It's pointless for me to comment on the roster, since they, so far, do earn results, i.e. 5 consecutive victories after that slump against KSA. Let us all hope for the best and for Japan to top its group as it should.
Osako out, finally! https://www.nippon.com/en/news/kd87...orward-osako-for-australia-vietnam-games.html
Osako is one thing but Sakai out is kind of troublesome. I have no doubt in Yamane's ability but for next crucial games, stability in defense is important and Sakai has deep understanding with other defenders. Also, Sakai's form is much more positive than Osako after going back to JLeague.
Good. Rest up for the Glasgow derby and win the league title. Better than flying for 18+ hours and sitting on the bench with Asano for most of the game.
I believe the Australians have a couple injuries too. Rogic is a doubt who now is their best player. They've been inspired by Qatar & China NT's, they've called up a 34yo Uruguayan player who has been in the A-League for 5 years. After a lengthy career in which he identified as Uruguayan (former youth international) and came to Aus for the job.
Won't be able to see the game tomorrow It really is the ideal game for Moriyasu-Japan and his no risk football. Waiting for counters. Here with a team that normally is slightly weaker and is forced to attack, Australia needs the win, the situation is ideal to show how the tactic works when it actually makes sense. In this situation and with the team Moriyasu seems to be trying to build, really only a win is acceptable. Of course I'll take a draw too, but really should be a win. Up front, I'm actually a bit worried without Osako. What if he decides to start Asano????? I'd rather have Osako then, otherwise good chance to try something else. I'd go with Minamino up front, Hatate on the left. Minamino on the left is wasted, finally play him in the middle, that's where he belongs. Ideally as second striker, only striker works too. But if Moriyasu goes for Ueda or Hayashi that's ok too, as long as he still puts Hatate on the left. Otherwise for once I'm even ok with the non-dribbling dribbler who's unable to make a decent high cross starting, like for Japan this seems the ideal game for Ito.
Ito delivers good grosses. 70 Scorer Points in 136 games vor Genk shows it. And he is the new "Honda" since the last months which means, he is the guy with balls. The Game Changer.
Hmmm... it's a shame Moriyasu didn't have countless chances in the last few years to experiment with other FW options. This is excellent, like I've said before only an injury to Osako would force Moriyasu to play someone else.
Nagatomo if I remember correct was actually rather good last game. Given the injuries and the away match in Australia I think he's needed in this moment. No Hiroki Sakai is a big loss, probably the most vulnerable of them. There are a couple ways I'm not sure which is best. Yamane played there away to Oman so probably will get the nod. Otherwise midfield I doubt will change, Hatate may be option from bench but broadly speaking it'll be Tanaka/Endo/Morita I really like the partnership those 3 have started to garner. I think forwards if I had my way would be; Asano left wing, Minamino centre, and Ito right winger. Options outside this with Kubo, Ueda and Mitoma. I hope its; Asano---Minamino---Ito Morita--Tanaka Endo Nagatomo--Yoshida--Itakura---Yamane Gonda
IMHO Mitoma would be huge risk playing in this game (coming back from injury, heavy rain forecasted). It would be great for Kawasaki nucleus of this team if Yamane and Taniguchi play in the backline, they'll know each other's style very well despite the short time together for this WCQ. Hayashi running around up front not bad option for the last 20-30 minutes if playing for the draw. Otherwise Minamino or Ueda up front.
Lol it appears I called the exact starting XI Though google has Asano in the centre, Minamino on the left but I suspect they'll rotate.
He will never. And we all knew Asano was going to start. Just fix this now Japan. And fire Moriyasu. Begin work against Qatar.
Well as far as the Australian commentators are concerned Moriyasu is brilliant for brining on Mitoma who scored both goals.
If only Mitoma could play against Spain in the Olympics... And all of the Kawasaki boys were sensational today. Yamane was also solid. Even if Hatate plays to make JNT a makeshift Frontale I would make no complains.
How about the experiment "fire Moriyasu"? Ok, won't happen.. but Asano has no place even in the huge squad Moriyasu called for these 2 games. Actually starting him IMO is a firing offence. What's next, he'll call up Nagai, another speedster and drop Kubo, since Kubo's main strength isn't speed? From the highlights quite a few chances...so that's good. Couldn't find Australia's disallowed goal yet.. seems to have been a questionable call from what I read. Mitoma... well, now he will never start, scores twice as sub, Moriyasu now will be convinced that this is the only possible way to use him.
It is possible provided the team delivered poorly in the friendlies leading up to the WC, just like what happened with Halilodzic, but, yeah, something tell me he will stay regardless.
Well, we may never know. He might be able to grind results playing defensively, but i'm more concerned of his tactical variety i.e. how well he'll respond to the opponents change in tactics. That Belgium game of WC2018 still give me nightmares to this day.
KSA vs CHN 1-1 Japan now has a great chance to top the group even though it doesn't mean much besides bragging rights.
I think that may have an incidence ahead of the group draw for the World Cup. The higher we get, the better odds we have of facing "weaker" teams. Saw the match replay finally. It was hairy as usual with all of those misses by the guys in blue and the risk of taking an Australian sucker punch out of nowhere, but our boys held on and scored the backbreaker when it mattered. And suddenly the Saudi team doesn't look this invincible anymore. That's a change of tone I gladly welcome.