After Toby picking up an injury yesterday anyone hoping that Maya Yoshida will return early from the Asian Cup will surely be disappointed. This afternoon he was on target for his national team as they beat Asian Cup newcomers Palestine 4-0. Japan are in a very easy group and as reigning champions are expected to go well.
Fingers crossed for Yoshi...win the tournament, play well, keep fit and come back on form and confidence Pleeeeeaaaaase!
Just watched the Australia V Oman Asia Cup game...and by watched i mean endured. That was absolutely woeful made worse by the commentary which made no effort to hide bias, continuously mentioned and even listed the referees mistakes (IE decisions made against Australia,) used adjectives like awesome and amazing with very single pass and movement of every Australian player and pretty much ignored Oman entirely unless it was to describe the totality of 'the mighty Soceroos' victory. The overall standard of football was pretty poor but there are some decent young Australian players that could be worth a look for us to use as squad player. Matthew Leckie and Tomi Juric especially seem like players who could step up to the EPL level given time.
I have not seen any games so far, but no surprises yet, unless you count China beating the Saudi's as a shock. Not enough strong nations football wise in Asia, take away the Japanese, South Koreans and Aussies and the rest are all of a similar standard. Most games do not seem to be attracting too much support apart from for the Aussies.
Strange having the Aussies in the Asian Cup...geographically correct as where else would they play. Does show how isolated the Aussies would be from their European roots if heaven forbid another World War breaks out.
As indeed they almost were in the last one, and would most likely have suffered an invasion but for the Americans holding out at Guadalcanal and other places.
The Chinese national team have been hopeless for a couple of years, they seemed transformed in this competition. Qualified for the knock out stages after beating the two strongest teams in the group (Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia). Their reward for progressing is to play either the Aussies or South Koreans.
Japan win again 1-0 so looking like qualifying for the QFs with Yoshie marshalling the defence to their second clean sheet
Just watched the Australians lose 1-0 to the South Koreans, their final group game and they both proceed to the quarter final. The Aussies got their excuses in early, complaining about the state of the pitch yesterday. Surely as hosts they (or their FA) should be responsible for the state of the pitches. The good news for them is they now play their QF on the same pitch against the Chinese who have won their opening two games at that stadium.
Iran have just beaten the UAE by a single goal to finish top of their group but I was impressed by one of the UAE players. Omar Abdulrahman is a 23 year old attacking midfielder that can also play as a winger, he previously had a trial at Man City (2012), but it was not taken further due to his not being granted a work permit. UAE are now one place behind the South Koreans in the FIFA rankings and SK players can work in the UK, so that might not be a problem now. He was ranked as the top Asian player of 2012, and in 2013 as the most promising of future stars in Asian football. Not too many players have impressed me from the Asian Cup so far, but he is one that could well get a chance in Europe and why not at Saints?
@MayaYoshida3: Pleasure to meet saints fans in Australia!! Thank you guys!! #saintsfc #AC2015 #Melbourne please log in to view this image
Divided loyalty's for his next game versus UAE; want him to do well, but live in Dubai and would be glad to see him come home early but at the same time love for him to win another medal for his country.
