As for game that just finished with Colombia. That was Kagawa's best and the only decent WC performance. First of all, opponent did not need anything from this game at all, they played with some reserves even gave their veteran keeper a couple of minutes, so he can set the new record by being the oldest player at WC. That really tells you how they view this game. Yet Japan was thoroughly beaten. At 1-1, Japan needed a win but always looked second best. When Colombia scored again they give a ball to japanese, who managed to create only a couple of half-assed opportunities, before Colombia hit them on the breaks hard. Colombians were terrific, Japan team were a team who tried to play at least better than before and succeeded in that, but still you can see they just out of depth at this level. Simply not good enough.
Why am i talking about a WC game in Kagawa thread? Because for me Kagawa's performance today clearly and absolutely mirrors that of a Japan team. To a "T". He was not Japan's best player on the pitch either, i think Honda did much better. He had much less pass acc, but he tried to open up things more, tried to be more dangerous.
But Kagawa's display was much improved and stats show it. He created only two chance in his first two games (one as a sub), but he created 4 in this game, he also shot 6 times, while he did not manage a single shot in the first two games. So he was trying something. The question is how well. While not being such an pathetically anonymous figure(2 chances, 0 shots, come on...
) as he was in his first games, he still was short on actually quality. His passing was solid but mainly because it was usually risk-free, for example Kagawa did not manage to find teammate with his crosses and he played a long ball once in a whole game. So much for Xaviesque of passing, that guy surely has range of his passing as well. Kagawa had a lot of chances himself, but he never really tested the opponents, most of his shots were fairly wide of the target, even from penalty are, when he just spoiled a great chance, created for him by Hasebe with a great ball in.
And that sums it up as well. He had desire, diligence and should be applauded for courage and determination to do something after his disappointing performances. But ultimately he just lacked any real skill as a attacking midfielder. There is no better way to see it, than comparing him with James Rodriguez. I really wish we would got him. We were interested as well. This guy is fantastic. He came on in the start of the second half with the score tied at one each. And what did he do?
What did he do? Two assists and a goal. He was directly involved in all of his team's goals in second half. That's a real great game, that's a real skill, talent. That is exactly what a skillful attacking midfielder should do. If Kagawa had even half as good game as this fella i would be the first for giving him all sort of chances next year. But ultimately he just was way to ordinary. I mean lets look how he actually created his chances (via squawka):
It's not penetrating passes, it not well crafted ones either. They just sort of ordinary passes after which player have shot. The one in the box, it was to Nagamoto, again to a great situation to score, not a really dangerous chance as well. A hopeful shot from a LB more like. Now strangely enough squawka only counted 3 chances. But i love Kagawa so much and so not distorting any facts, that i actually double checked with whoscored.
And i've found the chance they missed, but that was actually a decent one, that was a real penetrating pass into the box(pass to Nagamoto was in the box only formally, i was more of a short back pass from Kagawa) to Yoshida.
But that's it. And now look how James R. did:
That tells you a story.
Until Kagawa manages to influence games in a similar fashion, scoring and making these bold forward, penetrating passes he will not succeed at United. Or won't be a leader of Japan team for that matter.
