Korean Football Woes: Japan’s Take, Says Technical Chief
Japan FA Official: Korea’s Soccer Decline a Lesson
SEOUL (Yonhap) — A top official with the Japan football Association (JFA) has suggested that the recent struggles of South Korean soccer should serve as a cautionary tale for Japan.
According to the DOSPO Web, the JFA held a technical committee meeting where Masanaga Kageyama, the JFA’s technical chairman, addressed the recent performance of Korean teams. Kageyama reportedly stated that the current state of Korean football, traditionally a rival, should be viewed as a “teacher,” implying a source of lessons.
focus on Recent Matches
Kageyama highlighted two specific matches to illustrate his point: a U-17 Asian Cup match between South Korea and Indonesia,and the Denso Cup,an annual pleasant competition between university teams from South Korea and Japan.
In the Denso Cup, Japan secured a 1-0 victory. Though, Kageyama noted a significant disparity in the quality of play, pointing out that the Korean team failed to register a single shot on goal.
The U-17 Asian Cup saw South Korea suffer a 1-0 defeat against Indonesia in their opening group stage match. Despite attempting 21 shots, only three were on target. This marked the first time South Korea has lost to Indonesia in this age group, having previously won twice and drawn once in their encounters.
Kageyama cautioned that complacency could lead to a similar decline, stating, “We are not shallow, but we can do so if we are a little vigilant (like Korean football).”
Analysis of Korean Football
While the JFA Technology Committee did not conduct a formal analysis of Korean football, Kageyama offered his personal observations, attributing the decline to a shift in playing style.
“There are many reasons for the weakness of Korean football, but I point out that the university federation is becoming similar to Japan’s football that focuses on connecting (passes),” he said.
kageyama suggested that South Korean football has lost its characteristic “wildness,” which previously compensated for any technical deficiencies. He emphasized the importance of Japan maintaining its physical and aggressive style while refining its technical abilities, warning against emulating what he perceives as a weakness in the current Korean approach.
Kageyama, a former central defender in the 1990s, has held various coaching positions, including stints with the Macau national team, the Singapore U-16 national team, and the Japanese U-20 national team.
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Japan FA Official: What’s Behind South Korea’s Soccer Struggles?
Why is Japan’s Football Association (JFA) concerned about South Korean Soccer?
According to a top official from the Japan football Association (JFA), the recent struggles of South Korean soccer are being viewed as a “teacher” and a cautionary tale for Japan.This viewpoint stems from a technical committee meeting where Masanaga Kageyama,the JFA’s technical chairman,discussed the recent performance of South Korean teams.
What Specific Matches Highlight South Korea’s Decline?
Masanaga Kageyama cited two specific matches to illustrate the perceived decline in South Korean football:
U-17 Asian Cup: South Korea suffered a 1-0 defeat against Indonesia in their opening group stage match. This was notably notable as it was the first time South Korea had lost to Indonesia in this age group.
Denso cup: In this annual competition between university teams from South Korea and Japan, Japan secured a 1-0 victory. Kageyama noted a disparity in the quality of play, with the Korean team failing to register a single shot on goal.
What were the Results of the Matches?
Here’s a summary:
| Match | Result | Key Stats |
| :—————- | :—————— | :—————————————– |
| Denso Cup | Japan 1, South Korea 0 | South Korea: 0 shots on goal |
| U-17 Asian Cup | Indonesia 1, South Korea 0 | South Korea: 21 shots, 3 on target |
What is the JFA’s technical Chairman’s Opinion on the Decline?
While the JFA Technology Committee hasn’t conducted a formal analysis, Kageyama offered his personal observations. He attributes the decline to a shift in playing style,particularly at the university level.
What Specific Playing Style Shift is Kageyama Concerned About?
kageyama pointed out that South Korean football is becoming similar to Japan’s focus on connecting passes, which he believes has led to a loss of the ”wildness” that previously compensated for technical deficiencies.
what Does Kageyama Advise Japan to Do?
He emphasizes the importance of Japan maintaining it’s physical and aggressive style while refining its technical abilities. Kageyama cautions against emulating the perceived weaknesses in the current Korean approach.
Who is Masanaga Kageyama?
Masanaga Kageyama is the Technical Chairman of the Japan Football Association (JFA). He is a former central defender from the 1990s. He has held various coaching positions, including roles with:
Macau national team
Singapore U-16 national team
* Japanese U-20 national team