World Cup Update
12:36 AM
Brazil Australia - 2 - 0 (Adriano, Fred (sub))I am so thankful. I was hoping for a 2 - 0 win at the very least. It could have been a 4 - 0 but Kaka screwed up. Oh well, he's not too bad.
Finally I've seen Brazil play. I am sooo afraid for Japan. They outclass any other team I've seen so far, with the possible exception of Ecuador. Ecuador's quite the team really. Brazil's tons flashier but no team creates chances and utilizes them like Ecuador does. brazil has the occasional mistake, but they're still a pleasure to watch because they're so creative tactics-wise. Ronaldo is losing his touch but he's still alright, decent enough. Ronaldinho's fun, so is Cafu, Carlos and the usual gang.
I am amazed that Croatia managed to hold the forte against Brazil. Amazing! They must have played tons better as compared to with Japan yesterday, and add that to Japan's lucky pot and they're really one helluva lucky team. I'm glad to see Australia outclassed by Brazil, because they really aren't in Brazil's league. They're all Real players mostly aren't they? hahahahhaa. 'slike playing with your usual team.
Ball handling Australia is really poor. Brazil handles the ball marvelously. I wish I'd caught the Croatia brazil match. I think it must have been disappointing to see the way Croatia played yesterday, because they must be tons better if they could hold up against Brazil that well. But Brazil apparently used to be a lot better too. Japan will need more than luck to avoid a humiliating defeat.
Now since Australia has lost 2-0, they may end third if Croatia manages to beat them. Croatia Has to beat them to get in. So does Japan, but I think Japan's going home. Oh well, pleasure watching Nakamura. They tried but they'll need a lot more than what they have right now to make it anywhere. More determination, more stamina, more creativity. So we're all banking on Croatia and Australia now - nobody's looking at Japan anymore - Croatia must win.
Finally, a game I can be neutral about - France and Korea. I hate both, I don't really care who wins or loses. I just wanna watch some joga bonito.
Kinou no ban dareka ga uchi ni kiita..."is the Japan goalkeeper good?"
Here's my take on this. He performed brilliantly last night, but I wouldn't say he's Brilliant. Because if he really is, he wouldn't have made the mistakes he did the last game. Taking the last game into account, he's just a decent goalkeeper, at the most, just above average. brilliant goalkeepers must have an unwavering instinct for the ball, no matter under what pressure, with minimal mistakes in judgement. Kawaguchi displayed stress under pressure, crucial misjudgements - something that normal goalkeepers would be guilty of, but a really excellent 'keeper wouldn't be. I've yet to see that really excellent 'keeper but the one that comes closest is Cech. He's a notch above Kawaguchi, displaying excellent judgement most of the time and fewer mistakes.
I credit kawaguchi for saving the penalty. but the penalty was from an average striker. Owen wouldn't have missed, Kawaguchi could barely have saved an Owen penalty because world class strikers would have the skill and courage to put in a high powered ball right on target and not miss. Yesterday's striker was playing it safe and he put in an average speed shot on ground. On the ground it's probably a tad easier to save ( being goalie on several accounts, I will admit that it's easier to save ground shots than air shots because you really need to be impeccable with your timing with air shots because there's so much more space to cover). He wasn't banking on the fact that Kawaguchi's a decent goalkeeper. I'll say that other goalkeepers would have had a decent chance at saving that penalty too. Kawaguchi was skilled enough and lucky enough to save an average shot.
So I'd put him on a pedestal for performing under pressure, but I'll have you bear in mind that that shot wasn't the best of shots.
But he is the best japan's got, probably the best in Asia. But I think he might have potential, because he has good instinct and his judging capabilities can probably be honed.
Back to Japan - Nakamura as a playmaker is decent. He's got creativity but he can be a little bit more inspired. He's good too, always seeking to improve. I think he's got plenty of potential seeing what he gives in every game - he does try his best and he does display the knack for creativity especially when it comes to handling the ball. I love the way he staggers his running - when he's cornered, he does exactly the opposite of what you'd expect - instead of speeding up to outrun, he slows down to outwit and he's off in another direction. I love that little trick of his. Pity they didn't have him on last 4 years, if he was as good as he is now Japan might have made it to third round.
okay. till then. cheers.