By Decentric - 20 Jun 2014 10:07 AM
Japan currently playing Greece, have absolutely dominated possession in the attacking half of play, even more than Korea did against Russia. Possession in the attacking half, closely correlates with creating chances on goal, which equates to winning football.
These observations have been based on when there were 11 v 11 on the pitch.
The structured possession of Japan and Korea is infinitely superior to most European nations.=d>
Eurosnobs will say that the score is indicative of standard of football. Wrong. I also doubt many of the technical departments of national federations of mid ranked European teams will admit they are being overtaken by the likes of Japan and Korea.
Results are important , but chances created on goal are even more important. Proactive play and attacking interplay are sage criteria to appraise a football nation.
Japan and Korea have had many more chances to score than their European opponents. In terms of Proactive play, building yup from the back of the pitch to the front, without the opposition touching the ball, Korea and Japan are better than any of the European teams, apart from the four powerhouses we base the FFA NC on. Maybe one can add Portugal and Belgium too.
In terms of handling speed, Japan is much quicker when receiving the ball and passing it onto the next player than many of the nations many in Australia think are infinitely superior to Asian football.
Japan don't get caught in possession easily, because they have had constant training to develop two footednesss and playing football on both sides of the body, in an effective body position. Hence, their footwork is infinitely superior to most European nations who don't have a holistic , national curriculum.
Japan, adopting a Brazilian development model, are constantly supporting the player on the ball, with innumerable, diagonal passing lanes, before they receive the ball. Receiving the ball diagonally, enables a player to have an effective body position to play or move forwards.
Japan were also easily able to break down Greece's slower handling speed of their players, by interception of predictable passes from Greek possession play that is too slow, Greek players having slower handling speed and being unable to move the ball quickly enough in structured possession and attacking combination play.
Japanese players also pass more proficiently with the outside of the foot in tight spaces, hence, feinting as they pass, with both sides of the body. It is just too hard for Greece and the likes of Russia, countries who have the wealth to import good players to their big clubs, to appear better than they are.
Greece is well organised defensively, like many European teams, but they are spectators watching Japan play all the football. Their best chances have been to capitalise on a few mistakes, in the Japanese Defensive Transitions, which should be better than they are - a weakness noted by FFA.
All Greece were able to do was launch a few , quick, accelerated attacks in their Attacking Transitions. The ball carrying of the Greeks has been good. Nevertheless, like Russia, they cannot put together sustained periods of structured possession, through inferior technique and less cohesive teamwork in Ball Possession.
if and when, Japan, and Korea, can become as clinical around goal as their European and South American counterparts, and as tactically astute, they will blow most European nations away.
Aussie teams in the ACL, and the Socceroos, are able to sustain possession, and disturb build ups far more effectively than these mid ranked European teams. I'd contend that it is more useful for Aussies to play in the K and J League, as opposed to the mid ranked Euro leagues.
It is good that Australia is part of Asia.
What the SBS commentators failed to note, is that teams playing like Greece never win World Cups. All teams winning World Cups have had excellent technical qualities.
Greek/Japan games should also see diminishing numbers of Eurosnobs, as the better Asian teams overtake the mediocre European teams.
For the record, Greece is one of my favourite countries to visit.:)
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By SydneyCroatia - 24 Jun 2014 4:31 AM
Decentric wrote:Munrubenmuz wrote:SydneyCroatia wrote:AFC sides:
8 games, 0 wins, 5 for, 14 against. 1 side already eliminated, the other 3 with slim chances to progress.
But at least they're creating chances! And the development. What about the development? In 310 years time an AFC may make a semi. Two made the last 16 in 2010 - Japan and Korea.
We all remember how SK got there. Let me know if you need a reminder
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