DPRK 1-0 Japan

There it is. Japan’s first loss since the World Cup.

First let me apologize for the lack of update over the last couple of weeks. Been busy, etc.

Secondly, I know that Japan had already secured progression into the next round of qualification, but I’m still a bit sad because of this result. Here are some reasons:

1. Always want to win, obviously.

2. Lose the title of ‘Unofficial World Champions.’ This really hurts because it was the first time that Japan had held the title, which they picked up when the beat Argentina last year. I was hoping that they could make into next year and have a run at the record of longest title reign, but I guess 16th longest after one try isn’t bad.

3. This was Japan’s first match in North Korea in 22 years. They had lost the last one, so it would’ve been nice to get one back, especially for the enthusiastic traveling fans.

4. Didn’t complete the calendar year undefeated. I know Japan’s unbeaten run had lasted over 365 days, but to have navigated an entire calendar year without losing would’ve been impressive. And to lose the last one of the year adds to the disappointment.

Highlights, if you can bear.

I don’t really have anything to say about the game, but good job Japan on a wonderful 2011. I’ll write more in my year wrap-up in December, but for now do the same–and more–next year.

Tajikistan 0-4 Japan

Japan have qualified for the fourth round of World Cup qualifying, with a 4-0 away win at Tajikistan. Shinji Okazaki had two goals, while Yasuyuki Konno and Ryoichi Maeda added a goal each. While it wasn’t the 8-0 hammering that they dished out when the two teams met a month ago, it was a good performance in an unfamiliar setting.

Konno opened the scoring in the 36th minute, pouncing on the rebound of Kengo Nakamura’s shot. It was Konno’s first goal in 47 appearances for the national team. The FC Tokyo defender started the attack with an excellent tackle on the left side, eventually leading to captain Hasebe putting Nakamura through with a wonderful chipped pass. The Tajik keeper was able to keep Nakamura’s shot out, but was helpless to keep out Konno’s follow-up.

Okazaki made it 2-0 in the 61st minute with a header. Kagawa made easy work of the Tajik rightback, then sent in a perfect dinked cross to the far post, which Okazaki finished with expert ease.

Maeda made it 3-0 in the 82nd minute with a ferocious shot from the edge of the box. After receiving a pass from Hajime Hosogai, Maeda was forced right by good defending. Unable to penetrate the line of Tajik defenders or find Okazaki or Nakamura, Maeda went right and bypassed the defensive line altogether with an unstoppable shot to the near post. It was the sixth national team goal for the Jubilo Iwata legend.

It was 4-0 in stoppage time after Okazaki finished off a beautiful team goal. Yuichi Komano started the move with a headed pass to Kagawa, who controlled and shrugged off a defender. He passed to Kiyotake. Then the two Cerezo Osaka products played a brilliant one-two (Kagawa backheel). Then Kiyotake played another one-two with Maeda, then played a one-time pass to an open Okazaki on the right who powered home. Seven passes, goal. It was a goal that Spain and Barcelona would be proud of.

Some points: Japan shredded Tajikistan apart attacking from the left. Konno, Nakamura, Kiyotake, and Kagawa all combined well to play some pretty football.

Japan struggled at first with the dreadful pitch. However as the game wore on, they were able to complete more passes and create more chances. It was good to see the ability to adapt to an unfamiliar situation.

The squad is getting deeper. Zaccheroni has been playing a lot of different players and they are now getting used to the short passing style that he’s been implementing. There were good performances from those who wouldn’t necessarily walk into the first xi, Kiyotake and Maeda in particular. This is a very good sign.

Up next is the highly anticipated match at North Korea.

Highlights.

Japanese Players in Europe

Shinji Kagawa was the Japanese star this weekend, as he scored a goal and had two glorious assists. He has been criticized this season for his inconsistent play, but he was in top form in Dortmund’s 5-1 demolition of Wolfsburg. He set up Mario Gotze with a slick backheel for the first, then scored the second just before halftime. In the second half he set up Robert Lewandowski with a heavenly pass with the outside of his boot. Lewandowski did his best to miss the opportunity but managed to score anyway. While Makoto Hasebe was probably unhappy with not playing, he can take comfort in the fact that he was in no way responsible for Wolfsburg’s capitulation. Highlights here.

Hajime Hosogai scored in Augsburg’s 2-1 home loss to Bayern. Goals from Mario ‘The Luckiest Player in the World’ Gomez and Franck Ribery had Bayern 2-0 before 30 minutes had gone. Hosogai netted in the 59th minute to make things interesting, however the newly promoted side were unable to complete the comeback. Takashi Usami was an unused substitute, probably a reward for his continued excellence for Bayern II. Usami has scored five times in nine games for the reserves. Highlights here.

Shinji Okazaki started, got a yellow card, and was subbed off in the 64th minute of Stuttgart’s 3-1 loss at Mainz. All in all, not his best day.

Both Maya Yoshida and Robert Cullen started Venlo’s 0-0 draw with Excelsior. Yoshida played the entire match, but Cullen was subbed off for Michael Uchebo, who is wanted by Stoke. Transfer rumours!

A bit of bad news now, as Ryo was injured in Arsenal reserves 2-0 reserve win over Fulham reserves. He was taken off in the 30th minute with an ankle injury that will keep him out for a minimum of three weeks, according to reserve team coach Neil Banfield. This means he will not feature in the Carling Cup match against Man City. He did play well in his 30 minutes though!

Another injury note: Nagatomo’s calf is still hurt, so he had to pull out of Japan squad, and was replaced by Vitesse’s Michihiro Yasuda, who incidentally played all of Vitesse’s 1-0 loss to NAC Breda over the weekend.

Some good news to end the report: 20 year-old, 6 foot 5, Hiroshi Ibusuki was given a place on the Sevilla bench in this weekend’s match against Mallorca. Ibusuki has been pulling out trees at Sevilla II, scoring 7 goals in 12 matches, making him the second leading scorer in Segunda Division B group 4. Well done!!!

Some links: Here are two articles by the always excellent Yoree Koh on Japanese supporters traveling to North Korea for the upcoming World Cup qualifier. Here and here.

Usami Scores For Bayern!

Takashi Usami scored his first goal for Bayern in a 6-0 cup win over FC Ingolstadt 04 from Bundesliga 2. He came on for Toni Kroos in the 73rd minute and played on the right. He scored in the 90th minute, playing a neat one-two with Ivica Olic to get through on goal, and then sweeping a curling finish past the keeper. He also had a hand in the fifth goal, putting Rafinha in on goal, before the Brazilian saw his cross deflected into goal. A very good day for him. Highlights here.

Ryo Miyaichi featured in Arsenal’s 2-1 Carling Cup win over Bolton on Tuesday. He came on for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the 73rd minute and, though he spent most of his time defending Arsenal’s one goal lead, he received praise from Wenger after the match for his commitment to the team effort. Well done Ryo.

Japanese Players in Europe

Shinji Kagawa scored in the 7th minute as Dortmund hammered Cologne 5-0. Incredibly the win moves the reigning champions into 2nd place, which is astonishing considering their poor start to the season. It was Kagawa’s 2nd goal of the season. Dortmund were excellent, and back to the form that saw them win the Bundesliga at a canter last year. Tomoaki Makino did not make it off the bench for Cologne.

Yuto Nagatomo played the entire ninety minutes as Inter beat Chievo 1-0. Thiago Motta’s lone goal was enough to earn Inter just their second league win of the season, and lifting them to 16th place. Yes, 16th.

Maya Yoshida scored again as VVV Venlo hammered RKC Waalwijk 4-1 on Saturday. However, they are still in the relegation zone.

Shinji Okazaki played 76 minutes in Stuttgart’s 2-2 draw with Nurnberg on Saturday. They are currently in 5th place in the Bundesliga.

Makoto Hasebe played all 90 minutes of Wolfsburg’s 1-1 draw with Hamburg. They remain in 11th place.

Hajime Hosogai played all 90 minutes of Augsburg’s 1-1 draw with Bremen. Augsburg remain in the relegation zone.

Takayuki Morimoto played 60 minutes before being subbed off in Novara’s 3-0 loss to table-toppers Udinese. He was booked in the 15th minute.

Masahiko Inoha scored in the 60th minute in Hajduk Split’s 3-0 win over Lucko on Friday. No, I did not watch this match, but good for him that he scored.

Takashi Usami played all 90 minutes of Bayern II’s 2-1 win over Hessen Kassel. I don’t know if he played well, but the win moves the reserves up to 14th in the Regionalliga Sud standings.