No Hina in the 11 again. =( Looks like Jun has cemented the starting spot for that position. But I expect Hina to get decent minutes.
This is a killer lineup, though. Yamashita in goal, Shimizu, Minami & Kumagai the back three, then Miyazawa, Nagano, Tanaka, Takahashi, Endo, Hasegawa, and Fujino. I hesitate to assign position roles, given how fluid their positioning is, but Hasegawa will be their 10 most of the time, with Tanaka and Fujino the primary attackers. Miyazawa has been more about making fast runs from the attacking midfield. Endo tends to stay left, but covers a lot of ground vertically.
I'm worried about this match: Norway tower over Japan and set pieces will be hard to defend. But Norway also have nowhere near the depth of quality. Now I just have to keep my ancient arse awake...
Well, there was no need for worry. Although Norway gave Japan more of a test than anyone else so far, the Nadeshiko passed that test with flying colors. While the first goal was a lucky deflection for an own goal, the other two were well earned. Aoba Fujino's ball in to Hinata Miyazawa for the latter's 5th goal of the tournament (!!!) was an absolute gem.
Norway's goal was perfectly executed, too: a perfect ball in to Reiten, who had made a great run into space. The header execution needed to be perfect - two Japanese defenders immediately closed her off - and it was.
Japan were back to their usual possession-oriented style, as expected. This team plays smart, flowing football that's SO easy on the eyes. They've gone from being a team even Nadeshiko fanbois like me only called a dark horse contender to being the team to beat.
Side note: Hinata Miyazawa's 5th goal of the tournament tied her with the immortal Homare Sawa for most in a World Cup by a Japanese player. This from a player who had _one_ goal for her club last season! To be fair, though, her job at MyNavi Sendai is more of a playmaker.
They have so many different styles to rely on but that’s their bread and butter. In the first half it was a bit direct and slower combos. In the second half they sped it up and found some great pockets of space and through balls.
Endo was lights out and her chemistry with Hinata is brilliant. I do think there’s room for Hina in this midfield or even at rw but they don’t seem to want their players to hold the ball much at all.
That match was lit! Love watching Japan when they play possesion style. So cohesive. Very few mistakes. Really wanted to see Hina play but Endo is a joy to watch too. Her long balls are dimes.
Wow, first I picked Popp to win the Golden Boot, then German y is eliminated, then I picked Lauren James from England and like a curse she gets a Red Card last night. England played on bravely with 10 and won in penalties a game that Nigeria actually outplayed them most of the time.
Super Happy for our former Thorns Raso (three goals), Carpenter, Foord (winning goal last night, Steph Catley (2 goals and Captain) and Claire Polkinghorn on the suddenly amazing Aussie defense. A big test coming up France, that is unless Morocco wins.
My first thought at "Vlatko to Thorns" was...not suitable for a family forum! But he was a very good, successful club coach. Coaching a club and coaching a national team are two very different things. In the latter case, the time (and matches played) to build deep understanding between players, refine tactics, and so forth simply aren't there. An international coach has to be able to quickly make a team come together in limited training time and a fraction of the matches a club team plays. Clearly, this isn't something Vlatko is good at. He might be a lot better here.
Does that mean I want him to coach the Thorns. Er...let's not get carried away!
Smith to Chelsea (or anywhere). Oh hell no. Not even if we get Kerr for her, if only because Sam, while still the best attacker in WoSo, is seven years older.
The question was who do I want to win, so England. But the article was asking who I think will win. So japan.
I love this!
No Hina in the 11 again. =( Looks like Jun has cemented the starting spot for that position. But I expect Hina to get decent minutes.
This is a killer lineup, though. Yamashita in goal, Shimizu, Minami & Kumagai the back three, then Miyazawa, Nagano, Tanaka, Takahashi, Endo, Hasegawa, and Fujino. I hesitate to assign position roles, given how fluid their positioning is, but Hasegawa will be their 10 most of the time, with Tanaka and Fujino the primary attackers. Miyazawa has been more about making fast runs from the attacking midfield. Endo tends to stay left, but covers a lot of ground vertically.
I'm worried about this match: Norway tower over Japan and set pieces will be hard to defend. But Norway also have nowhere near the depth of quality. Now I just have to keep my ancient arse awake...
Well, there was no need for worry. Although Norway gave Japan more of a test than anyone else so far, the Nadeshiko passed that test with flying colors. While the first goal was a lucky deflection for an own goal, the other two were well earned. Aoba Fujino's ball in to Hinata Miyazawa for the latter's 5th goal of the tournament (!!!) was an absolute gem.
Norway's goal was perfectly executed, too: a perfect ball in to Reiten, who had made a great run into space. The header execution needed to be perfect - two Japanese defenders immediately closed her off - and it was.
Japan were back to their usual possession-oriented style, as expected. This team plays smart, flowing football that's SO easy on the eyes. They've gone from being a team even Nadeshiko fanbois like me only called a dark horse contender to being the team to beat.
Side note: Hinata Miyazawa's 5th goal of the tournament tied her with the immortal Homare Sawa for most in a World Cup by a Japanese player. This from a player who had _one_ goal for her club last season! To be fair, though, her job at MyNavi Sendai is more of a playmaker.
Other side note: Hina didn't see the pitch. =(
They have so many different styles to rely on but that’s their bread and butter. In the first half it was a bit direct and slower combos. In the second half they sped it up and found some great pockets of space and through balls.
Endo was lights out and her chemistry with Hinata is brilliant. I do think there’s room for Hina in this midfield or even at rw but they don’t seem to want their players to hold the ball much at all.
That match was lit! Love watching Japan when they play possesion style. So cohesive. Very few mistakes. Really wanted to see Hina play but Endo is a joy to watch too. Her long balls are dimes.
Wow, first I picked Popp to win the Golden Boot, then German y is eliminated, then I picked Lauren James from England and like a curse she gets a Red Card last night. England played on bravely with 10 and won in penalties a game that Nigeria actually outplayed them most of the time.
Super Happy for our former Thorns Raso (three goals), Carpenter, Foord (winning goal last night, Steph Catley (2 goals and Captain) and Claire Polkinghorn on the suddenly amazing Aussie defense. A big test coming up France, that is unless Morocco wins.
Just woke up and saw what happened. Smith to Chelsea? Vlatko to Thorns?
I need more sleep.
My first thought at "Vlatko to Thorns" was...not suitable for a family forum! But he was a very good, successful club coach. Coaching a club and coaching a national team are two very different things. In the latter case, the time (and matches played) to build deep understanding between players, refine tactics, and so forth simply aren't there. An international coach has to be able to quickly make a team come together in limited training time and a fraction of the matches a club team plays. Clearly, this isn't something Vlatko is good at. He might be a lot better here.
Does that mean I want him to coach the Thorns. Er...let's not get carried away!
Smith to Chelsea (or anywhere). Oh hell no. Not even if we get Kerr for her, if only because Sam, while still the best attacker in WoSo, is seven years older.