Countdown to South Africa: Spotlight on Japan

Japan were the first team to qualify for South Africa 2010, these are 23 players who could be chosen to play at the World Cup.  This is the Japanese squad I believe has the best chance of success at the 2010 World Cup.

First 11

GK  Seigo Narazaki captain,  Club- Nagoya Grampus, Age at World Cup (AWC) 34.  Made his international debut against Australia in February 1998.

RB.  Atsuto Uchida, Club- Kashima Antlers, (AWC) 22.  Is the youngest Japanese goalscorer in a World Cup qualification match.

CB.  Marcus Tulio Tanaka, Club- Urawa Red Diamonds, (AWC) 29.  Was born in Sao Paulo and lived in Brazil until he was fifteen. 

CB.  Yuji Nakazawa, Club- Yokohama F. Marinos, (AWC) 32.  As an eighteen year old he trained with Brazilian club America for a year to improve as a footballer. 

LB.  Michihiro Yasuda, Club- Gamba Osaka, (AWC) 22.

RM.  Shunsuke Nakamura, Club- Espanyol, (AWC) 31.  Is the first Japanese player to score in the Champions League.

CM.  Makoto Hasebe, Club- Vfl Wolfsburg, (AWC) 26.  Plays for the 2008/2009 season Bundesliga champions. 

Mid.  Keisuke Honda, Club- VVV-Venlo, (AWC) 23.   

LM.  Daisuke Matsui, Club- Grenoble, (AWC) 29.    

ST.  Takayuki Morimoto, Club- Catania, (AWC) 22.  Holds the record for being the youngest Japanese player to make his professional debut and the youngest goalscorer in  J-league history.  

ST.  Shinji Okazaki, Club- Shimizu S-Pulse, (AWC) 24.

Subs

GK  Ryota Tsuzuki, Club- Urawa Red Diamonds, (AWC) 32.

GK  Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi, Club- Jubilo Iwata, (AWC) 34.  Played for Japan at the 1998 and 2006 World Cups. 

CB  Shuhei Terada, Club- Kawasaki Frontale, (AWC) 34.  Made his debut for the national team at age 32.

Def  Daiki Iwamasa, Club- Kashima Antlers, (AWC) 28.

RB  Yuto Nagatomo, Club- FC Tokyo, (AWC) 23.  Can also play as a center back or left back.

LWB  Yuichi Komano, Club- Jubilo Iwata, (AWC) 28.  Can also play on the right side of defence.

CM  Yasuhito Endo, Club- Gamba Osaka, (AWC) 30.  Can play as an attacking midfielder or defensive midfielder with equal effectness.  

CM  Kengo Nakamura, Club- Kawasaki Frontale, (AWC) 29.  Can also play as an attacking or defensive midfielder.

RM  Junichi Inamoto, Club- Rennes, (AWC) 30.  Can also play in the center of midfield.

LW  Shinji Ono, Club- Vfl Bochum, (AWC) 30.  Played for Japan at the 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Cup.

ST.  Atsushi Yanagisawa, Club- Kyoto Sanga F.C., (AWC) 33.  Was the most prolific Japanese player in the 2008 J-league season scoring 14 goals.

ST.  Sho Ito, Club- Grenoble, (AWC) 21.  Impressed in a trial at Arsenal in 2006 however his work permit application fell through preventing any potential move to the club.   

The Coach

This is Takeshi Okada second spell in charge of the Japan national team.  His first spell as national team manager included the 1998 World Cup where Japan lost all three of their games.  Okada has also coached Japanese clubs Consadole Sapporo and Yokohama F. Marinos.

Japan's strengths

As a whole Japanese players have a high level of technical ability.  Most of the midfielders chosen can play in at least two positions.  With South Africa being the fourth World Cup Japan has qualified for in a row many of the Japanese players have the experience of playing at a World Cup.    

Japan's weakness  

Like South Korea, Japan has a lack of players regularly facing European club quality opposition regularly.  Japan also lacks a prolific goal scorer.  

Countdown to South Africa: Spotlight on South Korea

These are the 23 players who could possibly be included in South Korea's squad for South Africa.

First 11

GK Lee Won Jae, Club- Suwon Bluewings, Age at World Cup (AWC) 37. Is known for his penalty saving ability.

RB. Cha Du-Ri, Club- SC Freiburg, (AWC) 29. He is the son of legendary Korean player Cha Bum-Kun.

CB. Lee Jung-Soo, Club- Kyoto Sanga FC, (AWC) 30.

CB. Kim Dong-Jin, Club- Zenit Saint Petersburg, (AWC) 28. Can also play at left back.

LB. Jang Hak-Young, Club- Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma, (AWC) 28.

RM. Lee Chung-Yong, Club- Bolton, (AWC) 21.

CM. Park Ji-Sung captain, Club- Manchester United, (AWC) 29. Is the first Korean to ever win the UEFA Champions League and the first Asian to ever captain Manchester Untied.

CM. Cho Won-Hee, Club- Wigan Athletic, (AWC) 27.

LM. Seol Ki-Hyeon, Club- Fulham, (AWC) 31.

ST. Shin Young-Rok, Bursaspor (Turkey), (AWC) 23.

ST. Park Chu-Young, Club- AS Monaco, (AWC) 24.

Subs

GK. Kim Young-Kwang, Club- Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i, (AWC) 26.

GK. Jung Sung-Ryong, Club- Seongam Ilhwa Chunma, (AWC) 25.

Def. Kim Kun-Hoan, Club- Yokohama F. Marinos, (AWC) 23.

CB. Kim Jin-Kyu, Club- FC Seoul, (AWC) 25.

RWB. Choi Hyo-Jin, Club- Pohang Steelers, (AWC) 26. Can also play as a midfielder.

LB. Yang Sang-Min, Club- Suwon Samsung Bluewings, (AWC) 26.

CDM. Kim Nam-II, Club- Vissel Kobe, (AWC) 33. Has been nicknamed The Vacuum Cleaner" for his impressive displays in the defensive midfield role.

Mid. Kim Do-Heon, Club- Suwon Bluewings, (AWC) 27.

RW. Choi Tae-Uk, Club- Jeonbuk Hyundai, (AWC) 29. Can also play on the left side of midfield.

LW. Kim Chi-Woo, Club- FC Seoul, (AWC) 26.

ST. Lee Keun-Ho, Club- Jubilo Iwata, (AWC) 25.

ST. Cho Jae-Jin, Club- Gamba Osaka, (AWC) 28.

The Coach

This is Huh Jung-Moo third spell in charge of the Korean national team, he previously coached Korea in 1993-94 and 1998-2000. He has also coached Korean club sides Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i, Pohang Steelers and Chunnam Dragons.

South Korea's strengths.

Having qualified for seven world cups in a row, Korea as a team and as individual players have the experience to mount a strong campaign at South Africa 2010.

South Korea's weakness.

With more then half the squad currently playing for Japanese and Korean clubs their is a lack of players with the experience of playing regular against European club quality opposition.

Exclusions and Inclusions

As of September 5th 2009 Lee Young-Pyo (LB) and Oh Beom-Seok (CM) dropped from the squad and Seol Ki-Hyeon (LW) and Yang Sang-Min (LB) included in the squad.

Confederations Cup 2009

The 2009 Confederations Cup starts on the 14th of June with South Africa hosting Iraq at Ellis Park in the city of Johannesburg.  The South African world cup organising committee will use the Confederations Cup as a dress rehearsal for the world cup a year from now to test out things such as the ticketing system, the various stadiums match day management and their ability to respond to any safety issues that may arise as well as the other things that will make South Africa 2010 run smoothly. 

The eight nations competing in the tournament will also be using the the Confederations Cup to achieve their various goals, however what these goals are will vary from country to country 

New Zealand

New Zealand finished top of the Oceania zone qualifying to progress to a play-off against the side who finish fifth in the Asian zone for a place at the World Cup.  New Zealand will be using the Confederations Cup to prepare for that vital tie.  The tournament will give the team at least three matches to work on their formation, tactics and set plays.  New Zealand have taken their strongest possible other then their usual captain centre-back Ryan Nelsen who is missing because of injury.  Of New Zealand's 23 men squad excluding Australia, nine members play outside of New Zealand.  Four of them play in the MLS, the other five play in various leagues across Europe.  Another nine members play in various teams across the A-league, seven of them at the one club Wellington Phoenix.  New Zealand have also included four players who play for non-professional clubs in the New Zealand Football Championship.  By being involved with the New Zealand squad at the Confederations Cup they will more easily able to fill in in the play-off if New Zealand suffer any injuries before the tie.    

Iraq

Iraq are playing in the Confederations Cup because of their win against the odds at the 2007 Asian Cup.  Since that success however things have not gone well for the Iraqi nation team.  They were eliminated in the third phase of the Asian zone qualifying finishing third in their group behind Australia and Qatar.  Since then friendly results for them have been poor.  Because Iraq are the current holders of the 2007 Asian Cup they have already qualified for the 2011 edition.  With only friendlies before the next Asian Cup starts, the Confederations Cup will provide some rare and valuable competitive matches for the Iraq team to play in.  The Iraqi players will also be trying to play well while the world is watching and try to gain interest from a European club and get a move to one.  At the moment 22 members in the Iraqi squad play in various clubs across the Middle East.  The only exception is winger Hawar Mulla Mohammed who currently plays for Cypriot club Anorthosis FC.

Egypt

At the moment having played two games in the final group stage of Africa zone qualifying Egypt is at the bottom of their four team group on 1 point.  Three points behind joint leaders Algeria and Zambia.  At the Confederations Cup Egypt are in group B with Brazil, Italy and Untied States.  Egypt will try to get a couple of good results in a tough group at the Confederations Cup, to gain some momentum and use this to reignite their campaign to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.        

South Africa

As hosts of the World Cup South Africa will have the benefit of a enthusiastic home crowd, however they could also face the problem of an expectant home crowd.  The Confederations Cup will give to the team a good opportunity to learn and work out ways how to deal with this. Also the Confederations Cup will give the South African team the chance to play against the best national side in the world at the moment Spain.

Untied States

In the Untied States 23 men squad for the Confederations Cup three players Jonathan Bornstein, Ricardo Clark and Sacha Kljestan have only ever played in the MLS.  The Confederations Cup is a chance for those players to gain experience playing against players who play at quality European clubs.  The afore mentioned players if they play well could also use the tournament to try to gain a move to a European club.     

Brazil  

With less then a year to the World Cup Brazil are on top in the South America qualifying zone.  After 14 matches Brazil have got 27 points and have almost qualified for South Africa 2010.  As usual Brazil have a strong squad however there appear to be a few weaknesses in certain positions.  Brazil have a lack of depth in the forward positions after first choice pairing Luis Fabiano and Robinho.  Brazilian coach Dunga has selected Milan youngster Alexandre Pato and Internacional striker Nilmar as the other forwards in the Brazilian Confederations Cup squad. A good performance from either or both of them would go a long way to them getting a spot in Brazil's world cup squad.  Brazil are also very thin on the left side of defence, Internacional left wing back Kleber has been starting there recently for Brazil.  Dunga has also included Corinthians left back Andre Santos in the squad and will use the Confederations Cup to have a look at him.  There are no other Brazilians making a strong claim to solve this problem area for the Brazilian national team.               

Italy     

Since winning their fourth World Cup in Germany, Italy had a disappointing European championship campaign,  getting knocked out by Spain in the quarter-finals.  Since then their World Cup qualifying campaign has been good but not up to their usual high standards and they were completely outplayed by Brazil in a friendly which they lost 2-0.  Italy will use the Confederations Cup to show their doubters that they will be a serious contender at the 2010 World Cup.  Italian manger Marcello Lippi has already stated he will be using the tournament to continue to build the Italian squad in preparation for South Africa 2010.     

Spain

One of the main things Spain are using the Confederations Cup for is to see if various players have the quality to be able to add depth and be part of the Spanish squad that will go to the 2010 World Cup.  If players like Raul Albiol, Pablo Hernandez, Sergi Busquets, Diego Lopez and Juan Manuel Mata impress at South Africa 2009 they will have dramatically increased their chances of being involved in South Africa 2010. 

                       

Countdown to South Africa: Spotlight on Australia

From being the last team to qualify for the 2006 world cup Australia is the second team to qualify for this world two hours after Japan did.

These are the players i would chose to go to South Africa.

First 11

GK. Mark Schwarzer, Club- Fulham, Age at World Cup (AWC) 37. Arguably the EPL goalkeeper of the season after his performances for Fulham over the last 12 months.

RB. Luke Wilkshire, Club- Dynamo Moscow, (AWC) 28. Provided over half of Australia's crosses in the qualification campaign, and a number of assists.

CB. Craig Moore, Club- Brisbane Roar, (AWC) 34. Has survived a testicular cancer scare to continue his football career.

CB. Mark Milligan, Club- Shanghai Shenhua (China), (AWC) 24. Since moving to his Chinese club Milligan has started to fulfill his potential.

LB. Scott Chipperfield, Club- Basel, (AWC) 34. While playing for Wollongong he also worked part time as a school bus driver.

CDM. Vince Grella, Club- Blackburn, (AWC) 30. Made his debut for the national, in the famous match when Australia beat England 3-1.

RM. Brett Emerton, Club- Blackburn, (AWC) 31. Has reverted to a more attacking role for Australia since the last world cup.

LM. Harry Kewell, Club- Galatasaray, (AWC) 31. Wants to show the world his best after he was limited by injury at the last world cup.

CAM. Tim Cahill, Club- Everton, (AWC) 30. Is Australia's star player, is extremely dangerous from set pieces.

St. Josh Kennedy, Club- Nagoya Grampus (Japan), (AWC) 27. Is 1.94 meters tall and a good header of the ball, the opposition will know what he's about, but the question is can they stop him.

St. Scott McDonald, Club- Celtic, (AWC) 26. Is yet to find his Celtic goal scoring form for Australia, but if he does Australia's chances of success at the world cup will increase dramatically.

Subs

GK. Michael Petkovic, Club- Sivasspor (Tuk), (AWC) 33. Sivasspor were runners up in the 2008-09 Super Lig season.

GK. Adam Federici, Club- Reading (Championship), (AWC) 25. Looks set to be Reading's first choice goalkeeper in the coming season.

CB. Matthew Spiranovic, Club- Nuremberg, (AWC) 21. Although he only played 8 games in the just completed season, Nuremberg have shown their belief in him by offering him a two year contract.

CB. Chris Coyne, Club- Perth Glory, (AWC) 31. Is looking to move to play in a league with a better standard of play.

RB. Rhys Williams, Club- Middlesbrough (Championship), (AWC) 21. After making 10 appearances for the Wales under 21 side, Williams decided to represent Australia the country of his birth.

LB. David Carney, Club- Sheffield Untied (Championship), (AWC) 26. Played alongside Wayne Rooney for Everton in the 2002 FA Youth Cup.

CM. Jason Culina, Club- Gold Coast Untied, (AWC) 29. Will find it more difficult to keep his starting spot for Australia because of his move back to the A-league.

RW. Richard Garcia, Club- Hull City, (AWC) 28. Scored Hull City's first ever premier league away goal.

LW. James Troisi, Club- Kayserispor, (AWC) 21. Troisi's move from Newcastle Utd to play in the Turkcell Super Lig lead to his breakthrough season in 2008/09, making 29 appearances for club Genclerbirligi.

CAM. Mark Bresciano, Club- Palermo, (AWC) 30. Scored the goal for Australia that leveled the 2005 world cup qualification tie against Uruguay.

CF. Bruce Djite, Club- Genclerbirligi, (AWC) 23. As well as being eligible for Australia, Djite could of also played for the USA, Cote d'Ivoire and Togo.

St. Nikita Rukavytsya, Club- FC Twente (AWC) 22. With Australia's low striking depths there are great hopes Rukavytsya will quickly fulfill his potential.

The Coach.

Australia's manager is the Dutchman Pim Verbeek. Previously Pim Verbeek has been the manager of the Netherlands Antilles and South Korea national teams. Before this Pim Verbeek was club manager of various clubs in Japan and Holland. This will be the first world cup Pim Verbeek is a manager at, however Verbeek went to the 2002 world cup as an assistant to Guus Hiddink with South Korea and also with South Korea at the 2006 world cup as an assistant to Dick Advocaat. With Australia Pim Verbeek has usually played a defensive formation with one striker and two holding midfielders and a cautious style. He used a similar style while managing South Korea.

Australia's strengths

Experience, of the first 11 I've chosen 10 of them played at the 2006 world cup, 2 of the 12 subs also played at Germany to give over half the squad the experience of playing at a world cup. Defence, in the final group stage of Asian Cup qualifying Australia is yet to concede a goal keeping 6 clean sheets.

Australia's weakness

Australia's main weakness is at left back especially if something was to happen to 34 year old Scott Chipperfield. Australia's left side of midfield also does not have much depth. Australia is also lacking at the moment in the front third, if teams can stop the crosses getting to Josh Kennedy his impact is greatly limited.

Notes

Although i have selected a 4-4-2 formation in reality Australia is more likely to play with a 4-2-3-1 formation. Midfielder Brett Holman is not included in squad however he is one of Pim Verbeek's favorite players especially to bring off the bench late in a match and is highly likely to be included in the real squad. Mark Viduka was not considered since he hasn't indicated whether he will continue playing football next season. If Uruguayan - Australian footballer Richard Porta decided to play football, at the moment I would chose him before Nikita Rukavytsya.

Exclusions and Inclusions

As of September the 5th 2009 Lucas Neil dropped from the entire squad since he doesn't currently have a club. Mark Milligan included in the first 11 for his outstanding form with his club in China.

EPL dream team

This is my pick of the best players of the 2008-09 EPL season.

First 11

GK- M. Schwarzer.  Was the best goalkeeper and didn't have the benefit of the Manchester Untied or Liverpool defenders standing in front of him.

RB- J. Bosingwa.  Started the season in great form then had a mid season dip, but recovered most of his form by the end of the season.

CB- Carragher.  Another season of consistency from the Liverpool vice-captain.

CB- R. Ferdinand.  Showed why he's one of the best defenders in the world.  Manchester untied always looked a lot calmer in defence when he played.

LB- P. Evra.  Arguably now the best left back in world football.

RM- D. Kuyt.  Probably the most underrated player in the EPL.  Not as flashy as other players but was very consistent. 

CM- F. Lampard.  Another great season from Chelsea's number 8.   

CM- S. Gerrard.  Player of the season.

LM- A. Young.  Started the season brilliantly but his form faltered in conjunction with Aston Villa's bad run in the second half of the season.  

St- N. Anelka.  Started the season extremely well and ended up being the top goalscorer with 19 goals. 

St- F. Torres.  Injury interrupted season but still had moments of brilliance to show why he's one of the best strikers in the world.

Subs

GK- P. Reina.  Another great season from Liverpool's shot stopper who even got an assist.

RB- G. Johnson.  A bright spot in disappointing Portsmouth season.

CB- N. Vidic.  Started the season well lost a bit of confidence towards the end.

RW- C. Ronaldo.  Didn't start the season well but finished strongly.

CM- S. Ireland.  Manchester City made some big signings at the start of the season but Ireland's superb form outshone them all.

St- Robinho.  Adapt well to the English game in his first season in the premier league.

St- W. Rooney.  Had a good season even those he had to play on the left of midfield because of Manchester Untieds lack of options in that position.