Of course it matters, it matters a lot. That means you are one of the best 16 teams or now the best 32. That's a huge achievement. But of course Japan should aim higher. To go out in the group stage or go through and lose the first knock out stage is a difference from worlds.
Yes of course, but year after year just end there. The development stops. Just look this WC, everybody said this was Japans year. The best team they had. Still, same thing as always.
They improved nonetheless from WC to WC. 2018, they were strong in a even group but lost 1 game in the group 2022, they were even stronger in a death group, beat Spain and Germany but also lost 1 time 2026, they get unbeaten through in the group in a very tough group also That's massive improvements I would say + they break many record out of the WC. So you can't say they didn't made steps. They made significant steps but of course not the ones we want. But they increase alot.
We always draw a group with at least a Top Team that preclude us to win the group (while others draw the likes of South Africa, Canada etc) and even if we won the group (like in 2002 and 2022) we draw no matter what a strong or top team in RO32/16. The last and only time Japan draw a normal team and not a powerhouse was in 2010 aka 16 years ago. As things stand now when JNT face a whatever opponent in a WC I'm not intimidated and negative as I was 16 years ago. After won the death group in 2022 and keep passing the group stage as it's normal (instead of exceptional) I always think that Japan can do his job and most of time it did. Luck. This WC started, going on and ended without an inch of good luck. Injuries before the WC + bad group stage draw + injuries during the WC + bad KO stage match, tell me who would be immune to this catastrophic scenario. Moriyasu and the team have their guilts but nothing helped this NT in whole process. Nothing.
(20) Tiago Bontempo on X: "Surgiu a teoria de que a continuação do Moriyasu por 6 meses poderia ser apenas para dar tempo a Makoto Hasebe tirar a licença de técnico. Assim, o período até a Copa da Ásia seria a transição da gestão Moriyasu para a gestão Hasebe." / X Well, there is indeed this theory but no one knows officially what is going behind the scenes. Am not sure if Hasebe is suitable to take over so soon though, is 6 months enough time that he gets the license? If Hasebe is taking over straight from Moriyasu, might as well let Moriyasu stay for 1 year in case if 6 months if not enough.
I think Japan is able to produce good players consistently, but still to be WC Winners we need to be able to produce many stars in different positions that starts regularly for the top clubs in the world. Japan is still lacking in that regard, closest was when Tomiyasu was starting regularly in the season they finished 1 point behind Man City but rest of the seasons he was frequently injured. In addition, the tactics/formations need to improve. Which is why I was hoping for Toru Oniki to take over from Moriyasu if possible, as he is the most decorated local coach but Go Oiwa is close enough. But depending on Hasebe is not enough, need other players to step up and get their licenses so that they can bring their European football knowledge over here for Japan to learn from them.
I also thnk the team and the group is better and you can clearly see the individual level has increased. But they need results. Look at your list its 8 years of the same. Nothing has increased result wise. And results is the thing that counts.
Japan is following the Switzerland route in my opinion, slow and steady. When the draw is right, able to make a further run beyond getting out of the group stages. Countries like Belgium is simply blessed with the presence of Thibault Courtois and previously world-class players like Eden Hazard and De-Bruyne in their prime, etc. but when they are unavailable or not playing well, you will see that they won't go far. Relying on a few key players to get your forward is risky because of the lack in squad depth. France/Spain where they regularly produces world-class players will be the role model, but it is still quite a distance for Japan to be able to reach this level in term of having such their talent pipeline(s).
Agreed. Kind of the same. Teams that are not world class needs to be little lucky with the draws. Simple as that. People still rely on the " you need to beat all the teams anyway" statement all the time. Tired of it. You do if you want gold, otherwise you could have luck on your side, wich honestly is a big part of this game. Belgium did take the bronze with the golden generation. I know some believed Japan could ve done something similar. A part of me of also think its a negative rating for the other teams that Belgium has reached so far this tournament. I dont think they are that good. But they managed to turn the Senegal game around and here we are. Alot of teams Japan included cant hold onto a leading score to save their lifes. I be the first one to apologize if Belgium does the impossible tonight. But i highly doubt it.
I think that when you are able to won against the likes of Brazil, Croatia and 2018 Belgium (deserved victory not a casual one) then probably you are good enough to fight for the final4 and when you arrived to a semifinal everything can happen. Then win a KO stage vs the types of opponents JNT faced is 1 step before go for the final thing.
Oh come on... Before: > Atrocious pre-WC > Okada near resignation a couple of weeks before the start > Played with Honda invented last minute false #9 for the whole thing cuz of lacks of FWs > Paraguay won Italy group they were not as weak as you inteded > The same Paraguay clash was thanks to irregular Netherlands goal in the group stage or Japan would have ended first and draw the easier Slovakia During: > Crossbar by Matsui > Totally balanced match against a CONMENBOL (Japan's boogey fed) good side > Lost at PKs just for crossbar by Komano That match was not an easy task and Japan was one of the surprise of hat WC. They did pretty well and miss che R8 for an inch. Ended as the 9th team in the World was something remarkable since we are talking before Kagawa at BvB and all the consecutive migration of japanese talents in Europe.
They were unlucky and not everything was perfect pre-WC or during but my point is that Paraguay was more than beatable (decent side but not world-class by any means) and Japan hasn't always had beatable sides in the round of 16. I don't think Turkey in 2002 was beatable, for instance, or Croatia in 2022.
Japan should completely revamp the starting 11 before the Asian Cup imo, don't wait until the Asian Cup is finished then start with the change. Ancelotti is staying on because CBF wants him to phase out all the older players e.g Neymar, Danilo, Becker and Casemiro, etc. I think Rion Ichihara and Kazunari Kita, both whom are playing respectively in the Dutch League and La Liga can be slowly eased in from now till Asian Cup. Hope Kota Takai can slowly find back his form as well. JNT should immediately start with the revamping now under Moriyasu, so that after Asian Cup finished the new JNT coach can manage a team where the players roughly know each other well alongside with newer potential entrants (if they are performing well in Europe leading up to WC 2030), etc
I agree with you, I'm just not sure why the JFA is insisting on keeping Moriyasu until after the Asian Cup when Japan should be focused on doing well in the tournament and winning their first Asian Cup in 15 years.
Sure I can somewhat understand that but not winning it for 15 years does not make Japan look good at all.
Ikr? Raising the white flag without even trying is not a good look for Japan. Fans always demand JNT play bravely against the elite teams, but when it comes to the Asian Cup, suddenly some ask them to not be serious and just quit?! What kind of a mindset is this?! In 2004, Japan won the Asian Cup in hostile China despite all the odds and showed the character of a champion, and now they should just quit because, oh no, it's being held in Saudi?! Gimme a break! 15 years without a continental title is a bit too much.
Bellingham showing the difference having an elite match winner on your squad can make. Gosh I hope one day Japan can find a player like this.