{"id":3792,"date":"2023-07-31T19:23:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-31T09:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/?p=3792"},"modified":"2026-09-25T14:46:56","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T05:16:56","slug":"ruthless-japan-show-a-new-side-in-spain-slaughter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/ruthless-japan-show-a-new-side-in-spain-slaughter\/","title":{"rendered":"Ruthless Japan show a new side in Spain slaughter"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"240\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/SMC-TAG-1.png?resize=1024%2C240&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3629\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/SMC-TAG-1.png?resize=1024%2C240&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/SMC-TAG-1.png?resize=300%2C70&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/SMC-TAG-1.png?resize=768%2C180&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/SMC-TAG-1.png?resize=1536%2C360&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/SMC-TAG-1.png?resize=2048%2C480&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/SMC-TAG-1.png?w=2580&amp;ssl=1 2580w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theasiangame.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/SMC-TAG-1.png?w=3870&amp;ssl=1 3870w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"futoshi-ikeda-has-run-counter-to-the-traditional-principals-of-nadeshiko-football-and-executed-a-pragmatic-game-plan-that-serves-as-a-fine-example-of-how-a-team-can-control-a-game-of-football-without-controlling-the-ball\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Futoshi Ikeda has run counter to the traditional principals of <em>Nadeshiko<\/em> football and executed a pragmatic game plan that serves as a fine example of how a team can control a game of football without controlling the ball.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Japan beat an elite Spanish side in an astounding 4-0 victory to finish top of Group C and set up a Round of 16 fixture with fellow former champions Norway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perhaps more than the impressive scoreline, it was the tactical approach taken by the <em>Nadeshiko<\/em> that is<br>likely to receive the most attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Japan are renowned for their possession-based style that cherishes intricate passing and harmonised movements. However, with Spain arguably boasting more technical quality, a fresh perspective seemed to be in order here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The night before the match Ikeda was quizzed by Spanish journalists on his game plan and what approach the Iberians can expect from his side. The former Urawa Reds man offered an unequivocal description of his intentions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe will be compact against Spain&#8217;s aggressive build-up play. We will aim to win the ball back through a<br>systematic approach, as well as regaining possession via one-on-one encounters,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although progression to the Round of 16 was already secured, little squad rotation was afforded by either side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Speedy striker Riko Ueki came in for Mina Tanaka, while defensive midfielder Honoka Hayashi<br>replaced playmaker Yui Hasegawa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"FIFA Women&amp;apos;s World Cup 2023 - TAG x WWC Podcast: Australia &amp; Japan win big + Singapore&amp;apos;s Danelle Tan\" width=\"1290\" height=\"726\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qjonNzaG43M?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Spain it was Real Madrid defender Oihane Hernandez and forward Esther Gonzalez who started this<br>one on the bench.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Japan\u2019s game plan was clear from the get go; they would settle into a low block with five at the back<br>when out of possession and seemed content in letting Spain dictate the pace of play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whilst this was a style unlike any seen before from the <em>Nadeshiko<\/em>, the organisation and cohesion in their defensive structure and efforts when regaining possession were highly organised and had clearly been worked on in training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In transition the Japanese were clinical and methodical to a tee. This was realised early on when Jun<br>Endo sent a crisp ball from the flank around the back of the high Spanish line for Hinata Miyazawa to<br>latch onto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Mynavi Sendai forward had her pursuers beaten for pace as she bore down on goal before firing past Spanish keeper Misa Rodriguez to give Japan the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Proceedings would continue along similar lines until Miyazawa would once again find a way through on<br>goal before setting up Tokyo Verdy Beleza forward Ueki who\u2019s shot would take a deflection off defender<br>Irene Parades with the ball looping over the keeper to double Japan\u2019s lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">D\u00e9j\u00e0 vu struck again in the 40th minute as Ueki threaded a sublime through-ball for Miyazawa to latch<br>onto and make it three. Ikeda\u2019s game plan was seemingly working to perfection and there was a strong<br>indication that a landslide result was on the cards at this point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Halftime came with Japan comfortably in control of the contest without controlling possession. Spain<br>were well and truly locked out of the danger zone and at a loss as to how they might find a way back into this game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"embed-x\"><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">1\ufe0f\u20e31\ufe0f\u20e3 Goals scored. <br>0\ufe0f\u20e3 Goals conceded.<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/jfa_nadeshiko?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@JFA_Nadeshiko<\/a> with a perfect <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/FIFAWWC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#FIFAWWC<\/a> Group Stage performance! \ud83c\uddef\ud83c\uddf5\ud83d\udc4f <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/02cBSQ5LCa\">pic.twitter.com\/02cBSQ5LCa<\/a><\/p>&mdash; FIFA Women&#39;s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/FIFAWWC\/status\/1685944792830935040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 31, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ikeda would later go on to say that he felt the backline sat too deep for his liking in the first half. Coming<br>out of the traps for the second half Japan would step up slightly but the game would play out in a similar<br>fashion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Spain came out with a little more bite and came close with an Ona Battle effort just skimming wide of<br>the mark. Head coach Jorge Vilda was likely to have had strong words with his side as the scoreline at<br>the interval might warrant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The introduction of Miyabi Moriya for Risa Shimizu at right back saw Japan play a little more into the<br>flanks with the creative wing-play that proved successful in the previous two games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the game headed into the latter stages Spain struggled to make any progress of note and were forced into last ditch efforts such as a a long range shot from Teresa Abelleira that sailed harmlessly over the bar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fluid counter-attacks would still come from Japan and the game was wrapped up for all intents and purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Substitute Mina Tanaka claimed Japan\u2019s fourth when she received a thrown in from Moriya to feet<br>and found herself in acres of space with freedom to advance on the Spanish penalty area. She produced<br>a sublime left footed finish to end all doubt of a comfortable Japan victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The final whistle went with the Japanese rejoicing in a thoroughly deserved win that will surely go into<br>the annals of Nadeshiko history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<a id='XHNtAIBDQghIHX3wnS8fRw' class='gie-single' href='https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1582453336' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;'>Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'XHNtAIBDQghIHX3wnS8fRw',sig:'zDNVHPZSUB0nveLV5Rzs1ASkTuiAU5oClvv6eEE7fBQ=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1582453336',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They had executed their game plan to perfection and had made a strong statement concerning their tactical versatility. There will surely be some detractors to the defensive approach taken by Ikeda, but it is important to remember that counter-attacking football has never been in Japan\u2019s nature and they have shown the world that they are able to take either a progressive or pragmatic approach to a frightening degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To play devil\u2019s advocate one might consider the fact that Japan are yet to come up against a competent<br>defensive structure at this tournament. Should a team take a similar approach as they did against Spain<br>there is no telling how this young side might react if they are to go deep into a match without scoring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"what-we-learned\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">WHAT WE LEARNED<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Defending without physicality:<\/strong> Japan\u2019s signature possession game is believed to be borne out of necessity given the perceived physical disadvantage they, along with other Asian nations, often face at international competitions. This contest, however, dispels the myth that Japan are a one-system team, unable to frustrate teams with a pragmatic defensive approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of course, the game plan was not reliant on physicality as Japan would avoid one-on-one encounters whenever possible. Indeed it was organised movements and positional discipline that allowed the <em>Nadeshiko<\/em> to restrict the space in the final third and close in on the ball carrier. This performance may well serve as a tactical blueprint for an alternative system moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<a id='36iycD7fTst93n__HJeJjw' class='gie-single' href='https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1586297461' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;'>Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'36iycD7fTst93n__HJeJjw',sig:'e0Nai0t_2lIBW4_UO-lGGVZ4lhhxfxM7gxC9sSrmNJk=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1586297461',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Composure at last?:<\/strong> Applying the finishing touch often proves to be the only crucial attribute lacking for Japan at major tournaments. With 11 goals scored the 2011 champions seem to have alleviated this tendency and look much more relaxed in front of goal. All of the forwards to have started in the front three and all have found the net, with Hinata Miyazawa leading the golden boot race on four goals as it stands. No doubt the confidence is brimming within the forward ranks as a result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"what-they-said\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">WHAT THEY SAID<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Hinata Miyazawa<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI was happy to be the one to score two goals but it was a team effort. A result of the defence doing its<br>job and providing me with the right pass at the right time is what enabled me to put the ball in the net.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Futoshi Ikeda<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIn our first two games we had more time and space to work with the ball. Against Spain we knew we<br>would spend more time defending so playing on the counter seemed the better approach. We were<br>effective in our sequences of play in transition and I am happy we executed the game plan well.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<a id='9WY7QMU-Q_pJTWqNkPcw6w' class='gie-single' href='https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1582498930' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;'>Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'9WY7QMU-Q_pJTWqNkPcw6w',sig:'wFdUaE8EhBNbr2RkKuTyIBnSYDjatVpN2h62TAEGXNA=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1582498930',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Jorge Vilda (Spain coach)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThey closed every bit of space we had. They got to every ball before us and we saw a very powerful block in front of us tonight.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"what-comes-next\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">WHAT COMES NEXT<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As winners of Group C Japan will next face Norway in the Round of 16. The game will again be held at Wellington Regional Stadium on Saturday 5 August at 20:00 local time as Japan look to progress beyond the Round of 16 for the first time since 2015.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Listen to <strong>The Asian Game Podcast<\/strong> LIVE from the FIFA Women&#8217;s World Cup 2023<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Embed Player\" style=\"border:none\" src=\"https:\/\/play.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/27614031\/height\/128\/theme\/modern\/size\/standard\/thumbnail\/yes\/custom-color\/65cec1\/time-start\/00:00:00\/playlist-height\/200\/direction\/backward\/download\/yes\" height=\"128\" width=\"100%\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"\" webkitallowfullscreen=\"true\" mozallowfullscreen=\"true\" oallowfullscreen=\"true\" msallowfullscreen=\"true\"><\/iframe>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Futoshi Ikeda has run counter to the traditional principals of Nadeshiko football and executed a pragmatic game plan that serves as a fine example of how a team can control a game of football without controlling the ball. Japan beat an elite Spanish side in an astounding 4-0 victory to finish top of Group C [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":3794,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_gspb_post_css":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[45],"tags":[214,15,302,212],"class_list":["post-3792","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-analysis","tag-fifa-womens-world-cup","tag-japan","tag-nadeshiko","tag-womens-football"],"blocksy_meta":{"styles_descriptor":{"styles":{"desktop":"","tablet":"","mobile":""},"google_fonts":[],"version":8}},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Ruthless Japan show a new side in Spain slaughter - The Asian Game<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/ruthless-japan-show-a-new-side-in-spain-slaughter\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"ro_RO\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Ruthless Japan show a new side in Spain slaughter - The Asian Game\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Futoshi Ikeda has run counter to the traditional principals of Nadeshiko football and executed a pragmatic game plan that serves as a fine example of how a team can control a game of football without controlling the ball. 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