Group E - Spain | Costa Rica | Germany | Japan

I was listening to a pod and people were saying what a surprise Saudi was. Then after their performance they admitted it was because they had only followed their pre-cup friendlies.

Saudi Arabia were good in qualifying. And this is the closest they’ve had to home conditions and support in a World Cup.  

Japan usually has a very composed team, with a few star players the team is built around.  But they’ve lost a lot of senior talent since the last cup. I don’t think they really know their top team. It certainly wasn’t the team that started against Costa Rica, which was disrespectful to the Costa Rican’s, but also should have been less of a gamble than it was. 

If they start their top talent against Spain I think they could win, because football. Not a likely outcome, but the game will be more open with more space for them to find. And they will have a heck of a point to prove. 

martinb

kwlap

I can’t believe Japan didn’t tear Costa Rica a part there. Huge chance blown. They could be playing Spain with nothing riding on it. Incredible 

5 changes. Starting a J league winger ahead of Mitoma, Ito, Doan, Kubo, Maeda, Hatate, Furuhashi and Tomiyasu…
I mean it fits with their qualification campaign. 

Even though Asano’s goal was brilliant, it was counter attacking, long ball from a defender with the other team pushed forward.

No such favors from Costa Rica. Japan dominated possession and territory, but hardly troubled Navas. 

lots of questonable selections and some might find it ahrd to believe after the germany game but people don't like the coach and feel he is the wrong man for the job.  

I would very much doubt that lack of respect for CR played any part in Japan's team selection. It appeared to me a) that CR dealt with the hot conditions much better, b) that Japan were somewhat flat physically and mentally after what was perhaps their greatest comeback victory ever, and c) that CR's park-the-bus tactics completely blunted Japan's deadly counterattack game.

While I'm disappointed Japan will probably bow out early you have to hand it to the Costa Rica lads, they ran and tackled and shut down Japan superbly. If the All Whites had achieved a win like that after losing 7-0 we would be incredibly proud.

detoxin

martinb

kwlap

I can’t believe Japan didn’t tear Costa Rica a part there. Huge chance blown. They could be playing Spain with nothing riding on it. Incredible 

5 changes. Starting a J league winger ahead of Mitoma, Ito, Doan, Kubo, Maeda, Hatate, Furuhashi and Tomiyasu…
I mean it fits with their qualification campaign. 

Even though Asano’s goal was brilliant, it was counter attacking, long ball from a defender with the other team pushed forward.

No such favors from Costa Rica. Japan dominated possession and territory, but hardly troubled Navas. 

lots of questonable selections and some might find it ahrd to believe after the germany game but people don't like the coach and feel he is the wrong man for the job.  

Not after that Germany game they didn’t! But yeh you’re right, lots of rumblings and discontent during qualifying.

I think of Japanese teams as having amazing mentality. They don’t panic. They’d win the ball, pass it to Hasebe and reset. 25 minutes or 25 seconds they’d trust their game and they’d know what it was. 

While he could be doing better, I think he suffers from a similar syndrome to the AWs. 

The All Whites have some good players in good leagues. But if you look closely, most players aren’t starting or have been in poor form. 

Consider how many players from this Japanese team would be obvious marquee A league signings the way Ono or Honda were. It’s not quite clear who to trust when the chips are down or who to build a team around. 

There are lots of players of similar abilities in good leagues, or a lot of players starting their career, but no one who can be the calm in the eye of the storm. 

Yoshida is also very good, but not at the peak of his career. Starting Sakai and Nagatomo against Germany was a decent attempt to get experience on the park. 

Doan and Soma over a crucial free kick against Costa Rica doesn’t give you the feeling of Honda or Nakata or Nakamura.

I’ve no doubt the team will coalesce in the future, but it’s a weaker one than in recent memory, which overachieved against Germany. 

martinb

I was listening to a pod and people were saying what a surprise Saudi was. Then after their performance they admitted it was because they had only followed their pre-cup friendlies.

Saudi Arabia were good in qualifying. And this is the closest they’ve had to home conditions and support in a World Cup.  

Japan usually has a very composed team, with a few star players the team is built around.  But they’ve lost a lot of senior talent since the last cup. I don’t think they really know their top team. It certainly wasn’t the team that started against Costa Rica, which was disrespectful to the Costa Rican’s, but also should have been less of a gamble than it was. 

If they start their top talent against Spain I think they could win, because football. Not a likely outcome, but the game will be more open with more space for them to find. And they will have a heck of a point to prove. 

Saudi also have a mostly domestic based side and I think were in camp 3-4 weeks prior the WC. That's a big advantage over most teams, who had players playing club football one week pre the WC. And yes they were good in AFC qualifying.

And yes this is an almost home WC for all the Arab/Middle Eastern teams. Ignoring the moral issues over Qatar having the Cup, many Eurosnobs were questioning where the fans were going to come from. From all over the Middle East and North Africa that's where from! One positive of the Cup in Qatar, giving fans who may not normally get to the big dance, a good chance to attend.

martinb

detoxin

martinb

kwlap

I can’t believe Japan didn’t tear Costa Rica a part there. Huge chance blown. They could be playing Spain with nothing riding on it. Incredible 

5 changes. Starting a J league winger ahead of Mitoma, Ito, Doan, Kubo, Maeda, Hatate, Furuhashi and Tomiyasu…
I mean it fits with their qualification campaign. 

Even though Asano’s goal was brilliant, it was counter attacking, long ball from a defender with the other team pushed forward.

No such favors from Costa Rica. Japan dominated possession and territory, but hardly troubled Navas. 

lots of questonable selections and some might find it ahrd to believe after the germany game but people don't like the coach and feel he is the wrong man for the job.  

Not after that Germany game they didn’t! But yeh you’re right, lots of rumblings and discontent during qualifying.

I think of Japanese teams as having amazing mentality. They don’t panic. They’d win the ball, pass it to Hasebe and reset. 25 minutes or 25 seconds they’d trust their game and they’d know what it was. 

While he could be doing better, I think he suffers from a similar syndrome to the AWs. 

The All Whites have some good players in good leagues. But if you look closely, most players aren’t starting or have been in poor form. 

Consider how many players from this Japanese team would be obvious marquee A league signings the way Ono or Honda were. It’s not quite clear who to trust when the chips are down or who to build a team around. 

There are lots of players of similar abilities in good leagues, or a lot of players starting their career, but no one who can be the calm in the eye of the storm. 

Yoshida is also very good, but not at the peak of his career. Starting Sakai and Nagatomo against Germany was a decent attempt to get experience on the park. 

Doan and Soma over a crucial free kick against Costa Rica doesn’t give you the feeling of Honda or Nakata or Nakamura.

I’ve no doubt the team will coalesce in the future, but it’s a weaker one than in recent memory, which overachieved against Germany. 

very impressive knowlege of the Japan team.   

🙇‍♂️Not sure if you’re telling me off for being urusai- someone usually should!  If you’re not cheers, but I think I know the UK based players better than the European ones. It was cool to see Tulio on TV the other day even if I couldn’t understand what he said.

First game yesterday at 7pm here could sit down and enjoy, and then really couldn’t. Now all the games are guna be midnight and 4am!

martinb

🙇‍♂️Not sure if you’re telling me off for being urusai- someone usually should!  If you’re not cheers, but I think I know the UK based players better than the European ones. It was cool to see Tulio on TV the other day even if I couldn’t understand what he said.

First game yesterday at 7pm here could sit down and enjoy, and then really couldn’t. Now all the games are guna be midnight and 4am!

was being genuine.

If you're Spain you'd be tempted to try manufacture second place here. The bottom half of the draw is looking a lot more open.

2ndBest

If you're Spain you'd be tempted to try manufacture second place here. The bottom half of the draw is looking a lot more open.

Doing a good job of it at the moment!

Incredible morning of football. Well done Japan! 

Football is utterly brilliant. Incredible drama in this group.

2ndBest

If you're Spain you'd be tempted to try manufacture second place here. The bottom half of the draw is looking a lot more open.

Hahahahahahahahahaha

🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺

日本🇯🇵! 

Japan should fancy themselves against Croatia!

Can't quite wrap my head around Japan beating two WC winning nations in the space of a week. It's beyond remarkable.

That said, German fans might feel justified in feeling hard done by when they see Japan's second goal. I'd be interested to know the VAR process which came to the conclusion that the ball had not crossed the line.

Outpost

Can't quite wrap my head around Japan beating two WC winning nations in the space of a week. It's beyond remarkable.

That said, German fans might feel justified in feeling hard done by when they see Japan's second goal. I'd be interested to know the VAR process which came to the conclusion that the ball had not crossed the line.

Fi7AnXpWQAA2G1T.jpg 345.96 KB

Outpost

Can't quite wrap my head around Japan beating two WC winning nations in the space of a week. It's beyond remarkable.

That said, German fans might feel justified in feeling hard done by when they see Japan's second goal. I'd be interested to know the VAR process which came to the conclusion that the ball had not crossed the line.

This was on reddit - note the camera isn't quite aligned properly with the line so picture isn't quite perfect.

Also this one... but still not a perfect angle.

I've always found it slightly absurd that whether the ball is out or not is determined by technology based on some hypothetical overhead birdseye viewpoint. In the 'good old days' if there was clear daylight between the ball and the line, as above, then the ball was simply out of play.

Of course it would've been extremely difficult for the lino on the other side to see that one. But if she had flagged the ball was out would her decision have stood after a VAR analysis? 

Karma for 2010.

20 Legend

Japan should fancy themselves against Croatia!

 
Fancied themselves against Costa Rica…better when they don’t! 

Wow what a result.   Glad i got up at 4am to watch the game.   Japan will be going crazy today 

It's like the WC just doesn't want Germany or Italy to join Brazil on the number of WCs won.

Buffon II

Karma for 2010.

I thought that was karma for 1966.

What a glorious day of football. Costa Rica were through for 10 seconds. If only they could have held on.

Some useless info.

From Japanese side Olywhites lost to on pens in Olympics QF last year, starters both games - Yoshida, Tanaka & Kubo.
3 of the subs on against Spain - Dōan (on at HT & with 1st equalising goal), Tomiyasu & Endo also all started against the Olywhites.
Maeda who started against Spain an unused sub against Olywhites. Whilst Itakura who also started against the Spanish, a late sub verus OWs, last year

Libby's old team mate at Sint-Truiden, Schmidt (reserve GK) also on the pine against Spain.

detoxin

Wow what a result.   Glad i got up at 4am to watch the game.   Japan will be going crazy today 

Just thinking that if it were many many other places there would be hours of car horns, football shirts, flags and public intoxication in a good cause! Haven’t seen it today! But did have one small sneaky beer before breakfast meself. Micro dosing I guess you could call it. (not working today!)
I imagine tonight though, there may well be Japanese Splendor!

coochiee

Some useless info.

From Japanese side Olywhites lost to on pens in Olympics QF last year, starters both games - Yoshida, Tanaka & Kubo.
3 of the subs on against Spain - Dōan (on at HT & with 1st equalising goal), Tomiyasu & Endo also all started against the Olywhites.
Maeda who started against Spain an unused sub against Olywhites. Whilst Itakura who also started against the Spanish, a late sub verus OWs, last year

Libby's old team mate at Sint-Truiden, Schmidt (reserve GK) also on the pine against Spain.

Also Yoshida, who was one of 3 players over 23 and easily Japan's most experienced player in that squad, scored the penalty that sent Japan through.

Being in osaka im sure there were people jumping in the river.  Happens after all bug sports winnings.  

yay!!!!! fudge yeah Japan for the win!! only cos I have them in the sweepstake......facing croatia should bring no fear to the Blue samurai! 

detoxin

Being in osaka im sure there were people jumping in the river.  Happens after all bug sports winnings.  

According to stereotype Kansai is supposed to be outgoing and Kanto is more on the straight and narrow?  I honestly can’t imagine people jumping in the river in winter here. That sounds like a Dunedin type of thing…

You just have to love Japan. They play Croatia next round. It wouldn’t be an upset if they won.
Big tick for Madame Frappart. The first women to referee a men’s World Cup game and she did a great job too. Considering all the politics going down about human rights in Qatar it would have been fantastic if she got to ref a game  with Qatar playing, or even better Saudi Arabia.
I remember a few years ago the Asian Championship was held in Australia. The team bus arrived to take the Saudi team to their training ground but the Saudis refused to get on the bus because the driver was a women.