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?

The Summer So Far

Sorry for the extended absence–I just finished school and graduated. There was a lot to tie up at the end and things got quite busy, but graduation was one of the proudest days of my life. Congratulations to the Dartmouth Class of 2012!

While I’ve been away, there has been a lot going on in the world of Japanese football. For one, the next round of World Cup qualification began. Japan has got off to a flying start, and the match with Australia was one of the more electric qualifying matches for any tournament that I’ve seen. Shinji Kagawa has moved to Manchester United. As expected, the best Japanese player over the past two seasons has completed his dream move to England. Takashi Usami has moved to Hoffenheim. After a season of limited opportunities at Bayern, Usami moved to a different Bundesliga team where his playing time will most likely increase dramatically. Finally, the preliminary Japanese Olympic football team has been announced. I’ll examine all these things in the coming days as I get back to posting regularly.

Japan has gotten off to a great start in the fourth round of World Cup qualification. After three matches played in Group B, Japan is in first place with 7 points and a +9 goal difference. They started things off with a 3-0 home win over Oman, and then a 6-0 home win over Jordan. Honda scored a hat trick in the second game. In their third match, they earned a 1-1 draw away to Australia, in what was likely their most difficult fixture of the round. With two sendings off and an electric crowd of over 40,000, the match was a great spectacle. Next up for Japan is a home match with Iraq on 11 September.

Shinji Kagawa moves to Manchester United. Kagawa signed a four-year deal on Friday, 22 June. He had previously said that the Premier League was his dream destination, and after he rejected renewed terms from Dortmund, it was widely expected that his dream would be realized. When Alex Ferguson was on hand to watch Kagawa play an instrumental role in Dortmund’s 5-2 mauling of Bayern Munich in the DFB Pokal Final, a move to United seemed a certainty. After he signed, there was speculation as to whether he would wear the famous No. 7 shirt, with previous holder Michael Owen having been released. However, Kagawa said that he could not yet wear the shirt as he had not yet accomplished anything with the club, and would instead chose a number with “personal meaning.” I will post on where Kagawa will likely play for United and the implication his success could have for the national team in the coming days. But for now, congratulations to a great player on a great move! Personally, I can’t think of a team where he would be better suited to succeed.

Takashi Usami moves to TSG Hoffenheim. Usami found first team opportunities few and far between at Bayern last season. With Ribery and Robben playing the same position as him, it was always going to be difficult for Usami to break into the first team. He was a standout for the reserve team, however, and was regularly rewarded for his good play with a place on the first team bench. The move to Hoffenheim is perfect, and he should get consistent first team playing time.He’s still only 20 years old, and a good debut season could be the first step in a successful career in Europe.

The preliminary squad for Japan’s Olympic men’s football team has been announced. The 35-man roster includes Ryo Miyaichi, Hiroki Sakai (recently signed with Hannover 96), Gotoku Sakai, Hiroshi Kiyotake, and Usami. The three overage players are Yuhei Tokunaga (def, FC Tokyo), Maya Yoshida, and Akihiro Hayashi (gk, Shimizu S-Pulse). Kagawa and Honda were both left out after long club seasons. The squad will be trimmed to 18 + 4 reserve players by 11 July.

Look forward to regular posting now that I have graduated.

Yoshiaki Takagi scores for FC Utrecht

Nineteen year-old Yoshiaki Takagi scored his first goal for FC Utrecht. The goal came in the 48th minute of Utrecht’s 3-1 win away at Roda JC. It was the final game of the Eredivisie season for both teams. Let’s see if Takagi’s good play for Utrecht will get him noticed and considered for a spot on the Olympic team. Highlight here.