably liked his attitude and how he presented hinself Apart from that no ********ing clue... nons whatsoever this is strsnge as f. Here is my starting line up prediction .....................Ueda.......................... ..Nakamura.......................................... .......................................Kubo........ .................Kamada................. .................................Sano................. Junya Ito ........................... ritsu Doan .............................................................. ..............Ito...Itakura...Tomiyasu....... .............................................................. .......................Suzuki...........................
It would be so crazy if Watanabe sits in the bench. He should be Captain for the JNT. I think his season was superb. Top 3 CB in the Eredevise I would say. And he is a natural leader, it looks like for me. Itakura plays for the worse ranked team, played a individual weaker season, still okay but not great and are on paper the last 2 years definitely the weaker CB. Watanabe is getting better and better from season to season and is a player who develop step by step. When you want a CB as a Captain, then it should be Watanabe. Itakura is a good CB, we all are nightmared from his Asia Cup debacle but he has many many great games. It is okay when he starts with Ito but if Tomiyasu also starts this would be a punch for the team. Watanabe is our key player I would say for the WC.
I really hope not. But I guess you could be right. My question is, why change the backline from the England game ? It was a friendly true but to shut down England nearly 90 Minutes completely is something not every team could manage. I hope for Ito - Itakura - Watanabe
I think it will be Ito - Taniguchi - Itakura Itakura has been around with the Japan squad for a long while with 40 caps whereas Watanabe hasn't been around as long with 11 caps. Moriyasu probably favours familiarity over form so the longer a player has been with Moriyasu the more likely he plays. Moriyasu will be the best judge as to know which players to play as he and the coaching staff see them train every day. He will take ultimate responsibility for everything.
Not even in my worst nightmares. Bench warmer + retired player + bench warmer 2. Malen will rip them apart.
Has been quite good for Asia so far. Korea and Australia both win while Qatar draw for the first time ever. Confident about the match vs Netherland.
Yeah but this is the Netherlands, rank 8 in the world. Let's not underestimate them. No idea what to expect.
My kumbayah moment, I'm kinda rooting for all the AFC teams to do well. Socceroos played great against Turkiye, impressed with their defending. I hope Samurais are not intimidated and do the same
Netherlands are still favourites for me. Japan cant be to cocky and not their fans either. Im damn nervous already. 0 points today makes the situation really dangerous.
Today is the day! Let's be optimistic about today, even though we've had issues in the build up to this World cup we have an excellent team with solid management staff. We have to win the moments and take our chances today. Come on Samurai Blue, let's do this!!
Agreed. I feel every generation of Samurai, they're becoming more confident and not intimidated. Past squads Same. High pressure to perform. They've gained global respect from last world cup and it grows every year, when japanese players perform well in euro leagues. I don't know whether it's good or a jinx.
Last WC I started a tradition of learning and writing Kanji to invoke good outcomes for Japan. This time, I will be doing the same, but instead of words, it will be players. I will also clean my desk and wash my face before every Japanese game. I am not the most tidy person, so I must improve, and thus draw good energy towards the Samurai. I hope Ayase Ueda(上田 綺世) can use his knowledge of the Netherlands well, and score. I have faith in Japan outlasting the Dutch players in terms of running power.