Official 2022+ Samurai Blue thread

A very difficult match against a top team. Taniguchi looks shaky. Kubo hardly does anything for the offensive play. And Maeda and Nakamura can not replace Mitoma.

Japan is really missing Mitoma and Minamino

 

Yes , Kamada is just walking, why is this?

 

Difficult game indeed but it's going exactly as I expected. I was not expecting Japan or the Netherlands to go in this game and attack immediately.

 

I'm not saying Kamada was great, just that he offered some options forward and tried something unlike Kubo, Doan and a few others who were invisible.

 

If you remember the last world Cup this is exactly how Japan played against the top teams in the first half, if you recall the second half against Germany Japan changed it up and went much more offensive, we'll see if it's the same here, maybe Moriyasu would be happy with a point and will stick to the plan

 

Long time since I saw Japan so passive, many players totally invisible.

 

Was it this passive? i dont remember

 

Knowing Moriyasu from the past he will only make major changes when he is forced to do. Otherwise he will stick with the same game plan.

 

Good game by Japan... actually I think should slow it down even more. Kubo is busy with Gakpo, helping Doan, that's why he's not pressing much. Nothing much to complain, let's see the second half.

 

Thinking about the pace, both teams may be thinking that is not wise to play at a high pace for majority of the game and for the rest of the tournament. Morocco played with intensity yesterday in the first half but slowed down in the second half

 

Yeah, japan soaked up a lot of pressure in that match and changed it in the second half but as someone mentioned it was probably reactive. I suppose it's like mourinho PL days, play for the point or catch them on the counter

 

This is such a good point, it reminded me a lot of the Germany game in 2022 except that Germany created more opportunities in that first half than the Netherlands this time.

 

Nightmare start

 

Critical. Our aerial defence has been very poor today. And it has hurt us badly

 

It's the 2010 match all over again.
Let's hope for a draw.

 

It was only a matter of time, poor defending from Watanabe. Now they have to go all in.

 

It was because of Taniguchi why it was not an offside. And Watanabe also did not look good.

Good lesson for Moriyasu

 

This one is even worse, in 2010 if it weren't for Kawashima's mistake it could have ended 0-0.

 

With this kind of display, even getting a draw will feel like a 5-0 win.

 

Questionable call-ups and lack of proper preparation matches hurt us badly.
Let's see what the horde of offensive players Moriyasu called would do.

 

Offside possibly, let's see.

 

YESSSS!

 

NAKAMURA!!!!

 

1-1, goal stands! THIS is how you play!