Comments on: Kennedy to stand tall in J-League competition

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:34:53 +0000

Yes, I’ve stolen Towsers view on the asian soceroos and made I my own. That is a big plus.

I think it will be pretty tough for Kennedy at first, replacing the tems top scores so II hope he snags a goal in the first game or two to take the pressure of. I’m confident he wil end up a sucess though

By: Redb

Redb — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 03:54:04 +0000

Due to a family connection I’m big fan of Josh Kennedy. Knock ‘em dead kid.

Redb

By: ish

ish — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 03:20:56 +0000

i think alot of how kennedy does will be in how his team will play. Many japanese teams as stated have the strength in midfield. They are very technical and good passers of the ball. They dont really have any gerrard like shooters from midfield though. I
If kennedy is used solely as an aerial threat he will probably look better then he is, but that would entail the team playing a very wide game with lots of crosses.
Most japanese teams i have seen prefer to have the link up play going on, the striker is there to score goals but also bring in the midfield into the play. If kennedy is used as a link man he will need to improve his ball control and passing. Its a good move, the j-league is pretty strong, they have some great players in midfield who like to get the ball down and play it, something kenedy at his time with a relegation threated karlruhe is probably not used to.

By: Midfielder

Midfielder — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:07:52 +0000

Tow

Excellent obversation

By: Towser

Towser — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:16:03 +0000

Another angle to players returning to play in our time zone. Preferably A-League but JKC(chicken leg anyone) league may also be beneficial in relation to having quality players available for in particular Asian Cup qualifiers. We now have kennedy,North,Milligan,Griffiths(Joel) in those leagues + Culina Porter Moore Sterjovski Burns in our League. Suddenly an Asian Socceroo team looks better than against Kuwait in Canberra.

By: Davidde Corran

Davidde Corran — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:00:08 +0000

Thanks Ryan. I did already know that about Tanaka but I had some photos to run with it which weren’t included by the sub-editor. That’s why I chose him over Nakazawa.

You’re right it does come down to youth development though I see another angle to it. Why put the time into developing a young striker when you can buy a ready made one from Brazil?

By: Koala Bear

Koala Bear — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:08:42 +0000

Davidde
I really think this is the best possible move for Josh to go into a league that plays a close short passing game… Although, the Japanese club, which bought Josh for his aerial prowess will deliver the crosses that has given him the reputation of a good aerial goal scorer… He will clearly benefit from this move to Japan in playing close control on the floor football; so will Australia… He will step up to the challenge and improve his technique on the ground even more… I believe many people have underestimated his close control that he definitely has in my view; he has demonstrated that with a nice first touch… Japanese football will improve his game even further because of the high tempo nature of it… He should get a lot more game time there and that is the most important thing…. Consistency, week in, week out football, which has never been the case in Germany…. Good luck Josh…

~~~~~~~~
KB

By: Ryan Steele

Ryan Steele — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:01:01 +0000

It’s all been said before, numerous times. Even on The Roar.

It also boils down to youth coaching. Finishing is not exactly high on the list of crtieria to teach the nation’s youngsters – neither is goalkeeping. Japan’s teams have always been stronger in the midfield than anywhere else, and that’s even reflected by the names that are playing overseas.

In the past, players were much better strikers, and it was due to a different kind of coaching. Now, a lot of younger talents, like Urawa’s Genki Haraguchi, are growing up with futsal, and are once again becoming a lot more proficient at finding the net, and with the precision footwork required to navigate the penalty box.

I think it’s been a developmental and transitional process, more than anything.

Also, just a tip: Tulio is only quarter-Japanese, the rest of him being Brazilian – where he was born and lived for half of his life – and Italian. That explains his height, really. Yuji Nakazawa would be better as an example.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:24:18 +0000

I think having good foreigners is an advantage for Japan overall, they may suffer in the forward department but if Japan has talented young forwards who aren’t quite as good as the expensive foreigners then that’s an oppurtunity for A League, K league and Chinese league teams to grab some players.
I’ve always thought the problems in the forward position in Japan was always blamed on them not being selfish enough… but your explanation makes more sence (similar to claims made about english cricket and fast bowlers).

Australia’s big advantage is so many of our players can get a European passport so were able to go and have time to establish themselves. If you can’t get that European passport you normally have to wait until you have proven yourself at home before going to holland or belgium.
We also have the English connection where most of our players go. It’s not just the higher standard of play and more intense training that helps, I think it’s a significant bonus to mentle strength to be take out of your comfort zone so young. It’s abit sink or swim but those that make it come out stronger. Luckily we now have the NYL to offer a pretty solid alternative path for young players too.