When looking at the Japanese roster the first thing that comes to mind is: This is a very veteran-heavy roster. No players under the age of 22, just two are 23, and nine are over the age of 30. What this says is that head coach Akira Nishino and the Japanese Football Association are going all in, They believe that the time is now for Japan.
The other interesting thing that one notices when looking at this Japanese roster is the number of players playing in the Bundesliga. Seven of the 23 man roster play in the German first division second only to their domestic players (eight). The German influence on Japanese soccer is unmistakable with their preference to build from the defense and use of little, innocuous passes as a means of catching opponents napping.
In my eyes players to keep an eye on fall tend into one of three categories:
1.) Players that play a critical position for the side and will determine either if they advance beyond the group stage (for the minnows,) if they are a dark horse to win the World Cup (‘The England Zone’) or if they can win the World Cup (those top six sides who pundits have bored us to with).
2.) Players that are about to get paid a truck ton of money.
3.) Players who are looking to make a name for themselves.
So who are the three players that fit these categories for Japan? Read on!
Shinji Okazaki (Forward, 32, Leicester City)
Japan can defend. Everyone knows that. But in order to advance out of Group H they are going to need to score some goals. Okazaki is by far their most experienced striker and having won a Premier League trophy with Leicester he is also their most accomplished. With The Foxes he acts as a number two or three option behind Jaime Vardy or Riyad Mahrez which may account for his troubles as being the target man for Japan. He has 50 goals for The Samurai Blue but has just one goal in two years for the national team. Yushinori Muto of Mainz 05 will get some looks but Nishino favors veterans so Okazaki will likely get the nod.
Makoto Hasebe (Midfielder, 34, Eintracht Frankfurt)
The captain of Japan on the pitch and their workhorse for the past decade Hasebe is coming off kind of a mixed season with Eintracht Frankfurt. He only made 8 appearances for The Eagles due to a knee injury and also in part to receiving a four match (later reduced to three) match ban for a violent challenge in April. With all of the turmoil going on off of the pitch, Japan’s supporters need Hasebe to be on the pitch in Russia. At 34 this is his last World Cup and it is Japan’s best chance to get into the Round of 16.
Gen Shoji (Defender, 25, Kashima Antlers)
As previously mentioned, there aren’t that many players that in Japan’s roster that fit under the ‘players that are looking to make a name for themselves’ roof. Shoji is one of the few. A two-time J-League Best XI defender Shoji has made a name for himself with Kashima Antlers for his excellent tracking and marking skills. Those who watched the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup might remember Kashima for taking Real Madrid to extra time. It was in large part due to Shoji who kept one of the best attacking sides at bay for close to two hours. Whether it is as a starter or a substitute Shoji will get time at this World Cup and will hope that European suitors are watching.
Chicago Fire
2018 World Cup
