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Subject: [NT] Japan
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Hope to get back on track this week after the loss last week. :)
RL Japan
Is a collection of some 3000 islands, a land mass of ~378 km2 maintains a population of ~128 million (about 30% larger then New Zealand, but with 32X the population).
It boasts the world's second best economy, and has a constitutional monarchy (tho parliament has essentially all the power). Main religions are Buddhism and Shinto (combine for ~85%).
Sokker Japan
Is into it's 4th season (3rd for the National side). Currently sitting at 13 users, and not showing alot of growth. The team is ranked 52nd at the moment, and is off to the best start of the lower half of Group J - with a nice win against India, and a draw versus Moldova.
Not much to see on the Japanese roster. Asari, a 30 year old defender, is the cap leader at 34. Teshima holds the team record for assists with 6. Two players share the goal lead with a dozen: 22 year old Shinoda, and perhaps the brightest hope on their roster, 19 year old Hiraoka.
Managers of participating New Zealand players have been notified.
RL Japan
Is a collection of some 3000 islands, a land mass of ~378 km2 maintains a population of ~128 million (about 30% larger then New Zealand, but with 32X the population).
It boasts the world's second best economy, and has a constitutional monarchy (tho parliament has essentially all the power). Main religions are Buddhism and Shinto (combine for ~85%).
Sokker Japan
Is into it's 4th season (3rd for the National side). Currently sitting at 13 users, and not showing alot of growth. The team is ranked 52nd at the moment, and is off to the best start of the lower half of Group J - with a nice win against India, and a draw versus Moldova.
Not much to see on the Japanese roster. Asari, a 30 year old defender, is the cap leader at 34. Teshima holds the team record for assists with 6. Two players share the goal lead with a dozen: 22 year old Shinoda, and perhaps the brightest hope on their roster, 19 year old Hiraoka.
Managers of participating New Zealand players have been notified.
A little slow getting underway. Perhaps the grounds crew is having some difficulty with the corner flags.
Or the refs are having trouble counting the Yen the japs are trying to buy them with
Indeed. :D Maybe bribes should be made in a common currency to help the lads with whistles.
Underway.
4-3-3 again this week, though a much more conventional formation then the past two weeks. Defense is quite high, and a defender often moves into a support role, so it is quite offensive even with 4 backs.
Bodger takes the penalties, Atkinson takes the freebies. Tomlinson relieves Atkinson at 60, Root takes Matthews at 70, and Richards takes Kelly at 75 (normally don’t use all 3 subs in a competition match - hopefully no knocks during the final 15 ticks). Have the forwards shifting around every 30 minutes, so only 1 player is covered for a red-card (Hird would assume Kelly’s spot if he were to get into trouble).
I’m optimistic the poor finishing of the first two Q matches is behind us, and that the team will put up a rugby score in this one.
4-3-3 again this week, though a much more conventional formation then the past two weeks. Defense is quite high, and a defender often moves into a support role, so it is quite offensive even with 4 backs.
Bodger takes the penalties, Atkinson takes the freebies. Tomlinson relieves Atkinson at 60, Root takes Matthews at 70, and Richards takes Kelly at 75 (normally don’t use all 3 subs in a competition match - hopefully no knocks during the final 15 ticks). Have the forwards shifting around every 30 minutes, so only 1 player is covered for a red-card (Hird would assume Kelly’s spot if he were to get into trouble).
I’m optimistic the poor finishing of the first two Q matches is behind us, and that the team will put up a rugby score in this one.
i think that was a pretty good game all round, some players let the team down at times, Matthews near the end of his playing doing stupid things, and Watts in the last quarter of the match, but otherwise a very sweet performance. Pretty happy with Bodger's hattrick and with his all-round play. Hird was showing his form for a lot of it but shone pretty well too, his assist was pretty spectacular ;).
Kelly didn't play up to his usual self, but made a pretty nice goal from that free-kick, i dont think anyone was expecting that.. I liked Kilkenny steaming down the opposition to catch them once they got away from Watts' shoddy defending :P Taylor was pretty crap in this game though, no shots made for him to save!
A nice offside trap to catch the japs offside a lot and throw ins were good setup, sometimes didn't work because the defensive player throwing in was slow.
GJ Seca :)
Kelly didn't play up to his usual self, but made a pretty nice goal from that free-kick, i dont think anyone was expecting that.. I liked Kilkenny steaming down the opposition to catch them once they got away from Watts' shoddy defending :P Taylor was pretty crap in this game though, no shots made for him to save!
A nice offside trap to catch the japs offside a lot and throw ins were good setup, sometimes didn't work because the defensive player throwing in was slow.
GJ Seca :)
18 shots was a little disappointing given 3/4 of the match was in Japan's end. But the finishing was good.
Thought Bodger was terrific - did something productive with the ball almost every touch. I was also really impressed with Tomlinson - he provided lots of nice service - unfortunately it was all for Roza, who was the one forward unable to break the Japanese defense. Atkinson also played well. Matthews was a disappointment for me - did not provide the quality of service I've often seen from him. I would agree Watts was a little conspicuous. Poor young Root didn't even get a touch.
Would have liked to see more through balls - Kelly and the defense almost always chose to move the ball up the flanks. Don't blame them for that - the flanks were open.
Snowy11 encouraged me to use a 3-4-3 instead of a 4-3-3. I actually think the 4-3-3 is a better formation for pinning an opponent in their end, but will certainly consider a 3-4-3 for the rematch.
I'm led to believe Canada is using a number of second stringers and fresh call-ups in their match today - so I expect the goal differential gap will close a little.
Thought Bodger was terrific - did something productive with the ball almost every touch. I was also really impressed with Tomlinson - he provided lots of nice service - unfortunately it was all for Roza, who was the one forward unable to break the Japanese defense. Atkinson also played well. Matthews was a disappointment for me - did not provide the quality of service I've often seen from him. I would agree Watts was a little conspicuous. Poor young Root didn't even get a touch.
Would have liked to see more through balls - Kelly and the defense almost always chose to move the ball up the flanks. Don't blame them for that - the flanks were open.
Snowy11 encouraged me to use a 3-4-3 instead of a 4-3-3. I actually think the 4-3-3 is a better formation for pinning an opponent in their end, but will certainly consider a 3-4-3 for the rematch.
I'm led to believe Canada is using a number of second stringers and fresh call-ups in their match today - so I expect the goal differential gap will close a little.
Pretty questionable line-up from Canada. Only played one strong offensive player, and he was red carded in the first half. Moldova came pretty close to tieing the game in the second half.
He was being sportsmanlike and trying to give them a chance, not playing badly :P.
Heehee. If that was the plan (I'm obviously not part of the loop anymore), then he succeeded. :) It was pretty darn tight.
hehehe yeah, the first english football player with good sportsmanship.
Ban to gibbage for lying!
Ban to gibbage for lying!