The "Future Powerhouse of Football" comes to mind. They've improved a vast amount. Very likeable bunch.
Got to give it to Japan
- Thread starter Hercules
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I saw the first half and thought they were lacking ideas. Unfortunately I missed the second half were I was told they played far better.
Did the right thing with the corner, they were tired and Belgium were starting to physically dominate them with Fellaini and Lukaku pushed up. They've likely have been beaten in extra time comfortably and they knew it. Had a go and in the end paid the price but they were excellent and played good football.
One of the teams of the tournament for me, coming out of a tight group where they were expected to be last and putting it up to a strong Belgium. People can talk about the time wasting v Poland but thats football. Iran are being praised for time wasting and playing for draws when they needed to win but Japan slaughtered for doing whats right for them, its laughable.
Great team who brought a lot to the tournament, just happened to get sucker punched by the only KDB moment KDB has produced in a tight game at the WC.
One of the teams of the tournament for me, coming out of a tight group where they were expected to be last and putting it up to a strong Belgium. People can talk about the time wasting v Poland but thats football. Iran are being praised for time wasting and playing for draws when they needed to win but Japan slaughtered for doing whats right for them, its laughable.
Great team who brought a lot to the tournament, just happened to get sucker punched by the only KDB moment KDB has produced in a tight game at the WC.
I hope you're equally enraged and morally judgemental for every time wasting moment in a game, park the bus tactics, touch fouls, diving, man handling, ref baiting etc and other 'gamesmanship' things.
Not this again but try this: running the clock down by dribbling the football to the corner flag in the closing minutes when your team are trying to hold on a narrow lead in a crucial game is also technically against the spirit of the game and not a good advert for football. Let's not be hypocritical here.
Apart from the Poland game, Japan has arguably played the most amount of football in the tournament (relative to their squad) and been the best 'team' around. Their style has been a fantastic advert for football. For example, once Mexico and Croatia faced more resilient opponents, they abandoned their front foot approach and got dragged into dog fights.
Despite being clearly physically inferior, they've bossed some of the best atheletes and highest profile players on the ball.
And let's not forget it takes two to tango as Poland was all too happy to olbige and kind of sum up their tournament i.e happy with a win where they've not really tried or commited in any of their games.
Japan?? I'm surprised, Kudos to them!
They were brilliant tonight, they would've been worthy quarter finalists. After going 2-0 up I think they should've made some changes, possibly bring on a defensive midfielder or an extra defender. But credit to them they attacked throughout the match and even threw many men forward for the last corner when they could've played it safe and go to extra time.
Being an Asian, I can't help but rooting for Japan, but since I start watching football in early 2000s I don't remember them having great striker or goalkeeper, even though they have a lot of great midfielder (Nakata, Nakamura, Honda, Hasebe, Kagawa, Shibasaki is the next in line) and good enough defender. They always play good football, they got the basic right, but they always lack that final third instinct, I always think one of the reason they never got past round of 16 is their lack of good striker. In fact, in every major tournament I ever watch them I never see their striker doing anything excellent, they even play Honda as false 9 in 2010.
That being said, this has been a really good tournament for Japan, lot of people expect them to finish last in the group, yet they pull through and almost managed to pull a miracle against Belgium, the decision to sack their coach shortly before the WC turned out to be the correct decision, I hope they do have some good striker for the future, I hope they will someday be able to go past round of 16
That being said, this has been a really good tournament for Japan, lot of people expect them to finish last in the group, yet they pull through and almost managed to pull a miracle against Belgium, the decision to sack their coach shortly before the WC turned out to be the correct decision, I hope they do have some good striker for the future, I hope they will someday be able to go past round of 16
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Endo was one of their best midfielders, but often forgotten as he didn't play in Europe.
they would have went through if Jose Mourinho is their coach, should have shut the door after 2-0. They were the better team till Fellaini came on and they have nothing to deal with him.
They pretty much lost due to physical disadvantage for me.
On the ground they were the better team.
On the ground they were the better team.
They wouldn't have been playing the style they do, under Mourinho though.
Gotta say, they ain't bitches. Not a single complaint, never harangued the ref, never waved imaginary yellows, no diving.
They actually payed for it.
They actually payed for it.
I had to keep telling my wife that Belgium is full of superstars.
Me: look, that is KDB who bosses the midfield for Manchester City.
Wife: Who is he, is he playing blue?
Me: and that one is Hazard, and Vertongen, etc etc
At the end, my wife, who doesn’t watch football except for WC, was rooting for Japan and she cried when they lost.
Me: look, that is KDB who bosses the midfield for Manchester City.
Wife: Who is he, is he playing blue?
Me: and that one is Hazard, and Vertongen, etc etc
At the end, my wife, who doesn’t watch football except for WC, was rooting for Japan and she cried when they lost.
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Same for me.
I thought Shibasaki played well this world cup. First time I saw him. Pretty impressed.
Interesting read about Japan and their 100 year plan to win the World Cup by 2092. They showed a lot of heart and promise and seem like they're on the right path to achieving this!
Read: Japan and the 100 year vision
Read: Japan and the 100 year vision
How could I forgot the Japanese Pirlo, his set piece delivery is one of the best
Definitely one of the stand out performer, hope that Getafe start playing him deeper after this WC because that's his best position
Their fans actually stayed to clean the stadium after the game. Fair play by the players as well, they are becoming my new favorite team.
My thoughts exactly. Well done Japan! By the way, KDB really looks lethargic and not with it right. Strange compared to when he plays in the league.
Wanted to pay my respects as well. I remember around the time I joined this forum I stumbled upon their u16s playing, it impressed me a lot. The difference with what I saw yesterday was the intensity.
They will learn from this, there is much they can be proud of.
Finally Kagawa, what a player, such a shame we had Moyes in charge. I hope he goes on to find the groove that got us to sign him in the first place.
This is my favorite world cup by far.
They will learn from this, there is much they can be proud of.
Finally Kagawa, what a player, such a shame we had Moyes in charge. I hope he goes on to find the groove that got us to sign him in the first place.
This is my favorite world cup by far.
Inexperienced and naievity cost them the match. 2-0 up at 60mins and still trying to go for a kill. Should have slow th game down a bit and go into defensive mode and thinking about defend for your life to go through.
I like Kagawa passing in the final third. So full of pace and cuteness.
Kudos to Japan, they can't afford to park the bus really. What do you expect? Let them put the cross in with Lukaku and Fellaini inside the box?
kudos to them for trying to score more.
Kudos to Japan, they can't afford to park the bus really. What do you expect? Let them put the cross in with Lukaku and Fellaini inside the box?
kudos to them for trying to score more.
How to throw Mourinho name in a completely irrelevant thread.
What happened to Okazaki? I thought he would've been a shoe in to start upfront
Ok I give it to ‘em.
Had to leave Cafe after the game, couldn't stand being around and reading anything about football. I really don't get it though, I was very bitter about them after their game with Poland, had no money on them, and really do not dislike Belgium *that* much, but still, that defeat yesterday was most I was pissed about anything football in a long time.
Damn.
Damn.
The arsing around at the end of the Poland game wasn't great to see however I can understand them doing what they had to do to progress, and given they were still vulnerable to a single goal in the other game it was more of a cynical calculation than outright cheating.
That aside they've been an absolute credit to the tournament. They worked like demons for each other, had fantastic organisation and no small amount of flair (that second goal
). I thought the keeper looked dodgy but he tried his best and it was a shame to see him so distraught at the end.
It was sad to see them go out in such a cruel manner but all credit to Belgium, who came back from the dead and should prove a handful for anyone in this tournament.
That aside they've been an absolute credit to the tournament. They worked like demons for each other, had fantastic organisation and no small amount of flair (that second goal
). I thought the keeper looked dodgy but he tried his best and it was a shame to see him so distraught at the end.It was sad to see them go out in such a cruel manner but all credit to Belgium, who came back from the dead and should prove a handful for anyone in this tournament.
basically they exploited all the weakness's in Belgiums squad, big decision in the game when kompany dives in the corner and wins a free kick as the boy would have been threw on goal, a minute later big fellaini scores to make it 2-2. same with Denmark they made Croatia look very ordinary with the right tactics.
Their fans also cleaned up after themselves in the stands after each game. I wish more people were like that, and that includes my countrymen Russians.
These guys are something else. Class.
Yea, I thought the assistant made a horrible call there. It was clear that both were going at it and Kompany lost his balance, hardly a foul by the Japanese player.
They were excellent.
They should be proud and when all is is said and done only one team won't have a heartbreaking exit. You may as well do it playing like that and capture the hearts of the football world. People will remember their performance and game which is important for a lesser football nation.
They should be proud and when all is is said and done only one team won't have a heartbreaking exit. You may as well do it playing like that and capture the hearts of the football world. People will remember their performance and game which is important for a lesser football nation.
It was such a shit decision, that it was probably the only time in the entire tournament that I saw a Japanese player actually pissed off at a decision and argue with the ref. Moments later Belgium equalize.
They excel at the fundamentals of football, and their players have good technical ability. They have been improving slowly but steady.
I think that they can become a top football team in the future, unlike the likes of China and US.
I think that they can become a top football team in the future, unlike the likes of China and US.
As a Japanese, the end was devastating, but this thread made me feel sooo proud.
Thank you fellow Red Devils here!(not THAT Red Devils though)
Thank you fellow Red Devils here!(not THAT Red Devils though)
Looks way, way off. He hasn't been great for City since early March so maybe tired but he's a problem for Belgium.
I was watching the game with my mum who knows barely anything about football and she thought Belgium were the underdog team and Japan were the more established team because of the way they dominated the game. They didn't deserve to lose like they did I thought.Admired the way they played against Belgium. They had a go instead of sitting back and hoping to nick a goal like most lower ranked teams would do. Don't get the criticism in regards to pushing men forward for the last corner. Could tell Belgium would overpower them and win it in extra time. They were on their last legs near the end.
Pardon to ask but what is your assessment of the current national team so far? Overseas fan following Team Japan here.
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