Japan 0-3 Germany - FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, Semi-Final (4th September 2012)

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by 2xehxtxemyk65 on September 2, 2012 at 14:27

Germany probably favourites but let's hope Japan can get to the final. Go, Nadeshikoettes, go go go!

Permalink Reply by Women's Soccer United on September 2, 2012 at 14:29

Agree! :)

Lars Breimer said:

Germany probably favourites but let's hope Japan can get to the final. Go, Nadeshikoettes, go go go!

Permalink Reply by Ken Suzuki on September 3, 2012 at 10:41

Let me say this BEFORE the match because after it, and particularly if Japan won, it will only sound afterthought.

The playground of this match is hardly even. And Japan is the beneficiary.

1. The crowd, expected to be huge, will cheer for the home team, of course. (But, thankfully, the Japanese fans still lack the habit of booing opponent.)

2. August (though it’s already September) is the worst season to play soccer here. Summer in Japan is quite tropical, hot and humid, not unlike Texas of the United States. The Japanese are used to it. The Germans are not.

3. The 4 previous games of Japan were all played in evening while for Germany 3 were under sizzling sun. All the more reason for the latter’s advanced exhaustion.

4. Japan’s quarter-final was Thursday. Germany’s was Friday. Thus Japan had one more day to recover.

Permalink Reply by 2xehxtxemyk65 on September 3, 2012 at 11:20

When discussing Germany and soccer, it is always worth remembering the Wonder of Bern. Like the Americans, the Germans do not stop playing until the final wistle goes.

   Also, Gary Lineker made the rueful observation, that football is a game where 22 players kick a ball around for 90 minutes and then the Germans win on penalties.

Ken Suzuki said:

Let me say this BEFORE the match because after it, and particularly if Japan won, it will only sound afterthought.

The playground of this match is hardly even. And Japan is the beneficiary.

1. The crowd, expected to be huge, will cheer for the home team, of course. (But, thankfully, the Japanese fans still lack the habit of booing opponent.)

2. August (though it’s already September) is the worst season to play soccer here. Summer in Japan is quite tropical, hot and humid, not unlike Texas of the United States. The Japanese are used to it. The Germans are not.

3. The 4 previous games of Japan were all played in evening while for Germany 3 were under sizzling sun. All the more reason for the latter’s advanced exhaustion.

4. Japan’s quarter-final was Thursday. Germany’s was Friday. Thus Japan had one more day to recover.

Permalink Reply by Gromit on September 3, 2012 at 11:37

@Ken

Thank you Ken for those precisions. As for me, I'm not sure that Japan will have so much benefit from what you listed.

1. The support of the crowd is of course very important and can help a team to transcend itself. But it also puts much more stress and pressure. And the girls are very young. Some people here thought that GB will go through to the Olympics Finale because they played at home and were supported by huge crowds. I alerted that it could help but is never enough. Unfortunately for our British friends, we saw what happened. And it's not in German's mentality to be intimidate by playing away. Just look at their records (I'm talking here about Womens' Football) in WC and Euro.

2. Will the weather be so drastically different tomorrow than it was three days ago ? If the match was set in Nice, I could say "Oh yes !", Today is the school's first day and Autumn seems to have fallen upon us with rain and a loss of 7 degrees celsius in two days... But what about Tokyô ? Germany hasn't just arrived in Japan but will play its 5th match. The time to be accustomed to the weather.

3.I wouldn't put 10 cts Euro on a German exhaustion. The only time I saw a German' team really exhausted and losing (men) was at 1982 WC Final against Itay after a terrible SF. And the girls didn't have to draw from their energy so far, they won all their matches very easily.

4. One more day for resting could be important if the lap between two matches were two days short only. With three days, it's nothing.

So, as far as I am concerned, I think that Germany is more powerful than Japan. But the Young Nadeshiko are so talented, so skilled, that they are able to win. If they manage to have the same tactical discipline and solidarity than their elders, then they can do this great sporting achievement. Because beating Germany will be really something ! I hope they do and I won't hold back my support to the Young Nadeshiko ! ^_ ^

Permalink Reply by Lutendo Morris on September 3, 2012 at 21:39

It will be an up-hill for Japan to climb as the Germans are eager to reclaim the cup.Japan has a home/host advantage,and with the most of spectators behind them it will be a breath-taking match,and at the end ........tears & joy.

I'm with Germany in this one.

Permalink Reply by Gromit on September 3, 2012 at 22:27

Hikaru Naomoto shooting water at her team-mate Kumi Yokoyama

Permalink Reply by Gromit on September 3, 2012 at 22:43

From Fifa

PETZELBERGER, GERMAN'S MIDFIELD MAESTRO

The Japanese hosts’ warm hospitality, politeness and superb organisational skills at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2012 have been praised over and over again, but the degree to which the Japan players themselves embody those qualities was demonstrated by a chance meeting at the Tokyo hotel in which all four semi-finalists are staying.

"At midday today, we came into the lobby after a stroll and happened to meet a few of the Japanese players,” revealed Germany captain Ramona Petzelberger, speaking exclusively to FIFA.com in the very same place. “They greeted us is a really friendly way - in German. We had a bit of a chat, and I have to say it was a blast."

But by kick-off time at 19.30 on Tuesday 4 September, the new-found friendships will be put aside for a minimum of 90 minutes, because when the hosts meet the holders at Tokyo National Stadium, both are aiming at the same target - a place in the final.

“I'm really looking forward to the match, which is a clash between equals," Petzelberger declared. The likeable 19-year-old does not share a commonly-held opinion that the match would have been a more fitting final than a last-four encounter. “If you want to be world champions, you have to beat what’s put in front of you, regardless of when," she continued.

The Germans have been in sparkling form so far, winning all four of their matches with 12 goals scored and none conceded. Maren Meinert’s team set a new record in the quarter-finals, becoming the first to emerge victorious from 11 straight FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup games. “It's definitely been a good team performance so far, but I'm not completely satisfied with the matches against Ghana and USA. We can still improve, and the same goes for me personally. I could do better," the captain mused.

Petzelberger is as confident on the field as off it. An accomplished interpreter of the crucial holding midfield role, she dictates the pace of a match and pulls the strings for her team. On top of that, she is eloquent and comfortable in expressing her opinions. Even in the build-up to the tournament, she was tipped for greatness due to a rare combination of abilities, both disrupting an opponents’ play and imposing her own team's authority.

The Essen-born player, a U-17 and U-19 European champion in 2009 and 2011, has already made more than 60 Bundesliga appearances for Bad Neuenahr. She was named best player at the UEFA European U-19 Women's Championship in 2011, and has switched to big-name top-flight club Bayer Leverkusen for the new season, during which she will begin studying psychology in next-door Cologne. It is a subject which may prove helpful out on the field of play, as Petzelberger herself says.

The only major setback of her stellar career so far came two years ago, when she was forced to withdraw from the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup 2010 in Germany due to an ankle injury, sustained agonisingly enough during a kickabout at school. She was obliged to watch her team-mates’ triumph from afar. “I was gutted, because my biggest dream was to play at a World Cup," she acknowledged. “But I've made up for it now, and I'm even doing so as captain, which is terrific."

However, there is no doubt that the Germans face their biggest test so far on Tuesday. On the one hand, Japan are in equally impressive form, and on the other, the setting represents new territory for the junior Germans. Organisers expect a crowd in excess of 30,000, comfortably the highest for a single matchday at the tournament so far, but Petzelberger remains unfazed by the prospect.

“I'm really going to enjoy playing in front of so many people. And we've also found out that lots of Japanese fans like Germany a lot, so I think we'll have plenty of support," she said.

The Europeans certainly respect their opponents, but are in no sense overawed. “Japan are comfortable on the ball and pass well. We'll have to keep it tight, and pass our way forward at speed when we win possession," concluded Petzelberger. "We'll need to use our quality at set plays and on crosses, and then we'll have a good chance. If we adopt the right attitude and play to our potential, Japan will find it hard to beat us.”

Permalink Reply by Gromit on September 3, 2012 at 22:51

Well, it's my fourth attempt to post this text... On the former third ones, no text was showing...

From Fifa

NAOMOTO READY FOR GERMAN'S CHALLENGE

Japan’s progress to the semi-finals of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2012 has been in no small part thanks to the efforts of tireless defensive midfielder Hikaru Naomoto. The host nation face a daunting last-four encounter with Germany, but Naomoto is confident the Young Nadeshiko can defeat the reigning champions and book a spot in the final for the first time.

“Germany play with power and speed. If they get the upper hand, it could be a tough game for us, because we’ve got a lot of smaller players,” she told FIFA.com. “But if we can move the ball around and start taking control, I think we’re capable of beating them.”

Naomoto first began turning heads globally at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Trinidad & Tobago 2010. Although Japan lost to Korea Republic in the final, the lessons learned from that defeat have inspired Naomoto to improve herself as a player.

“I’m a better player now. I’m able to receive more passes from our defenders, and my own passing is more accurate. Compared to two years ago, I feel my basic skills have improved,” said Naomoto, who plays for Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies. “It was so frustrating to lose the U-17 final. I still can taste that disappointment. But I think I gained more from losing that game than I would’ve gained from winning it.”

Japan exacted some revenge for that loss by defeating Korea Republic in the quarter-finals here at Japan 2012. Nevertheless, that was not the main thing on Naomoto’s mind before the game. “I didn’t go out there thinking that our opponents were the South Koreans. I was just focused on winning the game so we could reach the last four,” she recalled.

But by her own high standards, Naomoto felt that Thursday’s 3-1 win was not one of her best performances. “They put us under a lot of pressure, so I’d only give myself five out of 10 for that game,” she said.

Naomoto is juggling her football career with her studies at the University of Tsukuba just north of Tokyo, while merely going to training involves a three-hour round trip. However, this level of commitment on and off the field should set her in good stead for achieving her dreams of playing for the national team and a club overseas.

Firmly established as an integral player in this Japanese U-20 team, Naomoto has played every minute of the hosts’ four games at this tournament. She also scored a spectacular long-range goal in the opening game against Mexico and netted from the penalty spot against Switzerland.

Her endless running and ability to launch attacks from deep, not to mention her knack for getting amongst the goals, should therefore ensure the German players keep a close eye on her on Tuesday evening at the National Stadium in Tokyo.

The holders thumped Norway 4-0 in their quarter-final, and have thus far struck 12 times without conceding a single goal. Even so, several Young Nadeshiko players have stated that – if they play their best football – they can defeat their European opponents, which would set up a final against Nigeria or USA.

When asked to sum up Japan 2012 so far, Naomoto’s answer was short and to the point: “I’m just having fun, playing my football.” Japanese fans will be hoping the fun lasts a little longer yet.

Permalink Reply by 2xehxtxemyk65 on September 4, 2012 at 6:06

I went on 3 German newspapers web-sites. Not a sausage about this match. Loads of soccer news from around Europe and the rest of the world.

     That countries who never were in the tournament or were already knocked out do not cover it, maybe is understandable, but one wonders how it had been if it were a men's U-20 (or U-21, I can't remember what the age-bands are for boys)?

     Are the semi-finals noted in France, Gromit?

Permalink Reply by Hiroshi Umezu on September 4, 2012 at 7:44

According to Sankei Sports, the following young Nadeshiko players are going to be in the starting lineup in today's match against Germany's women's national U-20 soccer team: 

GK: Sakiko Ikeda (#1: 19y/o: Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies)

DF: Shiori Kinoshita (#3: 20y/o: NTV Beleza), Haruka Hamada (#5: 19y/o: Speranza F.C. Osaka Takatsuki), Hikari Takagi (#17: 19y/o: Waseda University), Mayo Doko (#20: 16y/o: NTV Beleza)

MF: Nozomi Fujita (c) (#7: 20y/o: Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies), Hikaru Naomoto (#8: 18y/o: Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies), Yoko Tanaka (#9: 19y/o: INAC Kobe Leonessa), Mina Tanaka (#11: 18y/o: NTV Beleza), Hanae Shibata (#14: 20y/o: Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies) 

FW: Asuka Nishikawa (#18: 20y/o: F.C. Kibi International University)

There may be some room for correction in my report.

It looks like Japan's women's national U-20 soccer team, whose nickname is "the young Nadeshiko," has its best players on the team, tonight.

I will be unable to keep you updated on how everything goes here in Japan.

Anyway, I wish the young Nadeshiko the best of luck out there!

Permalink Reply by Women's Soccer United on September 4, 2012 at 8:17

Thanks Hiroshi :)

Hiroshi Umezu said:

According to Sankei Sports, the following young Nadeshiko players are going to be in the starting lineup in today's match against Germany's women's national U-20 soccer team: 

GK: Sakiko Ikeda (#1: 19y/o: Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies)

DF: Shiori Kinoshita (#3: 20y/o: NTV Beleza), Haruka Hamada (#5: 19y/o: Speranza F.C. Osaka Takatsuki), Hikari Takagi (#17: 19y/o: Waseda University), Mayo Doko (#20: 16y/o: NTV Beleza)

MF: Nozomi Fujita (c) (#7: 20y/o: Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies), Hikaru Naomoto (#8: 18y/o: Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies), Yoko Tanaka (#9: 19y/o: INAC Kobe Leonessa), Mina Tanaka (#11: 18y/o: NTV Beleza), Hanae Shibata (#14: 20y/o: Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies) 

FW: Asuka Nishikawa (#18: 20y/o: F.C. Kibi International University)

There may be some room for correction in my report.

It looks like Japan's women's national U-20 soccer team, whose nickname is "the young Nadeshiko," has its best players on the team, tonight.

I will be unable to keep you updated on how everything goes here in Japan.

Anyway, I wish the young Nadeshiko the best of luck out there!

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