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Japan faced Ecuador in the Kirin Cup and won 4-3 on penalties after playing to a scoreless 0-0 draw. In his Nikkan Sports column, Sergio Echigo (81) lamented a first half that offered little to watch, and criticized the fact that no clear new talent has emerged across Japan’s three matches so far. On 5ch, discussion spread around frustration with manager Hajime Moriyasu’s tendency to stick with the same core group of players, and debate over why no new talent is breaking through — while some pushed back, noting Ecuador had a full week of rest compared to Japan’s three-day turnaround, arguing “Ecuador’s own conditions should be factored in too.” Rather than the match itself, it was the evaluation of squad selection and lineup policy that split opinion.

<Kirin Cup: Japan 0 (5 PK 4) 0 Ecuador> ◇October 1 ◇Nissan Stadium

Japan (ranked 17th by FIFA) faced Ecuador (ranked 25th), both sides having been eliminated in the round of 32 at this summer’s World Cup across North and Central America, and won on penalties after a 0-0 draw. Nikkan Sports columnist Sergio Echigo (81) lamented a first half that was especially short on highlights, and voiced unease that no solid new talent has emerged across the three matches so far.

In a similar penalty shootout the night before at the Asian Games, the “younger sibling” team (the U-21 squad) came through; tonight it was the “older sibling’s” turn. But since the older sibling was playing at home, I at least wanted to see them push forward a bit more.

Source: nikkansports.com / Original article here

*This article is compiled as an excerpt/summary from the 5ch (Geisoku Sokuho+) thread “[Soccer] Sergio Echigo: Older brother, I wish you’d pushed forward just a bit more… New talent still hasn’t emerged.”

Ayumu Seko of Le Havre has visibly raised his standing after gaining experience at the North/Central America World Cup. At a press conference on September 30, manager Hajime Moriyasu praised the improvement in his defensive intensity and speed of judgment. With Koki Itakura and Takehiro Tomiyasu sidelined by injury, Seko has now started in two straight matches. On 5ch (formerly 2ch)’s Geinou/Sports Breaking News+ board, posters expressed surprise at the turnaround of a player once harshly criticized, and the discussion expanded to cover the similarly once-maligned-turned-prominent midfielder Ao Tanaka, as well as a clash of opinions over the national team’s goal tally and how players are used.

Japan national team defender Ayumu Seko (26, Le Havre) has seen his stock rise rapidly.

Seko, who made his first appearance on the big stage at the North/Central America World Cup, is a regular for the Japan squad but hasn’t locked down an undisputed starting spot, facing competition from defenders Koki Itakura (Borussia Mönchengladbach) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (Crystal Palace). Still, in the restart after the World Cup, a string of injuries along the back line has helped him start in two consecutive matches. He could also start in the October 1 international friendly against Ecuador (at Nissan Stadium).

At his September 30 press conference, manager Hajime Moriyasu offered praise: “I’ve really felt him growing. He keeps improving, steadily building toward the top world standard. We’ve had injuries, but as the central figure in our defense, he’s not losing out physically even against high-intensity attacking opponents, and his quality has risen in reading the game early to snuff out danger before it happens, winning individual duels, covering for teammates, and anticipating the play to cut off the opponent’s attacking chances.”

Source: tokyo-sports.co.jp / Original article here

*This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Geinou/Sports Breaking News+) thread “[Soccer] Ayumu Seko grows rapidly through World Cup experience — praise from manager Moriyasu, Ritsu Doan, Takefusa Kubo, and others“.