Our final article on Group C runs the rule over the first team to qualify for this yearβs tournament, Japan. Alberto Zaccheroniβs men get their campaign underway with a showdown against Ivory Coast on Sunday June 15, then take on Greece four days later at 11pm before a final encounter with Colombia on Tuesday June 24 at 9pm:
Road to Qualification
Japanβs form during their first qualifying group was far from impressive. Drawn in a four-team group along with North Korea, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, they finished second to the latter after winning three and drawing one of their six fixtures. Their displays picked up significantly thereafter, though. Up against Australia, Jordan, Oman and Iraq, they finished at the summit, winning five and drawing a couple of their eight fixtures. Zaccheroniβs side found the net on 16 occasions, conceding just five times and registering four clean sheets.
Most Starts Eiji Kawashima, Yasuhito Endo (8), Shinji Ozazaki, Yasuyuki Konno, Yuto Nagatomo, Makoto Hasebe, Ryoichi Maeda (7), Maya Yoshida, Keisuke Honda, Shinji Kagawa (6)
Most Goals Keisuke Honda (5),Shinji Ozazaki, Ryoichi Maeda (3), Shinji Kagawa, Yuzo Kurihara (2)
The Key Targets
Japan will be looking to improve upon their record in last yearβs Confederations Cup in Brazil, where the tasted defeat in all three of their games against the hosts, Italy (unluckily losing 4-3) and Mexico. Since then, theyβve won the East Asian Cup and played a further 12 friendlies β a 2-2 draw with Holland and 3-2 win over Belgium in November highlights their capabilities and, whilst a 4-2 triumph over New Zealand also underlined their ongoing problems at the back, theyβll be hoping yesterdayβs 1-0 win over Cyprus is an indication they are picking up in resilience.
As the stats above show, Zaccheroniβs side β set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation β is a relatively settled one, with 10 players starting six or more of the second qualifying group. In defence, attacking full-backs Yuto Nagatomo and Atsuto Uchida are the likeliest source of returns. The former, in particular, excelled last season, chipping in with five goals and six assists for Inter Milan and is available for just 4.7 in in FantasyiTeam, whilst Uchida (at 5.0) has recovered from injury after playing 17 of Schalkeβs 34 league games and scored the winner against the Cypriots yesterday. Centre-backs Yasuyuki Konno and Maya Yoshida (4.8 and 4.7 in FantasyiTeam) are equally as nailed-on but offer less in terms of attacking potential.
In the double-pivot, Yasuhito Endo and Makoto Hasebe are the preferred pairing, though the latter featured as a second-half sub yesterday after recovering from injury β Toshihiro Aoyama or Hotaru Yamaguchi also offer options in the defensive midfield positions.
Fantasy managers will be far more drawn to their attacking midfield options, though. Despite the fact that Keisuke Honda and Unitedβs Shinji Kagawa have struggled for game time at their respective clubs, they both remain key men in Zaccheroniβs system, with the Milan man utilised in βthe holeβ behind a lone striker. Honda notched five times during the qualifiers and looked to be number one for spot-kicks, though Kagawa scored a penalty in a recent friendly win over New Zealand whilst Honda was on the pitch. Coming in at 5.9 and 5.7 respectively in FantasyiTeam, they look likely to pick up most of the Fantasy interest from those willing to invest in Zaccheroniβs squad.
The Long Shots
Shinji Ozazaki is nailed-on down the right of the 4-2-3-1 and played every match of the qualifiers. Classified as a forward in FantasyiTeam, and priced at 6.9, heβs likely to be overlooked due to the cheaper options afforded by Honda and Kagawa, though with three goals to his name during qualifying, heβs more than capable of producing.
Uncertainty surrounds the lone forward role, however. Ryoichi Maeda started all but one of the qualifiers but failed to make the 23-man squad β it seems likely that one of Yoichiro Kakitani or Yuya Osako (5.9 and 5.8 in FantasyiTeam) will lead the line instead, judging by recent friendlies. Kakitani has now started four of the last six, producing a goal and assist against Belgium, whilst Osako has featured in the first XI in two of the last six, delivering a goal and assist in the draw with Holland.
Further Analysis
Group A – Brazil,Cameroon, Croatia, Mexico
Group B – Australia, Chile, Holland, Spain
Group C – Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast
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