Japan v Italy

[Lighthouse]

Not sure how many people caught the game last night on BBC. But is was the best game I have watched in some time. End to end, with twists and turns and near misses. After a season of careful and often dull play in the Prem it was a joy to watch.

[Zu-Meister]

the way japan kept the ball was brilliant to watch

[Airfix]

Absolutely cracking game!  I really thought that Japan would win it. The double miss, in particular, was heart-stopping.

[Markffc123]

and i hear bbc pundits mentioning that Japan Player HONDA is a free agent...cheeky bid?

[Whiteroom]

One of the best games I think I have ever watched. Really amazing.

[Airfix]

and i hear bbc pundits mentioning that Japan Player HONDA is a free agent...cheeky bid?

He's certainly got an engine on him, hasn't he?

fp.gif :Get Coat gif:

[Frankie-Peter Taylor]

Best game I've watched in 2013, possibly the 12/13 season as well. I believe the full game will go onto the BBC iPlayer. Outstanding game of football, though Pirlo wasn't near as impressive as he can be.

[Matt Inglis]

An interesting game to say the least.. a few too many poor decisions from the ref for my liking.

[IranianCottager]

Japan played incredibly, so unlucky in the end. They are by far the best Asian team and make Asia proud.

[Burt]

and i hear bbc pundits mentioning that Japan Player HONDA is a free agent...cheeky bid?

He's certainly got an engine on him, hasn't he?

fp.gif :Get Coat gif:

He is wheelie good, apparently.

:Get Coat gif:

[Airfix]

and i hear bbc pundits mentioning that Japan Player HONDA is a free agent...cheeky bid?

He's certainly got an engine on him, hasn't he?

fp.gif :Get Coat gif:

He is wheelie good, apparently.

:Get Coat gif:

I like the way that he drives into the box.

:58:

[Burt]

and i hear bbc pundits mentioning that Japan Player HONDA is a free agent...cheeky bid?

He's certainly got an engine on him, hasn't he?

fp.gif :Get Coat gif:

He is wheelie good, apparently.

:Get Coat gif:

I like the way that he drives into the box.

:58:

Baffles me as to why we don't make a bid.

:022:

[Airfix]

and i hear bbc pundits mentioning that Japan Player HONDA is a free agent...cheeky bid?

He's certainly got an engine on him, hasn't he?

fp.gif :Get Coat gif:

He is wheelie good, apparently.

:Get Coat gif:

I like the way that he drives into the box.

:58:

Baffles me as to why we don't make a bid.

:022:

Probably already exhausted our funds.

063.gif

[valdeingruo]

and i hear bbc pundits mentioning that Japan Player HONDA is a free agent...cheeky bid?

He's certainly got an engine on him, hasn't he?

fp.gif :Get Coat gif:

He is wheelie good, apparently.

:Get Coat gif:

I like the way that he drives into the box.

:58:

Baffles me as to why we don't make a bid.

:022:

Probably already exhausted our funds.

063.gif

id be honked if that were the case....

[Burt]

and i hear bbc pundits mentioning that Japan Player HONDA is a free agent...cheeky bid?

He's certainly got an engine on him, hasn't he?

fp.gif :Get Coat gif:

He is wheelie good, apparently.

:Get Coat gif:

I like the way that he drives into the box.

:58:

Baffles me as to why we don't make a bid.

:022:

Probably already exhausted our funds.

063.gif

I've moped around looking for a good rejoinder, but my spark plugs aren't firing...

(Two in one there...!)

:drums:

[valdeingruo]

and i hear bbc pundits mentioning that Japan Player HONDA is a free agent...cheeky bid?

He's certainly got an engine on him, hasn't he?

fp.gif :Get Coat gif:

He is wheelie good, apparently.

:Get Coat gif:

I like the way that he drives into the box.

:58:

Baffles me as to why we don't make a bid.

:022:

Probably already exhausted our funds.

063.gif

I've moped around looking for a good rejoinder, but my spark plugs aren't firing...

(Two in one there...!)

:drums:
[/quo


They may have to examine under your hood after a pun like that...

[FFCSteve]

Japan were truly outstanding! Found myself cheering them on for the sheer determination & skill they showed!
Now, how many of the team can we buy?  :021:

[H3Matt]

I really enjoyed what I saw of the game, though turned it off at like 70 minutes as it was late enough for me. I'd love Fulham to buy Honda Keisuke, or any decent Japanese player. I'm really into Japan and wouldn't mind having a Japanese name on my Fulham shirt.

[valdeingruo]

Japan were truly outstanding! Found myself cheering them on for the sheer determination & skill they showed!
Now, how many of the team can we buy?  :021:

Well Kawashima plays for Standard Liege so thats a plausible one but Fulham have many good goalkeepers already.
Nagimoto plays regularly for Inter so No go
Uchida plays for Schalke quite reg and one Reither has been supposedly been sought to be his cover, so no
Konno is a midfielder who plays for Gamba Osaka and his age and price range fits our budget so its plausible.
Yoshida already plays in the League with Southhampton so that is a no.
Honda is a creative midfielder, now on a free with his pick of clubs so plausible.
Endo, 33 is also a footballer for Osaka Prime Fulham age (kidding but true) Its a no
Kiyotake plays for Nuremburg as an attacking mid, seems to be decent and looks to be a Fulham type target in the sense he plays in Germany and isnt well known, Plausible.
Okazaki also plays for Stugart regularly enough and seems to be a similar style signing as Kiyotake, so Plausible.
Hasabe, another player groomed in Germany 29 and plays regularly for Wolfsburg, was a team mate of Reither  plausible
Kagawa, no brainer plays for United. Nope
Hosogai a sub  plays in Germany (sound familiar) 27 and another plausible target.
Inui, notice a trend? Plays with E Frankfurt 20 games 6 goals as a midfilder/winger maybe
Maeda, plays in Japan with Jubilio Iwata, 31 i would say no.


So of that squad we could plausibly sign 6-7 of those players in postitions we need for a decent amount. Ive followed the Japan team for awhile out of curiosity. When i was in Africa somehow the Japanese national team was playing or matches from their league or Germany was on so i decided i would atleast see how they were doing from then on.

[God The Mechanic]

What's with German clubs buying Japanese players?  There seems to be a pretty strong link, but I'm really not sure why.  Large Japanese population over there?