Japan soaked up some early pressure in a first half that they allowed France to run away with, but France failed to capitalize on their possession and Japan came back into the game in the 2nd half. While the winning goal could not be said to have come from an unlikely source – Kagawa – the genesis of the goal was indeed unlikely.
France took a corner late on, the ball broke free and centre back Konno sprinted up the field. As he approached the penalty area, on his right wing was left back Nagatomo, in front of him was right back Uchida! He slipped the ball outside to Nagatomo who pinged it across the goal into a crowd of players when all were expecting/hoping for the killer shot. But in that crowd was Kagawa, who finished smartly, falling as he connected with the low volley, and Japan took the game!
The result was excellent, some of the performance not so excellent, especially the 1st half, but any win against a top-ranked team can only bring more confidence to the team, and the squad.
Analyzing individual games it’s hard to point out any particular times when a Japanese player had a problem – which doesn’t say too much for the French team – but also, it’s hard to pick out any individual brilliance to comment on, apart from Kawashima, in the Japan goal, who did pull off a couple of smart saves in the closing minutes before Japan took the lead.
Sakai did enough at right back for us to not notice he wasn’t Uchida. Endo was his usual calm and collected self, spraying passes all over, while he also got in a couple of biting tackles when needed – he ended the game with the captain’s armband, after Hasebe went off – a fitting way to mark his record-equaling 122nd appearance for the Samurai Blue. Hasebe was as reliable as ever, but when replaced by Hosogai it was the right timing – if he doesn’t get to play more, or get a quick transfer, Hosogai may be getting that starting place soon.
Nagatomo beat the French right side with ease often enough, but his crosses came to nothing. On the right Sakai was less conspicuous in attacking mode. Nakamura, Kagawa and Kiyotake were up and down the field, working hard, but also creating space for each other and confident in the pass.
In central defence, Yoshida and Konno put nary a foot (or head) wrong, although the French attack could have done better with the possession they had, but forwards who can’t finish are the product of, among other things, defenders doing their jobs.
Zaccheroni gave Inui some time on the field late on, and the ex-Cerezo man – teaming up with Kagawa (and Kiyotake also in on the Cerezo connection) again – showed flashes of why he should be considered for selection again soon.
So, no individual brilliance, perhaps, from Japan, but a decent all-round performance in the end, and a win for Les Bleus Samourais!
Bring on Brazil!
Japan starting XI (4-2-3-1)
GK Kawashima
DF (R to L) H. HasebSakai, Yoshida, Konno, Nagatomo
DMF Endo,Hasabe
OMF (R to L) Kiyotake, Nakamura, Kagawa
FW 194cm Havenaar Mike