Japan's defense has so many question marks. To start off, Uchida and Yoshida are coming back from injury. That is why Zacc is giving them a lot of minutes compared to the other players (besides Kagawa and Honda who are also playing a lot for the same reason). Konno has been playing as a midfielder for Gamba Osaka a lot and at the World Cup he'll be back playing as a cb. In midfield, Hasebe has also recently come back from injury. Endo , at times, has played in several positions other than midfield for Gamba Osaka as well, but he's probably the last person of the players I mentioned that Japanese fans should worry about.
Japan
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Japan's defense has so many question marks. To start off, Uchida and Yoshida are coming back from injury. That is why Zacc is giving them a lot of minutes compared to the other players (besides Kagawa and Honda who are also playing a lot for the same reason). Konno has been playing as a midfielder for Gamba Osaka a lot and at the World Cup he'll be back playing as a cb. In midfield, Hasebe has also recently come back from injury. Endo , at times, has played in several positions other than midfield for Gamba Osaka as well, but he's probably the last person of the players I mentioned that Japanese fans should worry about.
Agreed on that, but judging from the recent games I'm saying Morishige will replace Konno at CB and Yamaguchi either of the two CMs, and the team looks better for that.
Personally I would like to see Nishikawa replace Kawashima as GK, but I'm not betting on it as GKs rarely get changed.
I kind of agree with that. Yamaguchi is younger and can cover ground faster. He also breaks up attacks better than Endo or Hasebe. His passing isn't impressive, nor is his overall technique or his ability to play in small spaces. I'm curious to see how he does in Brazil should he play. I always thought he wasn't good enough for Europe when watching him play for Cerezo, but Zacc believes in him. My evaluation of him could be proven wrong.
Exactly, and this was what the team lacked in the Endo-Hasebe duo.
Hopefully you'd be pleasantly suprised when you see him play in Brazil. He does have solid technique, and in terms of hitting strong passes to the forwards from the back line, he may be better than the other two.
The offensive MOM in Japan's win against Costa Rica today is Kagawa, but the "connaisseurs" think Yamaguchi is the real MOM.
In rumors he's been linked with 1.FC Koln, Fiorentina, and Atalanta.
I missed the Costa Rica game, so I could only see the highlights.
How was Yamaguchi defensively? I thought he was horrendous in this aspect vs Cyprus, but did really well offensively.
How was Yamaguchi defensively? I thought he was horrendous in this aspect vs Cyprus, but did really well offensively.
I think he did well both defensively and offensively against CR.
But then I didn't think he was bad defensively against Cyprus, so you might have better eyes than I do! I'd have to review the video for a definitive reply...
I see him play all the time. I watch every Cerezo Osaka match. What I mean is that his technique isn't at Kagawa's level. It's solid, but not extraordinary.
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I been a fan of Japan and South Korea since they hosted the World Cup
Hope both do well, but I think at the moment, Japan have much better chance of progressing, despite them being in the true group of death (all 4 teams just as likely to qualify as be eliminated)
Hope both do well, but I think at the moment, Japan have much better chance of progressing, despite them being in the true group of death (all 4 teams just as likely to qualify as be eliminated)
Agreed.
Kagawa excels in controlling the ball while running at speed. In the Japan NT perhaps he and Kakitani are at the same level and everyone else falls behind in this respect.
I'm a great fan of Kagawa's but one thing he doesn't excel in is powerful midrange shots. Yamaguchi could be better there. Plus he's scored some FKs for his club (as you may know since you watch Cerezo) which I believe Kagawa doesn't do.
As a CM Yamagichi doesn't get caught by presses easily (it's not like he needs to elbow his opponent to create space when pressed), he can control and move the ball enough to pass to retain possession, and trying to make offensive passes up the field instead of down as much as possible.
So while he may not show the flashy techniques of an attacker, he's good enough to be a good CM, I think.
In the Kagawa thread in the main forum, some people have commented that he's played with more confidence and taking risks in his NT game.
He might be trying to learn to be a bad boy.
(I found a Kagawa thread in the Newbie's forum but somehow I didn't think this pic to be appropriate to the discussion there, so I'll post it here.)
He might be trying to learn to be a bad boy.
(I found a Kagawa thread in the Newbie's forum but somehow I didn't think this pic to be appropriate to the discussion there, so I'll post it here.)
I cant imagine Shinji will try to copied Zlatan 
I cant imagine Shinji will try to copied Zlatan
He's going to have problems with his new manager for his behavior!
He's probably going to start stealing bicycles and doing donuts in Ryan Giggs' driveway.
Well, that Zlatan books, i think its still a good read..many positive review for it..
I thought his English's supposedly not very good, he can read a whole book on his own?
The Japanese translation has the exact same cover. I don't think he can read an English book.
http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/aw/d/4809410765?pc_redir=1401705140&robot_redir=1
That's much more likely...
I'm expecting Japan to do well in the WC. They may have some lapses in defense but their football is very good, in fact it's impressive for me. They're going into this WC in very good form given they haven't lost any game since qualifying for the WC. They won all their 5 games since qualifying and drawn against the likes of Netherlands while beating Belgium. They've got it for this WC
Do you think they would play even better if they switched their forward line so that Honda was the central forward with Kagawa playing as central AM behind him and in front of the midfield? Then have 2 wide strikers attacking from the sides.
To be fair Japan has lost all three games in the Confederations Cup a year ago, has lost to Uruguay 2-4 in a friendly last August, and after wins against Guatemala and Ghana, has lost to Serbia 0-2 and Belarus 0-1 last October, before the draw with Netherlands that you mention.
At that time some fans were anxious to sack to manager Zaccheroni.
Then from the Netherlands game he started using CM Yamaguchi, and things seems to have improved, as mentioned in my previous message.
That's why I mentioned their form since qualifying and they recent results which is all that should matter going into the WC. To be honest, last year Japan left me WTFking in the confederation cup. Their display against Brazil threw me off a bit and I was very surprised. The Italy game is an odd one, given Japan totally outplayed Italy(I remember Kagawa being on top of his game that night, he outplayed Pirlo) then went on and lost that game. And the Mexico game felt like they just didn't feel in it anymore given they were already out of the tournament.
But no excuse, they really did poorly in the Confed. But that's a year ago. Recently things seems to be different for Japan, like you said they seem to have found some working formula and their recent results are showing. Their form(current one) going into the WC is really good and should give them a boost in confidence especially after drawing against The Netherlands and beating Belgium.
@Jefferie: Well, they current formula seem to be bearing fruits so far, so why change. I guess they should stick with their current set ups and formations and try to continue in their current momentum and hopefully take it to the WC where everything matter
Agreed, Santoryo. They are generally doing better than last year, so I hope they do well.
You mention two things here, Honda as central forward and Kagawa as CAM.
Honda as central forward is not a possibility with the current team. He actually was used in this role in the previous World Cup in South Africa. Going in to the previous WC, Japan was really struggling. Last test match before the WC was a 0-2 loss against none other than Ivory Coast. Japan was not able to hold the ball at all up front.
So from the first game in the WC, they tried something they've never done before: using Honda at the forward position and having a three man defensive midfield. This was an emergency change. The defensive style was a realistic choice with the at the time, but it wasn't a particularly attractive style of play.
With the current team the forward options are Osako, Kakitani, Okubo, or perhaps even Okazaki. Personally Osako is my favorite to play this position. (Osako played for a Bundesliga division 2 team 1860 Munich the past season. His transfer to division 1 team 1.FC Koln was just announced.)
Kagawa as CAM has been tried a few times, but whenever Honda is available Zacc has preferred to use Honda in this role. He is generally considered better at holding on to the ball when defenders charge you from behind in the crowded center area. Kagawa as CAM in the NT may work but Zacc hasn't tried it enough for the team-combination to be mature. Kagawa does tend to drift in and roam around relatively freely anyway, and the current style of interchange of positions seems to be working so far.
Having said all this, a big concern for Japan at the moment is Honda's shape. He might become a liability if his conditions do not improve. We'll see how he does in the last test match against Zambia.
You mention two things here, Honda as central forward and Kagawa as CAM.
Honda as central forward is not a possibility with the current team. He actually was used in this role in the previous World Cup in South Africa. Going in to the previous WC, Japan was really struggling. Last test match before the WC was a 0-2 loss against none other than Ivory Coast. Japan was not able to hold the ball at all up front.
So from the first game in the WC, they tried something they've never done before: using Honda at the forward position and having a three man defensive midfield. This was an emergency change. The defensive style was a realistic choice with the at the time, but it wasn't a particularly attractive style of play.
With the current team the forward options are Osako, Kakitani, Okubo, or perhaps even Okazaki. Personally Osako is my favorite to play this position. (Osako played for a Bundesliga division 2 team 1860 Munich the past season. His transfer to division 1 team 1.FC Koln was just announced.)
Kagawa as CAM has been tried a few times, but whenever Honda is available Zacc has preferred to use Honda in this role. He is generally considered better at holding on to the ball when defenders charge you from behind in the crowded center area. Kagawa as CAM in the NT may work but Zacc hasn't tried it enough for the team-combination to be mature. Kagawa does tend to drift in and roam around relatively freely anyway, and the current style of interchange of positions seems to be working so far.
Having said all this, a big concern for Japan at the moment is Honda's shape. He might become a liability if his conditions do not improve. We'll see how he does in the last test match against Zambia.
Japan's starters for Zambia test match.
Uchida - Yoshida - Konno - Nagatomo
Okazaki - Honda - Kagawa
Comments:
Nishikawa
Uchida - Yoshida - Konno - Nagatomo
Yamagaguchi - Endo
Okazaki - Honda - Kagawa
Kakitani
Comments:
- Kawashima has started in most recent games but I actually prefer Nishikawa personally.
- Konno starts over Morishige? Please not against Ivory Coast..
- CF Kakitani is a small surprise. Thought it would be Osako.
- Should Japan start with Endo? He might not last 90 minutes.
Come on Zambia! Should be a good game
I really dunno how they work communication between goalkeeper and defenders in training, but I would be extremely pissed off if I was the coach. Watching a number of matches involving Japan, I don't think there's an area on which I insist they need to work a lot more about before the WC. It's a shame they don't have any special character of a goalkeeper who'd give the Ds an old-fashioned bollocking.
edit: another example of shit defensive cover and it's 2-0 for Zambia. *facepalms*
It's a shame they don't have any special character of a goalkeeper who'd give the Ds an old-fashioned bollocking.edit: another example of shit defensive cover and it's 2-0 for Zambia. *facepalms*
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Comical defending from Japan so far today...
I started watching from around 20 minutes in.
I think Japan will win this game. They pass the ball around much better than Zambia. I have no idea how they've managed to concede two goals. They can't keep fecking up like this in the WC.
I think Japan will win this game. They pass the ball around much better than Zambia. I have no idea how they've managed to concede two goals. They can't keep fecking up like this in the WC.
Halftime Zambia 2 - Japan 1
If anyone is betting on the Ivory Coast-Japan game, they should bet on Ivory Coast.
I'm very pessimistic now about Japan.
Zambia is a great team. Very intelligent and organized. They had control of most of the game and there were very little good things about the Japan team. Japan can't even take that many shots.
I'll have to change my preference about the goal keeper. At Zambia's first goal Nishikawa shouldn't have stepped out together with Uchida.
Zambia overloading Japan's right side.
Honda is just terrible. He's losing the ball on Zambian challenges, and his passes are missing his teammates. He's a target for the Zambians, and he's not playing with confidence.
Also he cannot run with intensity, so him and Endo on the field at the same time means less pressure for the opponents.
Japan has historically been very bad with African teams, because of the sheer athletic abilities. A single step of theirs reaches much further than ours. When you think you can get past them the defender reaches the ball. Perhaps Japan has forgotten this. If there's any chance Japan has to bust its asses and work harder, constantly pressing and challenging the ball. We can't do that with Endo and Honda. We need younger players who can do that in the 29 degrees 67% humidity conditions.
Kakitani is quick but in what would otherwise be great opportunities, he gets knocked down on shoulder charges against the tough defenders. Osako should have a better chance. Or Okubo for his sheer guts.
If anyone is betting on the Ivory Coast-Japan game, they should bet on Ivory Coast.
I'm very pessimistic now about Japan.
Zambia is a great team. Very intelligent and organized. They had control of most of the game and there were very little good things about the Japan team. Japan can't even take that many shots.
I'll have to change my preference about the goal keeper. At Zambia's first goal Nishikawa shouldn't have stepped out together with Uchida.
Zambia overloading Japan's right side.
Honda is just terrible. He's losing the ball on Zambian challenges, and his passes are missing his teammates. He's a target for the Zambians, and he's not playing with confidence.
Also he cannot run with intensity, so him and Endo on the field at the same time means less pressure for the opponents.
Japan has historically been very bad with African teams, because of the sheer athletic abilities. A single step of theirs reaches much further than ours. When you think you can get past them the defender reaches the ball. Perhaps Japan has forgotten this. If there's any chance Japan has to bust its asses and work harder, constantly pressing and challenging the ball. We can't do that with Endo and Honda. We need younger players who can do that in the 29 degrees 67% humidity conditions.
Kakitani is quick but in what would otherwise be great opportunities, he gets knocked down on shoulder charges against the tough defenders. Osako should have a better chance. Or Okubo for his sheer guts.
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The fact that Japan have an Italian as manager, it's even more baffling that defensive coverage can be that poor. Communication appears to be a major issue between goalkeepers and defenders.
Kagawa just miscontrolled a relatively easy ball that would have put him one on one with the keeper from ~ 8 yards out.
That was painful to watch. He's been Japan's best player in the last couple of friendlies, but that was inexcuseable.
What a shot by Kagawa!!! 2-2!
edit: kudos to the striker (Okuba) for providing confusion as well.
edit 2: Honda scores again. What is going on there?
edit: kudos to the striker (Okuba) for providing confusion as well.
edit 2: Honda scores again. What is going on there?
Ridiculous goal! Bordering to match fixing
Wow, what an attack!
Where was Kagawa playing 1st half?
Left wing/left forward, as usual.
Same for 2nd half? Who striker and who was left and right wing?
Yup!
Japan's standard setup:
--- Yamaguchi - Endo ----
Okazaki - Honda - Kagawa
-------- Kakitani --------
That front four consists of 2 center fowards and 2 attacking midfielders. Not a single winger
I do not have the game on, is that the formation they playing against Zambia in 2nd half before Kagawa was subbed?