Official 2023 Nadeshiko Japan Thread [R] - なでしこジャパン（英語スレッド）

It was so funny to watch this whole action "it's your ball" comming from lack of communication between Shimizu and Koga

 

Playing against Brazil in Brazil is a good thing. I am just not sure playing against Brazil in Brazil in the middle of the day serves any real purpose other than to knock the ball about.

 

Not sure leading the match in this manner is a good thing… Probably Ikeda thinks his new system is working Despite leading by two goals because of poor Brazilian defence, the football is terrible. So frantic and the midfield is non existent.

It’s like Takakura’s reign when she started messing around good things she already had.

 

I still don't get why he changed things that were working. Surely it can't just be one defeat against Sweden? A few players even said it was their best game at the WC, even if we can disagree with that statement, so it shouldn't have been that traumatic...

 

That chance from Naomoto was probably the first time Japan actually broke them down this game. Though I know Brazil are not known for their defensive solidity and I don’t know what Brazil’s backline was doing.

 

Frankly they played better in the first match- simply because they had more better players. This system is still not working.

Like Nagano, Hayashi is not the right personnel in this role. When I watch her in West Ham shirt, she’s the most uninspiring player attacking wise, also she cannot press. Absolutely unsuitable for this role.

If Ikeda still thinks Kumagai playing the midfield is the answer for Nadeshiko going to the next level, well good luck to him.

 

I already complained about Miura not being called to the NT, but if Ikeda wants to stick to this system, it becomes even more annoying. She would be a much better option than Nagano or Hayashi as an 8 alongside Hasegawa.

 

But this Brazilian tour is not the first time, he tried this new system. He had used this already after the World Cup at least a couple of times. And they were much weaker opponents and still didn’t work performance wise. Not sure how many samples he needs.

 

I think he is looking to make the middle three (today it is Sugita, Kumagai. Hayashi) play much closer together when Nadeshiko have the ball. Against Sweden there was too much space. It does mean that Tanaka is left a lot more isolated and that Nadeshiko are not moving the ball as quickly.

But it is very hot and I imagine Paris will be hot in summer, so maybe he thinks this is a way to play to combat the heat. I am just speculating here. I quite liked the old formation.

I am not sure Endo is a good choice at left-back either. I really do not have a problem with her playing further up the pitch. I think Sugita has played well in midfield while Kumagai on the other hand....

 

Very true, but the rest of the West Ham midfield is even worse. Relegation a real threat for them imo.

 

I always wondered what happened to her…
I’d rather have players who are tenacious, lots of work rate, and skill to win the ball in the midfield rather than lanky centre back who can’t pass (this is not criticism to Saki but to Ikeda).

 

I get that he wants a more dense midfield, but it supposes to allow us to have more control over the game. Instead, it's having the opposite effect. Even against weaker opponents like Vietnam during the Olympic qualifiers, they were moments when we seemed to lose control. I think the Sweden game was more about players choice than the system.

Edit
Ishikawa in, Sugita off. Back to 3-4-3?

 

So after the substitution, it looks like the are playing with three backs. Hadegawa and Kumagai as a double pivot.

 

Not that I support Ikeda’s choice to change things up. But the system he employed at the WC only started “working” during the SBC about 4-5 months before the actual tournament. In this case the problem seems to be his reluctance to call in players that actually fit his vision.

 

Miyazawa subbed off seconds after coming on Nagano on.

 

Miyazawa rolled her ankle, just to be safe it's better to take her off.

Kumagai finds herself in good positions in midfield but her reactions are too slow to make the difference.

 

Shimizu needs to play at a better club so she isn’t constantly defending week after week. Her qualities in attack were more evident when she played for Beleza.

 

It was 29C at kick-off, not sure now.

 

~ +30 C ... that's 41 degrees more than is currently behind my window

 

Japan have had 0 shots in the second half right?