Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on May 2014
Paul Williams
- Editor, Asian Football Feast
- Website: www.asianfootballfeast.com
- Twitter: @AsianFballFeast
Where will Japan finish?
- Round of 16
Why?
- Japan’s attacking talent will more than cover for their suspect defense. Honda, Kagawa, Osako and Kakitani will cause trouble for opposing defenders and while Japan will leak goals, they’ve shown that they can match it with the best against Italy, Belgium and Holland in recent games.
Alan Gibson
- Editor, JSoccer Magazine
- Website: www.jsoccer.com
- Twitter: @JSoccerMagazine
Where will Japan finish?
- Quarterfinals
Why?
- The unheralded efficiency of Shinji Okazaki—while the focus is on Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda—may be the key to goals. If the “big occasion” Samurai Blue turn up—the team that gave Holland a scare and Belgium a beating—anything can happen. Japan tends to rise to its opponents. Hopefully a quarterfinal berth can be achieved and then, who knows what can happen in a knockout match!
Angus MacLeod
- Editor, JapanFooty
- Website: www.japanfooty.com
- Twitter: @japanfooty
Where will Japan finish?
- Round of 16
Why?
- Given the quality of the opposition that Japan is likely to face if it makes it to the second round, I cannot see the team making it as far as the quarterfinals. Going forward, Japan is a very entertaining side to watch, but a shaky defense and an error-prone goalkeeper will make it difficult to improve on its showing at South Africa 2010.
Ben Maxwell
- Host, J-Talk Podcast
- Website: jtalkpodcast.blogspot.com
- Twitter: @JTalkPod
Where will Japan finish?
- Round of 16
Why?
- In a wide open group, Japan has a strong chance of progressing, with Yuya Osako my pick to lead the line ahead of “golden boy” Yoichiro Kakitani. Unfortunately for Japan, they are likely to play either Uruguay or Italy (sorry, England!) in the first knockout round if the team makes it out of its group, and even though the Samurai Blue gave the Italians a hell of a game at the Confederations Cup last year, I don’t think they will be able to pull off an upset and make the quarterfinals.
