Goals from Keisuke Honda – scoring in all three group matches with his far post finish – and Shinji Kagawa – slotting home Yoshinori Muto’s low, left wing cross gave Japan a comfortable win over Jordan and a place in the Asian Cup quarter finals against UAE on Friday.
Our images show Yuto Nagatomo steaming down the left wing, Kagawa celebrating his goal – solo and with Muto !
Javier Aguirre sent out an unchanged team for the second time – starting all three group matches with the same line-up, and his faith in his “best XI” was rewarded with an easy win in the end.
If Japan win their quarter final, they will meet the winners of Australia and China – that match will take place on Tuesday 27th January.
With a local time of 18.00 for kick off in Australia, the air was warm, but not too hot – a balmy 27 degrees C, and a slight spatter of rain to add a little zip to the surface – at Hunter Stadium, Newcastle, New South Wales for Japan’s opening match of the Asian Cup, against tournament debutants Palestine.
It was, in the end, a walk in the park for Japan – the Group D favourites – against Asian Cup first-timers Palestine, with Yasuhito Endo, Shinji Okazaki, Keisuke Honda and Maya Yoshida all getting on the scoreboard to open the Samrai Blue defence of the trophy confidently – and with a clean sheet.
Japan celebrate Endo’s opener!
Javier Aguirre chose experience over youth – as I’d expected – with Endo and Makoto Hasebe starting in the middle of the park, despite some critics’ dismissal of both players’ selections for this tournament. With Gaku Shibasaki a little behind in fitness after joining the squad late, due to a flu infection, his non-inclusion was not a surprise anyway, so the veteran pair selected themselves.
Takashi Inui – who had been in a rich vein of goalscoring form in friendlies before the tournament proper – was given the nod over Muto, or Kiyotake, depending on your outlook and Gotoku Saki was looking to make the right back spot his own.
It was no surprise to see Eiji Kawashima between the posts and, of course, this game was never going ahead without Honda, Shinji Kagawa and Okazaki.
Honda beats his man, again!
Life will be a little harder for Japan in their remaining Group D fixtures against Iraq (Friday) and Jordan (Tuesday).
Palestine had qualified for this – their first Asian Cup appearance – through the AFC Challenge Cup, and questions will probably be asked about their winning of a place over more qualified national teams who went through the qualifying process unsuccessfully.
Endo’s opener was a speculative – possible even mis-hit – grass-cutter from about 25 yards that escaped the keeper’s fingertips after he seemed to dive too early. The reigning champions then doubled their lead in the 25th minute when Inter Milan’s left back – said to be on the radar of Premier League West Bromwich Albion – attacked down the left. His cross was forced out, but the bouncing ball fell to Kagawa, who saw his blast headed home from close range by the lightning reflexes of Okazaki.
Palestine had made a habit of pushing and pulling the Japanese players and this came home to roost when Mus’ab Al Battat was judged to have bundled Kagawa over in the penalty area. Honda stepped up to place the ball past the keeper with some ease and it was 3-0 at the break.
Japan made their first change as the second half began, with Hiroshi Kiyotake replacing Takashi Inui as the teams came out for the restart.
Japan added their fourth goal when Kagawa received a short corner in the area, twisted one way, slipped back the other and lobbed a deep far post cross for Yoshida to head home with aplomb. Still lels than 50 minutes on the clock and Japan were cruising in second gear, if that.
Palestine then raised the physical aspect of their game with more and more fouls and started to lose any friends that they might have gained by making it this far. This rough play saw Japan’s second sub, Yoshinori Muto – on for Endo – get a high boot in the stomach (or worse!?) moments after entering the field. His assailant escaped with just a yellow card.
Ahmed Harbi was not so lucky and saw his second yellow in the 73rd minute, and yet, as Palestine went down to ten men, Japan seemed to lose momentum, or desire, or just slip down into a lower gear, their job done.
After earlier flailing – and missing – at the one cross that came his way, Kawashima then saw a free header from a right wing free kick fly past his post as Al Bahdari was given space to attack the ball.
Yohei Toyoda made a late appearance for Japan but did little as the Samurai Blue settled back for the easy win, yet, as additional time wound down it looked as if Japan would get another. Kiyotake saw his shot saved, and then the ball ricocheted around the box and four goal attempts were blocked within ten seconds before the final whistle sounded.
Summary? An easy win against a team that were out of their depth and got more physical as the game progressed. A clean sheet, no yellow cards and, hopefully, no injuries is more than a decent start to the campaign. Bring on Iraq!
After concluding the final contractual details, FC Red Bull Salzburg are officially able to announce the signing of Takumi Minamino.
The 19-year-old attacker is joining the Red Bulls from Cerezo Osaka and has signed a contract until 2018 (with an option of a further year). Minamino is regarded as a major talent in Japan, and he has made 62 appearances already in the J.League. His former Japanese club signed some international stars recently like Diegó Forlan and Cacao, but were this year relegated from the top flight after a difficult season.
FC Red Bull Salzburg have been tracking the development of the promising talent for the last year and a half. Sporting director Ralf Rangnick is delighted about the new signing, saying: “We have had our eyes on Minamino for a long time, and we are convinced that he has great potential. Playing in Europe is the next logical career step for a player like him, and we are very pleased that he would like to begin this journey with FC Red Bull Salzburg.”
The Japanese player is taking a range of performance tests today and tomorrow. He will then train with his new team-mates for the first time on Friday.
We were able to sit down before the Europa League match against Astra Giurgiu to get to know the new signing. We therefore have a short first interview with the likeable talent to present:
Red Bull: You are already well known in Japan, and a few big-name European clubs have taken notice of you. Why did you decide to join Red Bull Salzburg?
Takumi Minamino: I have seen a few Red Bull Salzburg matches, and when I got the offer, I was extremely keen straight away! I really like the intense, attacking way that Red Bull Salzburg play football. I truly believe that I can develop my ability as best as I possibly can in this team. I am looking forward already to playing with my new team, and I hope that we can be very successful together.
RB: What do you know about the team and the coach, Adi Hütter?
TM: I watched the Europa League match against Astra Giurgiu at the Red Bull Arena, and it stood out for me that the coach insists on playing a very intensive style at both ends of the pitch – in attack and defence. I was impressed by the dynamic way of playing and also that there were a lot of young players appearing in the match. That is exactly the style of football that I like, and I look forward to working with Adi Hütter.
RB: How would you describe the kind of player that you are?
TM: I am a rather attacking type of player, and I feel the happiest as an attacking midfielder. My best virtues are probably my dribbling strength, my speed, and I try to shoot a lot. I am playing for the first time in Europe and will try to get used to the playing style of Red Bull Salzburg as quickly as possible. It will be my first year in Europe, so I will also need to get accustomed to the new culture and the people in Salzburg. I am already really looking forward to the new challenge.
RB: A few days ago the club signed another top Asian talent. You have faced Hee-Chan Hwang already a few times in the Asian championship [under-17s]. Have you two been in contact beyond that?
TM: I don’t know Hee-Chan personally, but we have come across each other on the pitch. He is truly a very good player, and he is quite rightfully described as one of the biggest talents in Korea. We are sure to understand one another well.
RB: Salzburg is pleased to welcome many Japanese tourists to Mozart’s home city every year. Have you already been able to discover your new home city a little in your short time here?
TM: I have only been able to stay for one day in Salzburg so far, unfortunately, so I have not seen much yet. I really like the city and the atmosphere though. I was impressed by the river flowing through the centre of the city and the magnificent castle. I am already looking forward to exploring Salzburg when not busy with football. Perhaps we will get a lot of the Japanese tourists coming to our matches in the future, too.
Masaaki Higashiguchi (Gamba) – transformed a team that was known for leaking goals into a trophy-winning team with a tight defence.
DEFENCE:
Koki Yonekura (Gamba) – filled Akira Kaji’s shoes, and more. Created, scored, worked hard. Many years ahead of him, too!
Tsukasa Shiotani (Sanfrecce) – Burst onto the scene as a goalscoring defender who proved that he can play in a Japan NT back four, also. Hope Sanfrecce keep hold of him for a season or three more!
Daisuke Nasu (Reds) A rock between two hard cases (Moriwaki and Makino). Often the only glue that held those boys together. With the attacking tendencies (and referee/opposition-baiting tactics) of his co-defenders, he was the one that stood tall.
JaeSuk Oh (Gamba) Covered right back when needed, but mainly displaced Hiroki Fujiharu at left back, who had been ever-present for two seasons in the Gamba back four.
MIDFIELD:
Yasuhito Endo (Gamba) – The name is enough!
Gaku Shibasaki (Antlers) – Endo’s heir apparent in the national team and Ogasawara’s long-term replacement at Antlers.
Yasushi Endo (Antlers) – Chimed in with goals to back his flair and workrate. Deserves a shot at the national team, too?
Hiroyuki Abe (Gamba) – Unsung hero of Gamba’s attacking bunch. In particular, his early-season goals were important, but his overall workrate up and down the right wing is phenomenal. Another one who deserves Aguirre’s attention.
FORWARDS:
Takashi Usami (Gamba) – Simply changed Gamba’s season (along with Patric’s arrival) upon his return from injury about ten games in!
Yoshito Okubo (Frontale) – Goalscoring phenomenon, and a player everyone hates playing against their team!
Let me take you back to the final game of the 2005 J1 (single stage, thankfully) season … with less than a minute to go in normal time at Nagai Stadium, Cerezo were top of the league and cruising towards a J1 title, leading FC Tokyo 2-1.
The table looked like this as we went into the final 90 minutes:
Going into the final day both Cerezo and Gamba in Osaka, Urawa Reds, JEF United AND Kashima Antlers ALL still had a chance to win the league!
I personally watched a guy in a suit put on his white gloves and take out the (a) J1 trophy from a box, place it on a display pedestal and begin decorating it with pink ribbons. Holding a press pass I was able to be pitch-side as the game approached its conclusion. 1988 was the year I first watched Matsushita Denki, “chosen” as they were the closest team to my new home in Kobe at the time – I VERY much believe in supporting your local team. So, as a long-term Gamba Osaka watcher it was with mixed feelings that I was also watching as a long-term J.League writer – someone who SHOULD be neutral – and seeing Cerezo Osaka about to pick up the trophy. On the field were some friends – some of whom I am still in touch with on a regular basis, including Hiroaki Morishima – still at Cerezo as a team Ambassador.
There were 43,927 packed into the stadium on a bright, sunny day of 12 degrees C. The referee was Toru Kamikawa, and he had signaled that the game was going into additional time.
I looked at the clock, I looked at the trophy and … well, let’s go back a little!
Gamba Osaka had gone ahead 3-2 at Kawasaki Frontale through a Yashito Endo penalty kick with 11 minutes to go. Meanwhile Kashima Antlers were cruising against Kashiwa Reysol, but were not going to become champions unless both Osaka teams lost.
Cerezo had gone ahead through Akinori Nishizawa, before conceding an equaliser to Norio Suzuki and it was level at the break.
Nishizawa scored his second and put Cerezo on top of J1 in the 48th minute … and so back to what I was looking at with seconds to go in the season.
… an FC Tokyo corner in the 90th minute came across. The shot was well-saved by Motohiro Yoshida in the Cerezo goal. The “second ball” fell to Konno who hit it on the bounce, his left foot shot finding its way through a forest of legs to make the score 2-2 and, with one swing of a leg Cerezo dropped from 1st to 5th and Gamba – who eventually won 4-2 at Frontale – were champions.
I looked at the stadium clock as the ball went in – 89 minutes 57 seconds – and then I looked at the man in the suit who had put his white gloves back on and put the trophy back in the box!
Later that night the party arrived at Banpaku…
Beer was sprayed, my shirt was signed, and I still have the “parka” 8and the signed shirt) from that night!
I’ll be in Tokushima tomorrow, looking forward to another waste of beer! But there’ll be no enumeration of as yet unborn poultry … a win and the J1 Championship is Gamba’s. Period. But a draw or a loss, and that man in the suit, wearing the white gloves may yet be cursing his luck again!
Stuart Smith and Jon Steele guested to talk about Japan’s friendlies against Jamaica and Brazil (to 15:00), and their bread and butter, J2, as the races to make (at the top) and avoid (at the bottom) the playoffs really heat up with six games to go (to 1:01:20).
We finish off the episode with a check on J3.
About the plan to split the season into two and have “six-month” champions who will vie with an “overall champion” in a complicated post season jamboree to increase revenue.
It’s an exceptionally bad idea, the kind of which could only have been dreamed up or approved by people like Mr Mitsuru Murai who have come into football from a completely different culture midway through their careers.
Having a “first stage” and “second stage” will leave the team winning the “first stage” demotivated for the second half of the season and ruin the spectacle for their fans.
It will also take away the magic of the Emperor’s Cup. One of the reasons football is so popular is because we can enjoy sudden death in the cup tournaments and the long hard slog of the league at the same time.
What is the Emperor’s Cup for if the league also ends in a knock-out style tournament? For that matter, what is the league for if it ends in a knockout tournament? This blatant disregard for the traditions of football will harm Japan’s standing in the international football community, no?
Sure post-season works for sports without a separate cup competition, like the NFL, but even them you don’t see them arbitrarily slicing in the year into two halves.
The new system will also discourage talented foreign players from coming to Japan – who wants to have on their CV a Mickey Mouse system which is not accepted elsewhere in the world?
The two-stage system will be a great step backwards. It is ironic that a Japanese league is proposing a system that violates the natural cycle of the calendar and the seasons.
