FWC-Japan
Japan:-
“サムライ・ブルー” (The Samurai Blues :P :P) have got a tough task ahead of them if they are to better their WC finals record and prove to the world why they are the undisputed Asian champions.
Question marks can be placed all over Coach Alberto Zaccheroni’s central defense and if they are to produce some results at this WC tournament, they will have to perform on a much higher level than they have been doing over the last 2 years and a half almost.
In that period, they have averaged about 1.3 goals per game (in official AND non-official matches!); which is, quite frankly, just not good enough for a team of Japan’s stature and lofty ambitions. Their central defenders do not seem to have a good understanding between them and, while coach Zaccheroni favors a more defensive approach, they seem to be very error-prone and flakey every time the opposition attacks.
The fact that both of their main SBs are extremely attack-minded is somewhat of a disadvantage for a team trying to play with a stable defensive system. Which is why coach Zaccheroni has to enforce a more strict style in regards to his defensive line at all times during their matches.
Japan’s abundance of talent in midfield is one of their key aspects going forward. They are very good with the ball at their feet and certainly know how to hold up play for their target man. The way the midfielders combine together and exchange play between themselves is crucial to Japan’s build-up play from the back and it is essential that they afford each other enough space in the middle of the park so as to widen the play.
Japan’s offensive approach is based on a pure vertical style of play; mainly because they lack proper wide attackers who can constantly run the channels and deliver crosses to their main man. This is where the SBs come into play and offer more width to the team when they go forward; which, in turn, places a huge responsibility on the CBs’ and DMs’ shoulders to close down the gaps at the back.
Coach Zaccheroni likes to set up his Japan team to soak up the pressure by inviting opposition deep into their own half and then launching quick counter-attacks from out wide and in towards the center of the opposition’s final third.
Much of the play will be at the heart of midfield when Japan have the ball and their attacking players’ technical abilities are their main assets when attempting to score goals. In contrast to their slightly poor defensive performances, they are very efficient in attack and certainly know how to score more than just one goal each game.
Japan must find a good balance between their defensive and offensive approaches and coach Zaccheroni should position his players in a way to best complement their attacking fire-power with their somewhat leaky defensive nature.
Main men: Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda: Both men will have their work cut out for them if Japan are to have any impact at this WC. Kagawa’s vision and technical abilities coupled with Honda’s keen eye for goal and wonderful technique will offer the team numerous options going forward. But they must increase their defensive awareness and be ready to track back and get “stuck in” in defense when needed.
Odds (average from top 24 betting firms): 164.66667
“サムライ・ブルー” (The Samurai Blues :P :P) have got a tough task ahead of them if they are to better their WC finals record and prove to the world why they are the undisputed Asian champions.
Question marks can be placed all over Coach Alberto Zaccheroni’s central defense and if they are to produce some results at this WC tournament, they will have to perform on a much higher level than they have been doing over the last 2 years and a half almost.
In that period, they have averaged about 1.3 goals per game (in official AND non-official matches!); which is, quite frankly, just not good enough for a team of Japan’s stature and lofty ambitions. Their central defenders do not seem to have a good understanding between them and, while coach Zaccheroni favors a more defensive approach, they seem to be very error-prone and flakey every time the opposition attacks.
The fact that both of their main SBs are extremely attack-minded is somewhat of a disadvantage for a team trying to play with a stable defensive system. Which is why coach Zaccheroni has to enforce a more strict style in regards to his defensive line at all times during their matches.
Japan’s abundance of talent in midfield is one of their key aspects going forward. They are very good with the ball at their feet and certainly know how to hold up play for their target man. The way the midfielders combine together and exchange play between themselves is crucial to Japan’s build-up play from the back and it is essential that they afford each other enough space in the middle of the park so as to widen the play.
Japan’s offensive approach is based on a pure vertical style of play; mainly because they lack proper wide attackers who can constantly run the channels and deliver crosses to their main man. This is where the SBs come into play and offer more width to the team when they go forward; which, in turn, places a huge responsibility on the CBs’ and DMs’ shoulders to close down the gaps at the back.
Coach Zaccheroni likes to set up his Japan team to soak up the pressure by inviting opposition deep into their own half and then launching quick counter-attacks from out wide and in towards the center of the opposition’s final third.
Much of the play will be at the heart of midfield when Japan have the ball and their attacking players’ technical abilities are their main assets when attempting to score goals. In contrast to their slightly poor defensive performances, they are very efficient in attack and certainly know how to score more than just one goal each game.
Japan must find a good balance between their defensive and offensive approaches and coach Zaccheroni should position his players in a way to best complement their attacking fire-power with their somewhat leaky defensive nature.
Main men: Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda: Both men will have their work cut out for them if Japan are to have any impact at this WC. Kagawa’s vision and technical abilities coupled with Honda’s keen eye for goal and wonderful technique will offer the team numerous options going forward. But they must increase their defensive awareness and be ready to track back and get “stuck in” in defense when needed.
Odds (average from top 24 betting firms): 164.66667
Ahmad Al-Omar - 1. Jun, 06:33
