Moriyasu says the buck stops with him at World Cup

Kobe White Bar OwnerNov. 29  09:37 am JST

If Japan beat Spain I'll eat my ...head.

Famous last word ;-)

Hope he’s not turning into a mentalist with all the pressure pit on him. His team selection was incredibly queer and baffled myself and my chums.

Moriyasu says the buck stops with him at World Cup

Wow. A japanese male with actual honor instead of the typical false moralistic bravado.

He's actually taking responsibility. This is so rare in japan.

Here an analysis by the numbers:

https://theanalyst.com/eu/2022/11/japan-costa-rica-stats-world-cup/

To put it simply, Costa Rica won with their ONLY shot on target the whole tournament...

in terms of shots on target - not better. (3 compared to 9 )

in terms of shots off target - not better. (4 compared to 11 )

I don't know where you pulled this numbers out from, buddy, but these are not the official game statistics.

It's just a game. Stop taking it so seriously.....

Doesn't seem to be for the Japanese at least if you watch their overenthusiastic lead up to the game on television.

///Well, I'm going to get some eggs thrown at me for this, but Japan played much better in the game with Costa Rica than in the game with Germany. The loss itself was simply unlucky.////

never know if they played better or worst - 5 different players.

in terms of goals scored - not better.

in terms of shots on target - not better. (3 compared to 9 )

in terms of shots off target - not better. (4 compared to 11 )

in terms of calibre of opposition players - not better.

in terms of ball possession (ahh much better 57% )

Unlucky. still.

The players underperformed. Is that the fault of the players, the coach, or both? More than once, a Japanese cross rolled through the box, without a single Japanese player charging forward to take a shot. Eventually, the combination of a lazy pass and poor clearance gifted the Costa Rican goal. Costa Rica took one shot all match and scored. How many shots and good opportunities did Japanese players squander? Too often, Japan’s players looked tired and uninspired.

As much as players underperformed, Moriyasu also deserves a heaping share of the blame. What looked like inspired strategy against Germany proved buffoonery against Costa Rica. Four defensive backs against Germany didn’t produce anything for Japan in the first half. It was only the second-half change to three defenders that got Japan’s attack moving. Next match, Moriyasu went straight back to the 4-defender set.

A 4-5-1 against Costa Rica’s five defenders was never going to accomplish anything. Costa Rica always had too many bodies in the box for a lone attacker or streaking midfielders to accomplish much.

Japan played stifling defense against Germany, hoping for one or two lucky openings or mistakes. Japan lost to Costa Rica, which used the same strategy against Japan. Moriyasu seems to want to play a 45-minute match, in which Japan wastes the first half and then grabs a goal or two in the second half. It’s a strategy that can win an occasional match. It can’t sustain a full World Cup campaign.

A vivid example of Moriyasu’s tactical bumbling was the play immediately preceding Costa Rica’s goal. Japan had the ball in front of goal and failed to create a good chance in the box. The ball bounced out to a Japanese midfielder who looked for an opportunity to work the ball back into the box. He didn’t find an opening. No Japanese defenders advanced past the center line to give him a back pass option, which would have allowed Japan to keep possession and reset the attack. Swarmed by Costa Rican defenders, the Japanese player lost the ball, which Costa Rica advanced to the other end of the pitch. Two ball handling errors by Japanese defenders, and that was the match.

Moriyasu had the Japanese defenders under orders not to advance under any circumstances. It stifled Japan’s attack and possession, which led directly to Costa Rica’s goal.

Following the goal, Japan had no choice but to advance defenders, but it was too late. Costa Rica could pull back even more players to defend their 1-0 lead. Letting Japanese defenders occasionally slip forward earlier might have made a difference. Moriyasu didn’t allow it until there was no choice and Costa Rica had the means to counter.

It's just a game. Stop taking it so seriously.....

He looks at least 10 years older than he is

You think he looks at least 64?

In that photo at least, I don't think he does.

Can't say I spend much time contemplating the apparent ages of random football managers, though.

He looks at least 10 years older than he is, even with the black shoe polish hair dye job

Well, I'm going to get some eggs thrown at me for this, but Japan played much better in the game with Costa Rica than in the game with Germany. The loss itself was simply unlucky.

I'm still hopeful about the idea for Japan and Spain to make a "gentlemans agreement" to draw the game and probably ensure Japan goes through! (unless Germany beat CR by 2 plus goals, or CR win)

I'm also hopeful that comments are made in reality but sadly it's just no so.

If they played like the way they did last game and the first half of the game against Germany, they are not advancing. Spain will not give them the chance they had against Germany.

Here is me jinxing the most probable outcome.

I'm still hopeful about the idea for Japan and Spain to make a "gentlemans agreement" to draw the game and probably ensure Japan goes through! (unless Germany beat CR by 2 plus goals, or CR win)

Ignore the finger-pointers, Moriyasu. Just do what you have trained to do and trust your gut.

@Kenshin

Today 08:35 am JST

A team is a team. That includes players, managers and coaches. Japan will win against Spain. If you don't believe in that possibility don't watch the match, stop complaining.

If Japan beat Spain I'll eat my ...head.

I thought this was a team sport. Everyone is responsible for how the game is played.

A team is a team. That includes players, managers and coaches. Japan will win against Spain. If you don't believe in that possibility don't watch the match, stop complaining.

Today  08:20 am JST “ ///// Having given a mea culpa for his team's showing, Moriyasu said he is concerned with the degree of criticism leveled at his players. //

NO. there has been no criticism at the players. 

ALL the criticism is on the Bakayaro Manager. “

**Exactly **(!)

///// Having given a mea culpa for his team's showing, Moriyasu said he is concerned with the degree of criticism leveled at his players. //

NO. there has been no criticism at the players.

ALL the criticism is on the Bakayaro Manager.