http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/men-a-youth/afc-asian-cupThe more I see of japan's football, both men and women, the more I see them becoming the next world superpower in football. The women are in the world cup final vs World Champions USA and it will not be a USA walkover by a long shot.
But what is it that makes Japan, the Asian champs, so attractive as a world power option ? Well it is the Guadiola model they are so expertly suited and which is now being adopted by many of the top teams in world football.
What exactly is it ? Argentina's coach is trying to get his talent rich team to master it , Sir Alex has already described it as the way forward and is looking to get players who can play like that, Spain with no ch0ice but to play like that as the majority of the team has been schooled in it.
It has certainly brought world success to Barcelona and Spain and any forward thinking coach will see it as superior to anything out there at present.
So enter Japan . A country with players of the right size, speed, strength, ability and endurance. The japanese work ethic is legendary. The former model saw their players outmuscled, out jumped and out skilled by opponents but ever since japan took to the game seriously they have tried to get their technical competence upgraded.
Few saw the selection of Zico as national coach as a world threatening step but the brazilian brought a tecnical skill level to the local game such that they matched any team in this regard even though they were not quite up to the top level.
Their tactical awareness has improved and today they can match the world's best as Argentina recently discovered.
It was no surprise when they received an invitation to play in the Copa America, after winning the Asian Cup as shown above , which they would have done but for the Tsunami.
Japan has recovered from an atomic bomb to become a world economic power. It would take something of that nature to set their football back (they had better steer clear of a certain ex FIFA official who might be available to advise ?) ...and he has boasted of Tsunami capabilities ..
Japanese players are quick, agile and team oriented, the latter proving a bugbear to most teams with talented players, and this is the secret to Barecelona's success. That is why Ibra could not fit in though a good player, and Eto'o had to go , though a great player.
This is what goal.com had to say after japan shocked argentina last year :
By Daniel Edwards
* Argentina
* Japan
Sergio Batista suffered his first defeat in charge of the senior Argentina side on Friday afternoon, as Shinji Okazaki's first half strike was enough to hand Japan a famous victory over a lucklustre 'Albiceleste' outfit. The win marks a successful start with the Samurai for Alberto Zaccheroni, who sat on the bench for the first time with his new charges.
'El Checho's' side toiled against a team which combined unlimited enthusiasm, fitness and self-sacrifice with no little talent, and with a decision expected next month on who will take over the coaching job permanently it was an unwelcome setback for the trainer.
Note the description of their outstanding qualities ... enthusiaam, fitness and self sacrifice ...
Anyone still in doubt ?