Tactical mistakes, lack of determination from players, slow response from coach Hajime Moriyasu and backstage instability contributed to Japan's elimination in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Asian Cup.
Japan's journey to conquer the fifth Asian Cup ended unfinished in the quarter-finals, after they lost 1-2 to Iran. The "Samurai Blue" received a bitter defeat when they were ranked 17th in the world, number one in Asia and were praised as the best version of history thanks to 11 consecutive wins before the tournament. But in Qatar, Japan won three, lost two, scored 12 and conceded eight goals, and showed no signs of a championship candidate in both professional tactics and competitive mentality.
The Japan Times commented that "this outcome was predictable for a team that did not deserve to be a championship candidate". The passion that the Japanese players had for the tournament was not enough when looking at Iraq, Iran or their arch-rivals South Korea - the team that had two consecutive unbelievable escapes in the extra minutes of the knockout round.
Ko Itakura fouled Hossein Kanani (No. 13) leading to a penalty at the end of the match where Japan lost 1-2 to Iran, in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Asian Cup. Photo: Reuters
Before the tournament, Takehiro Tomiyasu and some stars playing in Europe were unhappy with the schedule, because the Asian Cup forced them to leave their clubs at an important stage when these players had found their footing. "Whether they like it or not, some members find it difficult to fully devote themselves to the team's goals," commented the Japan Times .
When facing opponents with a big gap in skill like Vietnam, Indonesia or Bahrain, Japan had some difficulties but generally controlled the situation, winning easily. But against Iraq and Iran, Japan was overwhelmed by the opponent's desire to win. After the defeat in the quarter-finals, Tomiyasu admitted that he lacked many things. "I didn't feel the inspiration from the team, especially in the second half and from myself," said the Arsenal midfielder. Meanwhile, Ritsu Doan described his and his teammates' performance in the second half as "disastrous".
Main events of the match between Japan and Iran, 1-2, in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Asian Cup.
Not only lacking in enthusiasm, as Soccermagazine (SM) In the second half, Japan lost to Iran in both tactics and man-management . First, the team's lines were disconnected, and they could not escape the pressing in their own half, putting too much pressure on the defense. Japan could not dominate possession, and counterattacks were easily stopped even when they brought on dribblers like Kaoru Mitoma or skilled striker Takumi Minamino.
In a disadvantageous situation, coach Hajime Moriyasu was too slow to make personnel changes despite having three substitutions left. SM believes that the 55-year-old coach needs to replace the weakest link in the defense, center-back Ko Itakura - who was at fault for two goals conceded, and add a center-back and a midfielder to improve the ability to compete, recover the ball and strengthen the center. In addition, Japan is still vulnerable to long and high balls, which cost them a penalty in the second half's injury time.
Chinese television channel CCTV commented: "Japanese players playing in Europe have increased in both quantity and quality, but they are mainly strong in technique and lack physical players." As a result, the Japanese midfield with Wataru Endo and Hidemasa Morita is inferior to the physical style of play of Iran or Iraq. CCTV warned that the physical aspect could become a weakness for Japan, in the context that Asian opponents have more and more players who are well adapted to European football.
Japan did not show more energy than Iran - the opponent who had just gone through 120 minutes of hard battle, then beat Syria in the round of 16 penalty shootout. Kaoru Mitoma assessed: "If we cannot defeat the opponent who had to go to the penalty shootout in the previous round, we have to admit that we are inferior to them".
Japanese players disappointed after stopping in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Asian Cup. Photo: Reuters
Choosing this goalkeeper with three bloodlines of Japan, America and Ghana as the starting goalkeeper is considered a bold but failed move by coach Hajime Moriyasu at the 2023 Asian Cup. The Japanese head coach did not retain any goalkeeper from the 2022 World Cup, placing his trust in the 21-year-old goalkeeper. But in all five matches played, Suzuki has conceded goals, with four errors leading to goals. No team can win the championship with such a fragile defense.
Stopping in the quarterfinals is a failure for Japanese football. The Japan Times asserts that Moriyasu and his students have missed the only realistic chance to win a major title. The halo of 11 consecutive wins before the 2023 Asian Cup has shown its downside, blinding the current generation of the Japanese team, causing them to miss out on glory.
Hieu Luong
Source link
Comment (0)