Day 8: Japan vs Costa Rica | Belgium vs Morocco | Croatia vs Canada | Spain vs Germany

[RedDevilRoshi]

Least Costa Rica could do is put in a performance. Not just for their fans but for themselves.

Japan will surely go all guns blazing for this knowing that a win gives them at least one foot into the R16

 

[RedDevilQuebecois]

Ganbare Nippon!

 

[mitchmouse]

can't say any of the early games will have my undivided attention, even i I have cricked my back and can't do much else than sit and watch telly...

 

[Swordsman]

if japan failed to beat costa rica. Saynora Japan ?

 

[Telsim]

I hope the Samurai Blue butcher Costa Rica!

頑張れ日本！

 

[RedDevilQuebecois]

Feck me, they had to bring Michael Oliver as the referee for this.

 

[RedDevilRoshi]

Well looks like it’ll be a stop start game with Michael Oliver as ref

 

[Josh 76]

Japan have made 5 changes from the victory against Germany. Thats what utilising your squad is. Gareth take note!

 

[MDFC Manager]

I hope the Samurai Blue butcher Michael Oliver!

Fixed your post

 

[RedDevilQuebecois]

That's a shame. There was no one following Doan's low cross in the box.

 

[Slevs]

Costa Rica playing well tbf

 

[MDFC Manager]

Japanese touches bit poor in the final third

 

[lawliet354]

Kamada have been poor these 2 games, for Japan no.10 you'd expect better

 

[RedDevilQuebecois]

Japanese touches bit poor in the final third

And their decison-making as well. On that recent rush, all it took was one decent through ball.

Kamada have been poor these 2 games, for Japan no.10 you'd expect better

He's not Shinji Kagawa in terms of impact in that position. That's for sure.

 

[lawliet354]

He's not Shinji Kagawa in terms of impact in that position. That's for sure.

I'd try Kubo in no.10 if he still has no impact in 2nd half

 

[Offside]

Every time Japan get the ball in a good position an absolute donkey touch loses it

 

[RedDevilQuebecois]

I'd try Kubo in no.10 if he still has no impact in 2nd half

He's a natural right winger. I would be surprised if he could make it work as a CAM since that's a very secondary position for him according to Transfermarkt.

 

[RedDevilQuebecois]

Japan's silly obsession with brainless one-touch passes is really killing me. I don't want to see a bunch of Donny van de Beeks out there.

 

[lawliet354]

Japan striker really has not done one thing right so far

 

[Who's Kissing Cameras?]

Japan striker really has not done one thing right so far

He’s terrible.

 

[DJ_21]

What is it with these boring first halves in this WC.

 

[RedDevilQuebecois]

Japan striker really has not done one thing right so far

He's shite. But then again, it is not something new. Japan has always had all kinds of difficulties in finding and developping a proper centre-forward.

edit: And again, he's not making the run to reach the ball.

 

[Ramos]

Mitoma and Asano changed the game against Germany. Expected them to start this match.

 

[Solius]

Most of these games are absolute shite. Awful touches, poor decisions and the game just bogged down in midfield as usual.

 

[Offside]

Far too many teams at this World Cup just charging round giving silly fouls away, losing the ball when they get it and showing no quality in the last third. Japan were like that in the first half against Germany so let’s hope for a similar second half improvement.

 

[lawliet354]

Minamino, Asano, and Mitoma needs to come in 2nd half. Blew my mind that 3 players that changed the game vs Germany are not starting

 

[Djemba-Djemba]

Most of these games are absolute shite. Awful touches, poor decisions and the game just bogged down in midfield as usual.

Yeah I don't know if maybe I'm just biased against this Qatar World Cup but i've found most of the games severely lacking in quality and very dull.

It's not been a good WC so far.

 

[RedDevilMachine]

I understand Costa Rica playing so cautiously as they are out if they lose but surely Japan should give it a go? They've been terrible so far.

 

[RedDevilQuebecois]

Mitoma and Asano changed the game against Germany. Expected them to start this match.

Minamino, Asano, and Mitoma needs to come in 2nd half. Blew my mind that 3 players that changed the game vs Germany are not starting

Agree. Unless their fitness levels don't allow them to play 65+ minutes, there was no reason for them to not to start the match.

 

[Offside]

I understand Costa Rica playing so cautiously as they are out if they lose

Not really that understandable? A draw is hardly great unless they really back themselves to beat Germany?

 

[Desert Eagle]

Minamino, Asano, and Mitoma needs to come in 2nd half. Blew my mind that 3 players that changed the game vs Germany are not starting

Yeah what's up with coaches being conservative

 

[DJ_21]

I understand Costa Rica playing so cautiously as they are out if they lose but surely Japan should give it a go? They've been terrible so far.

Costa Rica should be going for it just as much as Japan as this is the only game there most likely to get something from.

 

[hellhunter]

Not really that understandable? A draw is hardly great unless they really back themselves to beat Germany?

Who doesn't ?

 

[RedDevilQuebecois]

Shut up, Michael Oliver, you stupid cnut. That's not yellow card material.

 

[Lay]

He's shite. But then again, it is not something new. Japan has always had all kinds of difficulties in finding and developping a proper centre-forward.

edit: And again, he's not making the run to reach the ball.

Then you wonder why they never picked Kyogo.

 

[RedDevilMachine]

Not really that understandable? A draw is hardly great unless they really back themselves to beat Germany?

Japan is a great counter-attacking team as evidenced by their win against Germany so they probably didn't want to commit too much forward and risk going a goal down.

 

[RedDevilQuebecois]

Then you wonder why they never picked Kyogo.

As someone who partially supports Celtic, it drives me nuts that Kyogo is not in the team.

 

[FrankDrebin]

CRC passing at the back is really loose. JPN can really get at them more if they keep pressing higher.

 

[Djemba-Djemba]

80% of the matches seem to start with pundits saying they think it'll be a good match and then having to apologise at half time for how boring it's been

 

[lawliet354]

Yeah what's up with coaches being conservative

Moriyasu is well-known in that regards, that's why so many have been calling for his sacking for years. The Germany game was anomaly for this Japan side, I thought Japan can use that game as foundation for playing with more confidence and attacking-intent, but does not look like it