Japan routs Syria 5-0 in World Cup qualifier

Here is what will happen.

Japan will coast through Asian qualifying and reach the World Cup.

in the World Cup they will pull off one or two surprises in group play.

they advance to round of 16 and then are narrowly defeated in the knockout stage.

everyone talks about how much progress they’ve made

rinse, repeat every four years

Advancing the the WC quarters is definitely the next hurdle. The matches vs. S.Korea and China in Asian qualifying are highly entertaining.

Well, it surely was more kind of a gentle training match against that weak opponent from Syria. But the Japenese team showed some really nice tactics and speedy tricky moves, especially when not under too much pressure. If they can somehow keep that level also when some much stronger opponents will come, then making it up to the world cup's final four teams is surely a probable and deserved scenario.

in the World Cup they will pull off one or two surprises in group play.

they advance to round of 16 and then are narrowly defeated in the knockout stage.

everyone talks about how much progress they’ve made

rinse, repeat every four years

Not really. I think their record is getting to the knockout stage is a bit over 50%. Not to be sniffed at though - this is the biggest, best and most competitive international team sport event in the world ( some argue the Euros is better in terms of overall quality ).

 But the Japenese team showed some really nice tactics and speedy tricky moves, especially when not under too much pressure. If they can somehow keep that level also when some much stronger opponents will come, then making it up to the world cup's final four teams is surely a probable and deserved scenario

Always a bit strange to say a decent but not world-class team will probably reach the semis. You could meet someone like France in the last 16. You may also get a nasty group and go home early.

A decent generation of Japanese players though. Hope they do well.

5-0 against Syria. Zzzzzzzzzzzz…

…

stickman1760Today  11:14 am JST “ Here is what will happen.

Japan will coast through Asian qualifying and reach the World Cup.

in the World Cup they will pull off one or two surprises in group play.

they advance to round of 16 and then are narrowly defeated in the knockout stage.

everyone talks about how much progress they’ve made

rinse, repeat every four years “

Depressing. But(!) if we exclude the usual suspects (”the big 8” from Europe plus Brazil and Argentina), Japan is actually one of the best teams in the world and who knows—(with a little bit of luck) maybe they can win the WC. :)

“Maybe they can win the WC”

history is not on their side.

“Maybe they can win the WC”

history is not on their side

Only 8 teams have won it.

It’s going to be tough for a country outside Europe or South America to win it.

I still think it will be an African team to be the first outside Europe and South America to win it, but I’d be surprised if that happened in the next 20 years. Hope I’m surprised though.

Still think we’ll see one of the great football countries in Europe like the Netherlands or Portugal to be the 9th country to win it before then.

Worth saying that Japan entertained many outside Japan in the last few World Cups - they’ve been in some cracking games.

June 12  09:09 pm JST “ history is not on their side. “

I know, I know; … just trying to be optimistic. Lmao.