AJET Connect MAY 2014

Keisuke HondaPokemon dressed in their finest Japan bluesWORLD CUPPikachu supporting his country’s teamWARM UPJonathon Morris, Akita50 doubts surrounding the including of their star player, Radamel51This June, the spectacle of the 2014 World Cup takes place in Key Games for JapanFalcao. Even without Falcao though, they are still capable of Alberto Zaccheroni, an Italian national, who has previouslyBrazil. Whether you’re a football fan or not, the World Cup thisscoring as they have a more than able replacement in Jackson managed clubs like Juventus, Lazio and AC Milan, currentlysummer is sure to be an incredible extravaganza. Football has(All times below are Japan Standard Time)Martinez. The aerial passes will be a particular problem for Japan manages the Japanese national team. In this role, he’s givenbeen steadily increasing in popularity in Japan, especially sinceto cope with, but with questions over ‘Los Cafeteros’ defencethe 2002 World Cup that was co-hosted by Japan and South Japan’s first game is at 10am on Saturday June 14 th againstyounger players a chance and instilled an attacking brand ofsuggest that Japan will have chances to score. For those ofKorea. Japan has also been lucky enough to have their official Cote d’Ivoire, followed by Greece five days later on Thursday 19 thfootball into the team.you dedicated enough for the 4am start, you can expect to bemascot for the 2014 World Cup as Pikachu. Not to mention June at 7 AM. Then, for the most dedicated fans, arguably theirrewarded with goals.that Adidas has recruited Japanese pop mega stars AKB48. I’m toughest group game is against Colombia on Thursday the 24 thJapan’s Chancessure you’re all looking forward to the soon to be aired Adidas June at 5 AM.commercial featuring AKB48 in Japan shirts (come on, I knowJapan’s Key Playersyou’re all secret fans).In this article we will take a look at some of the structure ofthe tournament, a selection of Japan’s key games, and assessJapan’s chances whilst identifying key players to look out for.Hopefully, this will equip you to get into some dedicated WorldCup conversations with students, co-workers, or friends.Tournament StructureFor those unfamiliar with the World Cup, it kicks off with 32teams from all over the world playing in groups of four teams.All the best-ranked teams (‘seeded’ teams) are deliberately putin different groups. The teams play each other once, with threepoints for a win and one point for a draw. After all four teamshave played each other; the top two teams from each group gothrough to the next round, which is a knockout stage. Japan is inGroup C along with Colombia, Greece and Cote d’Ivoire.SPORTSThis group is very difficult to predict because of the diversity andstrengths of the teams. Cote d’Ivoire have a squad of playersthat almost all play in the top European leagues including,three-time African Player of the year, Yaya Toure, a fantasticallyversatile midfielder who can seemingly play in almost anyposition. Manchester City fans are used to seeing him switchfrom defensive to attacking positions in every match. Japan mayhave difficulties in dealing with the overall size and strength ofthis team. Defensively however, Cote d’Ivoire have not alwaysbeen the most solid international team. So expect goals.Apart from a few players who play for teams in other parts ofEurope, the majority of Greece’s squad plays in Greece. They areexperienced and notoriously difficult to break down. Renownedfor playing very defensively they are not the most entertainingside to watch and Japan will have to be wary of set-pieces. Fiveof their eight victories in the qualifying round have been 1-0score lines. So don’t expect a thriller from this one.CONNECTThe final game of the group is Colombia. Tipped by some asdark horses to win the World Cup, ‘Los Cafeteros’ (The CoffeeGrowers) appear to have it all: pace, power, technical skill andheight. That means they are able to adapt their style of playdepending on their opponents. An injury means that there areKeisuke Honda is vital to Japan’s chances. The versatile attackingmidfielder has been playing for AC Milan in Italy since January,but hasn’t been in form. Honda has so far only played on thewing for AC Milan, despite the centre being his favoured position.Japanese fans will be hoping that the blonde talisman is out toprove himself on the world stage.Japan’s other famous midfielder, Shinji Kagawa, has also beenplayed in positions that haven’t suited him at Manchester United.The 25-year-old Hyogo-born midfielder has shown glimpses ofhis talent this season, but Japanese fans will be hoping he canrediscover the form that he was displaying a year ago when hebecame the first Asian player to score a hat-trick in the EnglishPremier league.Another player to look out for is Shinji Okazaki. Hyogo-bornOkazaki, who currently plays in Germany for FC Mainz, hasCONNECTMay Issue 2014 May Issue 2014SPORTSscored 35 times for Japan, making him the national team’sfourth highest ever goal scorer.The ManagerWhilst Japan’s group isn’t the easiest, it’s far from the mostdifficult. Japan’s victory over Belgium and a draw against theNetherlands in late 2013 gives us reason to believe Japan iscapable of competing against much stronger sides. Japan willbe eyeing the opening two fixtures for maximum points, so wecan expect goals. Let’s hope we hear plenty of ‘NIPPON OLE ‘this summer.Jonathon is a first year High School ALT from the UKcurrently living in Noshiro City, Northern Akita Prefecture.When he is not keeping up to date with football he has aninsatiable interest in international relations and world affairs.Since arriving in Akita Prefecture, Jonathon has acquired apassion for skiing and nihonshu (but has yet to combine thetwo). He can confirm he is available for selection for severalteams taking part in the World Cup, and is optimistic aboutreceiving a call up to join any day now despite concerns overhis fitness, ability, eligibility, experience and age.