Japan 1-0 Morocco

Kensuke Nagai scored the winner in the 84th minute.

The Japanese men defeated Morocco 1-0 to book a place in the quarterfinals. Kensuke Nagai scored the only goal in the 84th minute of an entertaining match. The victory leaves Japan needing only a draw against Honduras to secure top spot in the group and likely avoid Brazil in the quarterfinals.

Morocco started the match very well, keeping the ball and moving it across midfield comfortably. Japan didn’t seem to be pressing with the same urgency as they had against Spain, and as a result Morocco was able to keep possession without much trouble. Former PSV man Nordin Amrabat had a great chance to open the scoring in the 18th minute but his shot was blocked by Gotoku Sakai. Japan got better as the half wore on and Moroccan keeper Mohamed Amsif had to produce a wonderful goal-line save to prevent Sakai from heading home the opening goal. Maya Yoshida had a free header just before half-time but couldn’t put his effort on target.

Morocco started the second half strong and were able to keep possession in much the same way they did early in the first half. However, again Japan improved as the half wore on. In the 62nd, Amsif had to produce another glorious save to prevent Japan from scoring. Hiroshi Kiyotake unleashed a great shot that Amsif managed to tap onto the crossbar. The ball then bounced off Amsif’s back straight into the air for an easy take. In the 70th, Amsif prevented Japan from scoring once again, this time pushing Yuki Otsu’s shot just left of the post. Japan had another chance in the 78th when Kensuke Nagai played in Hotaru Yamaguchi with a beautiful flick, but Yamaguchi blazed his first time shot over the bar.

The breakthrough finally came in the 84th when Kiyotake played a perfect ball over the defense that Nagai lobbed over the charging Amsif with his first touch. Amsif had rushed out thinking he would reach the ball first, but the speedy Nagai beat him to it and lobbed with the outside of his right. It was the type of magnificent finishing that Japan had lacked against Spain.

Morocco had their best chance of the match in stoppage time as the dangerous Zakaria Labyad was played through on goal. His effort was stopped by Gonda, and a rebound shot from Omar El Kaddouri was blocked by captain Yoshida.

Morocco were excellent and had no trouble keeping possession. All their players were comfortable on the ball and able to pass it with ease. Morocco’s passing was helped by Japan’s lack of pressing at times, but even when they were pressed they combined well, especially down the left where Labyad was lively throughout.

Unlike Spain, Morocco also had a great forward presence in the excellent Nordin Amrabat. He held the ball up expertly and linked well with the wide players. However, like Spain, Morocco did struggle to get behind the Japanese defense and create clear chances.Their two biggest opportunities came from a set piece and a long ball over the top. Labyad also had a couple shots from long range.

Japan was unable to keep the ball in midfield as well as they did against Spain. Otsu, Kiyotake, and Keigo Higashi did have great moments of combination, but most of the midfield threat came when they ran at the Moroccan defense. Otsu and Kiyotake were particularly good in this regard. No time yet for Takashi Usami who might have helped with the passing in the second half.

Nagai wasn’t pressing the defense as much as he did against Spain, but he still held up play very well and was able to reach passes with his speed. His finish was a thing of beauty.

Once again the defense was very good, with Yoshida excellent in the center. Gotoku Sakai was great on the right, but didn’t provide as much attacking verve as Hiroshi Sakai did against Spain. Gonda was excellent in goal as well. After two games, Japan and Mexico are the only teams that have not conceded a goal.

Another great win for Japan and one more point to clinch first place in the group.

Spain 0-1 Japan

Yuki Otsu scored the winner against Spain.

Unless you’ve been ignoring the Olympics completely, you’ve heard about Japan’s magnificent win over gold medal favorites Spain. Yuki Otsu scored the game’s only goal in the 34th minute off a corner. A few minutes later, Inigo Martinez was sent off for fouling Kensuke Nagai on a breakaway, but Spain was still able to keep much of possession despite being a man down. Japan had a number of chances to extend their lead in the second half and put the game to bed, but their poor finishing didn’t come back to haunt them as Spain never really threatened.

Despite poor finishing in the second half, this was a great win for Japan. Going into the match, Spain was a favorite for the gold. They had World Cup and Euro winners Juan Mata and Javi Martinez. They had Jordi Alba, one of this Euro’s best players. They had the electric Bilbao midfielders Ander Herrera and Iker Muniain. They had one of the world’s best shot-stoppers in David De Gea. On paper, this team could challenge for senior international titles. And Japan beat them, pretty comfortably. Besides an early long range shot from Juan Mata, I don’t remember Shuichi Gonda really being troubled. Only twice (Adrian and Alba) did Spain get behind the Japanese defensive line. On the other hand, I can remember Japan having four great opportunities to extend their lead. This wasn’t a smash-and-grab against one of the most talented and accomplished teams in the tournament. It was a deserved victory that could’ve been more.

The sending off benefited Japan, but it wasn’t decisive. In the second half, they were able to keep the ball longer and expose Spain’s lack of defensive cover. Spain also had one less player to press with and allowed Japan to keep the ball for longer, but they were able to keep the ball as well as they had been with eleven men. Aside from some of the chances that Japan created and missed anyway, the man advantage wasn’t that influential in the game.

Spain’s biggest problem was lack of an attacking outlet. They needed someone to remain central to finish off crosses and passes, but all of their attacking players were more interested in staying wide. The senior side suffered from a similar problem at the Euros, but they were able to get behind defenses much more frequently than the Olympic side today. Considering that largely the same team had no problems scoring at last year’s European Under-21 Championships, Spain’s lack of attacking options was surprising.

While Spain were able to keep much of the possession, Japan won the midfield battle. Otsu, Hiroshi Kiyotake, and Keigo Higashi were able to keep the ball and combine brilliantly with lone striker Nagai. Otsu in particular caused havoc on the right side of the Spanish defense throughout the first half.

Captain Maya Yoshida was immense in the center of defense, breaking up attacks before Spain could camp players outside the box. Yoshida also elegantly carried the ball into midfield on a number of occasions. Hiroki Sakai was also terrific on the right, keeping Jordi Alba quiet and providing speed on the counter. After he was forced off because of injury, Gotoku Sakai was equally impressive as his replacement.

Despite missing some chances, Kensuke Nagai was excellent as the lone striker. He held up play, opened up space with his speed, and, most importantly, pressed the Spanish defenders and caused several giveaways.

On the Spanish side, De Gea was excellent. He saved Nagai’s shot on a breakaway, and displayed his world class shot-stopping skills early in the second half against Higashi.

This was a hugely important win, not only because it was against Spain, but also because the group runners-up face Brazil, a matchup you want to save for later.

A great win and a great start to the London Olympics.

Olympics So Far: Japan Qualifies For The Quarterfinals

Kensuke Nagai scored the winner against Morocco.

Here’s a quick update on the Japanese Men’s Football team at the London Olympics. After 1-0 victories over Spain and Morocco, Japan has qualified for the knockout stages. I will post full reports on both matches later today.

The victory over Spain was stunning, and Japan probably should’ve won by more. Spain controlled possession but were unable to create any clear chances. Yuki Otsu’s first-half goal was enough for the three points.

Morocco was a tough opponent and were comfortable in possession. They started both halves strongly and had a good chance through the excellent Nordin Amrabat. But as time passed, Japan became better and started to dictate play. Kensuke Nagai grabbed a late winner to send Japan into the knockout rounds. Surprisingly, Spain lost again 1-0 to Honduras and were eliminated.

Japan will need at least a point against Honduras to clinch first place. They will be especially eager to do so as second place secures a likely quarterfinal match with Brazil.

On the women’s side, Japan are second in their group after a win over Canada and a goalless draw with Sweden. After an opening 2-1 win over Canada, Japan were unable to score against a Sweden side they defeated in the semifinal of last year’s Women’s World Cup. Japan will play South Africa tomorrow in their final group match.

Olympic Football Roster Announced

Kenyu Sugimoto was a surprise inclusion.

The Japan Olympic football squad was announced today, and there were some surprise inclusions/exclusions. Here’s the squad:

Keeper: Shuichi Gonda, Shunsuke Ando

Def: Yuhei Tokunaga (overage), Maya Yoshida (overage), Daisuke Suzuki, Hiroki Sakai, Gotoku Sakai

Mid: Hiroshi Kiyotake, Taisuke Muramatsu, Keigo Higashi, Hotaru Yamaguchi, Takahiro Ogihara, Takashi Usami

Fwd: Kensuke Nagai, Yuki Otsu, Manabu Saito, Kenyu Sugimoto

Injury standby: Akihiro Hayashi (keeper-overage), Kazuki Oiwa (def), Takuji Yonemoto (mid), Ryohei Yamazaki (fwd)

The notable omission has to be Ryo Miyaichi. The most likely explanation is that Arsenal were not going to release him for the Olympics. However, the fact that they posted a note on their website about his inclusion in the preliminary squad, and the rumors swirling about his imminent loan move to Southampton, indicate that a) they were at least entertaining the idea of letting him go, and b) since he is moving on loan, his participation in the Olympics didn’t matter to them at all. So, if Arsenal were in fact okay with him being in the squad, then this is a ridiculous omission. Firstly, he played regularly for Bolton last season, in the most competitive league in the world. While he didn’t start every match, he came off the bench in the ones he didn’t, and at least got playing time in most of Bolton’s matches. This is more than some of the players chosen above him can say, playing in the J. League. Secondly, he is one of the most talented players that Japan have. The Olympics are the time to test out your talents, so take your most talented players.

Another omission is Yoshiaki Takagi who should’ve been at least a reserve. He started playing regularly for Utrecht at the end of last season, which should be enough to warrant a spot on the Olympic team. Yuya Osako, Mizuki Hamada, and Hiroshi Ibusuki were also omitted. Osako has been playing well for a an underachieving Kashima Antlers side this season. Hamada is an exciting central defender, but the JFA opted for overage players in that position. Ibusuki should’ve also been at least a reserve–he could’ve provided a plan b in the Andy Carroll mold.

The biggest surprise inclusion is Kenyu Sugimoto, who has four goals this season for Tokyo Verdy…in J.2. At 6 foot 2, he does provide that plan b, but clearly Ibusuki, with 20 goals in the Spanish third division, should get in ahead of him.

I will post about the potential starting xi in the future, but for now, what do you think?