
<p>Japan’s national team navigated a mediocre group in 2018 (Colombia, Senegal, and Poland) to earn four points and a trip to the knockout rounds. </p>



<p>How will they fare at <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">World Cup 2022</a>?</p>



<p>Even with a better squad – their FIFA ranking has improved from 50 to 24 in four years – the draw provides a much tougher task.</p>



<p>The draw was not as kind, this year the <a href="https:\/\/www.jfa.jp/eng/samuraiblue/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Samurai Blue</a> face <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/news/germany-reveals-full-world-cup-roster-20221110-WST-407594.html">Germany,</a> Spain and Costa Rica. &nbsp;</p>



<h5>Japan’s Style of Play</h5>



<p>Japan wants to attack as often as the can. They will pressure the defense and try to create chances from turnovers. </p>



<p>They can string passes together in a slow buildup, and they can beat teams with pace on the wings as well. Their ability to capitalize on errors can be seen in this goal against the United States in the summer friendly:</p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Japan scores the goal that had been coming, with VAR review confirming Daichi Kamada’s go-ahead strike. 1-0! <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/hashtag/USMNT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USMNT</a>  <br><br>(via <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/TUDNUSA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TUDNUSA</a>) <a href="https:\/\/t.co/uFaHCi6T9Z">pic.twitter.com/uFaHCi6T9Z</a></p>— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/si_soccer/status/1573295178231816194?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>There are two questions they must answer if they are to have success in Qatar: 1) can they defend well enough; and 2) can they change their style to a more defensive and counter-attacking posture?</p>



<p>In 2018, they went ahead of favored Belgium 2-0, but they could not hold the lead and fell to a Nacer Chadli stoppage-time goal.</p>



<h5>Japan World Cup 2022 Squad</h5>



<p>The squad (4-2-3-1):</p>



<p>Shuichi Gonda looks to be the starter in goal. Gonda plays for Shimizu in the J-League, and the 33-year-old has earned 34 caps. &nbsp;Elder statesman Eiki Kawashima (95 caps) and Daniel Schmidt are the other choices.</p>



<p>Though Kawashima was awarded the number one shirt, he has not played for his club team, Strasbourg, all season. Schmidt is playing in Europe as well, for Belgium’s Sint Truiden. </p>



<p>Japan’s attacking style can leave them short in the back when they turn it over, so Gonda will have to be sharp to keep them in the group.</p>



<p>The center of defense is expected to be anchored by Arsenal’s Tokehiro Tomiyasu and team captain Maya Yoshida. </p>



<p>Those two did not get into Thursday’s friendly against Canada; The Blue went with Hiroki Ito and Hiroki Sakai at fullback and Shogo Taniguchi and Kou Itakura in central defense. When Japan is clicking the fullbacks get as far forward as they can.</p>



<p> The Canada game showed that set plays can be a problem, as they were scored upon directly from a corner kick.</p>



<p>Midfielder Takumi Minamino is the biggest name on the club, having played for Liverpool before moving to his current club Monaco. He has full reign over the center of the park, and the lack of a star forward means the Blue will depend on his creativity.</p>



<p> The two players behind Minamino are good passers though they can get caught in possession. Leganes’ Gaku Shibasaki assisted on the lone goal for Japan against Canada with this terrific through ball. </p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">GOAL 🇯🇵<br><br>Yuki Soma gives Japan an early lead over the <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/hashtag/CanMNT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CanMNT</a>, catching Milan Borjan with a great clipped shot in the 8th minute<br><br>🔴 <a href="https:\/\/t.co/7JFAUhxUCE">https:\/\/t.co/7JFAUhxUCE</a> <a href="https:\/\/t.co/uDh9yw88C1">pic.twitter.com/uDh9yw88C1</a></p>— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/onesoccer/status/1593241291353075723?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Most of the wide players are playing in Europe’s top leagues except for today’s scorer, Yuki Soma, who plays in the J-League. One of these, Kaoru Mitoma, has broken into Brighton’s starting XI this season.</p>



<p>Who plays up front is a huge question mark. The top choices are Bochum’s Takuma Asano, Cercle Brugge’s Ayase Ueda and Celtic’s Daizen Maeda. These three only have 8 international goals between them, and they are going to have to find goals if they want to compete in this tough group.</p>



<p>Japan’s style of play can overload lesser squads; they recorded wins of 14-0 against Mongolia and 10-0 against Myanmar. </p>



<p>But they could not hold a lead against Belgium four years ago, or this week against Canada. They will not be afraid of Spain or Germany, but it is hard to see how the Samurai Blue will make it out of the group.</p>



<p><em>Photo credit: IMAGO / AFLOSPORT</em></p>



<div style="background:#f9e4ea;padding:10px;">
<h3>Guide to World Cup 2022</h3>
<div style="padding:10px;">
Here are some resources to help you get the most out of the biggest event in soccer!
</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/"><strong>TV Schedule:</strong></a> All the info on <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/">where and when to watch</a> every game
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/04/analysis-of-world-cup-groups/"><strong>The Groups:</strong></a> We <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/04/analysis-of-world-cup-groups/">breakdown each group</a> and all the teams
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-jerseys-for-qatar-2022/"><strong>The Kits:</strong></a> Check out <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-jerseys-for-qatar-2022/">what every team will be wearing</a> on the field this fall
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/predictor/"><strong>Predictor:</strong></a> Play out every scenario with our <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/predictor/">World Cup Predictor</a>
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/05/world-cup-bracket-free-download/"><strong>World Cup Bracket:</strong></a> Map out the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/05/world-cup-bracket-free-download/">entire tournament</a>, from the groups to the final
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/"><strong>World Cup Hub:</strong></a> Your one stop for <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">everything Qatar 2022</a>
</div>
</div>


A look at Japan's chances at World Cup 2022 as they try and escape a group featuring Germany, Spain and Costa Rica.

Japan World Cup 2022 preview - World Soccer Talk

Japan World Cup 2022 preview


<p>Newcastle United have played 13 matches this season, and have only lost once – a record matched only by Arsenal and Manchester City. After defeating Aston Villa 4-0 on Saturday, they currently sit fourth in the Premier League. If they end in the top four, they would play Champions League football for the first time in 19 years. </p>



<p>It would be easy to say that the club’s resurgence is due to the new owners going on a spending spree, but they only brought in three players this offseason. Those are goalkeeper Nick Pope, defender Sven Botman, and forward <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/08/26/newcastle-seal-club-record-swoop-for-sweden-striker-isak/">Alexander Isak</a>. And one of those, Isak, has hardly been available. What has changed is manager Eddie Howe has the personnel he wants, and he has them playing a style of football that is exciting yet sound defensively. The reason for this is a philosophy akin to total football, as almost every player has offensive and defensive responsibilities.</p>



<h2>Revealed: Secret behind Newcastle’s success</h2>



<p>At the back, Howe has been playing a back four of Dan Burn, Sven Botman, Fabian Schar, and Kieran Trippier. Burn isn’t a true left back, but Howe’s system gives him enough cover that he is not left on an island with a winger too often. </p>



<p>Botman has been an anchor in central defense, and while his style isn’t flashy, he is the one player who does not really get forward. </p>



<p>Schar has been very good defensively, and often will bring the ball forward, even deep into enemy territory. </p>



<p>Trippier is quick enough that he can constantly come forward to cross the ball into the box, yet never seems to be caught out of position. </p>



<p>Playing these four makes set pieces very difficult for the opposition, as United always have a height advantage in the box, especially with 6’7″ Burn being the tallest player in the league. With Trippier’s free kick ability and Schar’s ability to score from distance (his goal against Nottingham Forest from outside the box was a carbon copy of his goal of the month versus Burnley last December), any opposing manager has to consider any of the back four as a potential goal scoring threat.</p>



<h2>Newcastle’s midfield maestros</h2>



<p>In midfield, the key has been the two Brazilians, Joelinton and <a href="https:\/\/www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nx_fUkrANQ" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bruno Guimaraes</a>. It’s well-known that Joelinton was brought in as the record-setting transfer who struggled as a striker. But what Howe has done is allow Joelinton to do the things he does best – control the ball, out-work the opponent to create turnovers, and make his presence felt from box to box. </p>



<p>Guimaraes has been even better. The offense often runs through him. as his range of passing can get the club out of danger, start an attack or completely unlock a defense. Guimaraes has said he prefers to play farther forward, but Howe has him playing everywhere. The third man in midfield has been a rotation of Longstaff and Willock, and their role has been supportive, with no real defined position. As with the defenders, the players’ abilities, especially Guimaraes’, make Newcastle a threat going forward without sacrificing defensive cover.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">MY WORD MIGGY&apos;S 7TH OF THE SEASON IS A STUNNER! 😍<br><br>📺: <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/peacock?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@peacock</a> <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/hashtag/MyPLMorning?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MyPLMorning</a> | <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/hashtag/NEWAVL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NEWAVL</a> <a href="https:\/\/t.co/HFDIrnsUt0">pic.twitter.com/HFDIrnsUt0</a></p>— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/NBCSportsSoccer/status/1586381509539336200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Up front, the two wide players are constantly tracking back to help the fullbacks. Miguel Almiron can often be seen overlapping with Trippier deep in Newcastle territory, and the pace of Jacob Murphy or Willock allows them to assist Burn on the left.&nbsp;Even Allan Saint-Maximin has bought into the system and helps track back –&nbsp;which previous French flair wingers Ben Arfa and Robert refused to do. Central forward Callum Wilson does not have many defensive responsibilities, but he can&nbsp;occasionally be found at the edge of his own box in a dangerous situation.</p>



<p>All this makes Newcastle extremely difficult to play, something that Spurs forward&nbsp;Son Heung-min&nbsp;noted after Newcastle’s 2-1 victory last Sunday. </p>



<p>If you forget about the defenders, Schar will bring the ball up through the center a la David Luiz.&nbsp;The midfielders are so competent defensively, and the wingers have enough pace, that Newcastle can use the high press without fear of being too short at the back. </p>



<p>The&nbsp;speed&nbsp;and talent of the wingers also means that their opponents cannot go full out on attack&nbsp;without&nbsp;the fear of being hit on the counter-attack. Because of this they are able to gain a numerical advantage&nbsp;anywhere on the pitch, which has them creating the most thigh turnovers per game in the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> this season. </p>



<p>Since&nbsp;Jack Grealish’s disrespect of Almiron, the Paraguayan has turned his game into peak Mahrez, creating havoc whenever he is allowed to come inside from the right wing. </p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Miguel Almiron face of Eddie Howe&apos;s Newcastle renaissance | The Kelly &amp; Wrighty Show | NBC Sports" width="500" height="281" src="https:\/\/www.youtube.com/embed/n1XC0kqu6Dk?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>They have been doing this without one of their most talented players, Saint-Maximin, or their new record signing Isak. And even with all the attacking and pressing they do, they have the best defensive record in the league – only 10 goals allowed in 13 matches – without the&nbsp;dominance&nbsp;of possession enjoyed by Manchester City or Arsenal. </p>



<p>Are they title contenders? Probably not. But they just completed a week where they faced both Manchester United and Spurs on the road, and came away with four points, so there is no reason to think that they can’t find themselves in Europe in 2023 for the first time in a decade.</p>


We reveal the secret behind Newcastle's success under Eddie Howe in the English Premier League. The sky is the limit for the Toon.

Secret behind Newcastle's success as good times return - World Soccer Talk

Secret behind Newcastle's success as good times return

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Japan

Japan World Cup 2022 preview

Leagues: EPL

Secret behind Newcastle's success as good times return