Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
Road to World Cup 26 - Ep12 - Japan
2 Plays1 hour ago
Join your hosts Nick Britten Ken Davies as we take the deepest of deep dives into everything related to the FIFA World Cup 2026 held in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
All the news, analysis and comment from every team, every qualification process and of course the tournament itself. The biggest festival of soccer in the world.
This week we dive into Japan – the players, coach, formation, the lot. Plus your World Cup news, will Ken’s poor run in Kenny’s Quiz continue and what happened when his internet in the Canary Islands failed miserably half way through recording?
Your weekly guide to the pinnacle of world soccer brought to you by Global Sports Podcast Network
Our Sponsors
Bioniq - Don't settle for off-the-shelf solutions made for ANY body. Get what's right for YOU. Right now.
We’ve spent years analyzing blood markers to develop our patented algorithm, enabling us to create a 100% personalized supplement to support your health by optimizing your micronutrient status.
Follow the link and Use code GSPN2025 for 40% of your first month’s subscription.
www.bioniq.com/gspn2025
Zencastr
Built for quality - Designed for growth
A new era for creation is here.
The only complete audio + video platform to get best-in-class recording, intuitive editing, AI-powered growth features, and top-tier distribution tools — all in one place.
Get started for free!
We highly recommend it!
Global Sports Podcast Network - Creating the world’s first network of 30-minute podcasts for the world’s biggest sporting export, the English Premier League – developing engaging content across all sports
For advertising and sponsorship details or to learn more about the scale and demographics of our audience – email Ken Davies, VP Business & Development at:
ken.davies@globalsportspodcastnetwork.com
www.globalsportspodcastnetwork.com
Copyright | 2025 Global Sports Podcast Network | All Rights Reserved
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction and Host Backgrounds
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and hey, bonjour, hola, niya, privet, guday, wherever you are in the world and today particularly, konnichiwa.
00:00:17
Ken Davies
need
00:00:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're listening to the Road to the World Cup 26 podcast, part of the Global Sports Podcast Network, the only place, and I mean the only place, where you're going to find regular Premier League content, daily stuff coming out of the Premier League, women's football and of course the the world's only, the world's only Road to the World
Ken's Travels and Nick's Cold
00:00:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Cup podcast. We're still, Kenny, the only World Cup podcast regularly going out in the whole planet.
00:00:40
Ken Davies
The original and best, I would say.
00:00:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
How good is that? It is. I'm host, Nick Britton. As always, I'm joined by my esteemed colleague, the Beaver, who's not gnawing away a lot this week, but he is selling himself somewhere beautiful in the world.
00:00:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello, Mr. Ken Davis.
00:00:54
Ken Davies
good morning nick i am talking to you from gran canaria i seem to remember a few weeks ago i was talking to you from arrecife in uh lansarote well this seems to be my second home at the moment but yeah i'm i'm off the african coast uh doing uh doing what uh you know you should be doing here sunning myself but yeah i'm having a nice time but it's always good to catch up on world cup stuff
00:01:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Laz Rossi, weren't he? Yeah, yeah.
00:01:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
so Steady. I don't know what you'd be doing off the afternoon.
00:01:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is. You're bit bunged up today, though, aren't you? A bit of a cold.
00:01:22
Ken Davies
Oh mate, is it just from planes that you you end up with all these germs whatever?
00:01:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. you can
00:01:27
Ken Davies
I feel like i've I've caught the mother of all cold.
00:01:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:01:31
Ken Davies
It could be, and i ah say this hesitantly, it could be man flu.
00:01:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
o don't let Don't let Mrs. Davies hear you say that.
00:01:40
Ken Davies
No, could be man flu. She can hear me at the moment. So she's no flawless nightingale, that's for sure.
00:01:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
She'll be giving you no sympathy whatsoever.
00:01:48
Ken Davies
Anyway,
Focus on Japan's Football Team
00:01:49
Ken Davies
let's move on.
00:01:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anyway, we'll continue our deep dive. Yeah, enough about your health. We'll continue into our deep dive. You can tell it's the end of the week, aren't you?
00:01:57
Ken Davies
Blimey.
00:01:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Blimey. Our deep dive even into teams who have qualified for the World Cup already. And today, I'm very excited about this, by the way. I'm very excited. Today, we are featuring Japan.
00:02:18
Ken Davies
<unk>my
00:02:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
quite funerale there, national anthem, isn't it?
00:02:28
Ken Davies
Reminds me of the Hovis advert from the 70s.
00:02:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:02:31
Ken Davies
Divorce Yaks New World Symphony.
00:02:38
Ken Davies
It's not going to get you off your seat, is it?
00:02:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, let's have enough of that. Let's have enough of that. Yeah, ah' I'm not digging that one. That's ah that's a definite group stages for our World Cup with national anthem, isn't it?
00:02:46
Ken Davies
that That's low. That's lower in the World Cup National Anthems, that one.
00:02:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's a good job they've got a much better team, let's hope, than a a national anthem. So today, as always, we're going to have a ah real scoot around the issues that going on in Japan, as well as that.
00:03:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
So well well we'll be looking at the players, we'll be looking at formations, having look at the manager, the history of the of Japanese football. As well as that, there is the usual fun and games, Kenny's quiz. I've got a couple of easy ones for this week, so I've been feeling a bit bad.
00:03:11
Ken Davies
ah for to I hope so. I hope so.
00:03:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I've been feeling a bit bad you.
00:03:14
Ken Davies
you You've really been you've been youve been going to the advanced stages, the advanced levels of questions here, i think a little bit too early.
00:03:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think I have. I think I have.
00:03:25
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:03:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, you know, we'll we're going to dial it down a little bit. Bit easier stuff.
00:03:28
Ken Davies
Good man.
00:03:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bit easier stuff today. But before that,
00:03:30
Ken Davies
You fancy Japan, don't you? You fancy you've got a bit of a feeling for ji Japan?
00:03:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
well, we're going to come on to that in a little bit. I'm going to come on to, yeah, I do, is the answer i think they're going to be really good next year. I like them. I like watching them play. Before we do that, as always, we're going to kick off with a little bit of breaking news
00:03:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good shuffling as always, Ken.
00:03:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good shuffling of of papers
00:03:54
Ken Davies
Thank you.
FIFA Ticket Pricing Controversies
00:03:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
there. ah A couple of bits of news to bring you from the week's World Cup roundup. More controversy about ticket pricing. Now, the ah there's there's but it's widely reported, nothing confirmed officially, here but it's widely reported that FIFA are going to introduce dynamic pricing for 2026 World Cup ticket prices. Now, is dynamic pricing is controversial. And if you don't know what it is, essentially it means that the more popular an event gets,
00:04:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
the the higher the prices go up. So when tickets are being sold at their initial level, the more tickets are sold and the quicker they're sold, the prices start going up very steeply.
00:04:30
Ken Davies
Do these start at a cheaper price, though?
00:04:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:04:33
Ken Davies
Is it actually a it such a one-way street dynamic pricing?
00:04:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, it's not.
00:04:37
Ken Davies
Oh, yeah.
00:04:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, it's not. No, it's a two-way street. And it's interesting because whilst it receives generally quite a lot of criticism, there can be two benefits. One benefit is if you get in early, you can get a decent deal.
00:04:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
So if you buy really early, you can get a good price. And look, bear in mind, dynamic pricing has been used in the travel industry forever, isn't it?
00:04:55
Ken Davies
yeah
00:04:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Trains and planes. I mean, it's not an unusual thing. But in terms of football, it is fairly unusual. It has been tried before, but it's still fairly unusual.
00:05:02
Ken Davies
It's becoming more and more popular. It's very popular in American sports.
00:05:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it is.
00:05:06
Ken Davies
That seems to be the way forward.
00:05:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:05:08
Ken Davies
And these things have a...
00:05:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, they did it in the Super Bowl. They did in Super Bowl.
00:05:12
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:05:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And that led to a lot of criticism because the average Super Bowl prices was well over £5,150. ah five thousand one hundred and fifty pounds um So that's u k pounds, by the way.
00:05:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Translate into whatever currency you're listening to.
00:05:26
Ken Davies
That's a lot of money.
00:05:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean dollar Well, dollars, that's almost $7,000, isn't it? So, um yeah, it's it's there are i say there are pluses, I was just saying there, in as much as
00:05:29
Ken Davies
That's a lot.
00:05:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
If tickets don't sell, prices can drop. So we're just about, in ah in the next month or so, going to see the start of the World Club Championship. And FIFA have struggled to sell tickets for that.
00:05:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, they've struggled to sell tickets for that. And actually tried prices have come down as they try shift.
00:05:54
Ken Davies
be interesting to see what the average price ends up being at this World Cup compared to other World Cups. If the only thing that's changed, well, there's more than one thing that's changing, but dynamic pricing is definitely one of the things that is changing, potentially.
00:06:07
Ken Davies
But of course, there are a lot more games because there's
World Cup Qualifiers and England Squad
00:06:10
Ken Davies
48 teams. So one would argue that there'd be a lot more games which, you know, you' got smaller teams against smaller teams.
00:06:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah so It's the smaller teams, isn't it? It's the teams that everybody wants to watch that where the prices are going to go through the roof.
00:06:21
Ken Davies
ah
00:06:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
The smaller teams where there isn't that much demand and they're not going to sell out, you could actually pick up a bargain if you wanted to go and watch those teams play. So we'll see.
00:06:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll see. Tickets are going on to in in the autumn, in the fall, and in Q3 to the general public. So we'll see then kind of what happens and how it's going to play out.
00:06:43
Ken Davies
Interesting.
00:06:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we'll see on that.
00:06:44
Ken Davies
Watch this space.
00:06:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, um and just another little bit of news for you. Squad's now starting to be announced for the upcoming qualifiers, which kick off again in June. So we're looking forward to June. We're going to have two or three podcasts dedicated entirely to the qualifiers because we think that there's going to be quite a lot decided, don't we, in June?
00:06:59
Ken Davies
Some big games coming up in June. Can't wait for that.
00:07:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. England Squad, seeing as we're based in England, England Squad was announced this morning. So very much hot off the press. This is very much breaking news. I ought to play the jingle again, but I won't. ah couple of couple of surprising bits to that.
00:07:16
Ken Davies
and and and Any Knott's Forest players?
00:07:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I'll tell you what, Angry Matt, that's the first thing look for, in case Angry Matt, who is our resident correspondent who lives in Nottingham and seems to be angry about absolutely everything in the world.
00:07:23
Ken Davies
Yeah, exactly.
00:07:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Furious, of course, that Morgan Gibbs-White, Nottingham Forest player, was omitted from the previous squad. He's in this. He's in. Thankfully, he's in.
00:07:37
Ken Davies
Thank God for that.
00:07:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know.
00:07:38
Ken Davies
We can all breathe again.
00:07:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know. I think we can i can like can. My postman will not be quaking with fear anymore.
00:07:43
Ken Davies
do you mean?
00:07:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
with Sacks of letters from angry Matt. So he'll be happy, i think, or at least a little bit less angry. He might even have got out of bed the right side today.
00:07:52
Ken Davies
Thank God.
00:07:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
We don't know. ah ah But bret I'll tell you who's in. Ivan Toney's in. So, um former Brentford striker, last played in the, when did last play in the finals of the European Championship last year?
00:08:00
Ken Davies
Yes.
00:08:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Played for England and Spain for against Spain in the final. Then, of course, moved from Brentford to the Saudi Pro League. And we kind of thought, well, that's it. We'll never hear from him.
00:08:13
Ken Davies
That's the end of Tony, yeah.
00:08:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah. But he's had a good season. scored lots of goals. They've won the championship over there. And he's back in the England squad.
00:08:20
Ken Davies
He's a great player.
00:08:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:08:21
Ken Davies
I'd like to see him back in the Premier League, to be honest.
Japan's Football History and Development
00:08:23
Ken Davies
I think he's a really, really good player.
00:08:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
I would. Totally agree with that. Totally agree. um Also in is Connor Gallagher from Atletico. He's another one who we felt should have been in the squad last time.
00:08:32
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:08:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absentees, Phil Foden's not in it. he's had ah He's had a difficult season. He's been talking this week about his mental health, but also he's had an ankle injury. um marcu A couple of injuries, so Marcus Rashford, Adam Wharton and his Crystal Palace colleague, Mark Gahey, they would have been in it, they're not.
00:08:49
Ken Davies
Yeah,
00:08:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
They both got injured in the FA Cup final recently.
00:08:54
Ken Davies
they should have been. Have you started Jordan Henderson?
00:08:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
It still feels, so I'll come to that in moment, it still feels quite experimental experience. quite an experimental squad No Jarrah Bowen, by the way.
00:09:06
Ken Davies
We are.
00:09:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
No Jarrah Bowen. Now, you and I are big fans of Jarrah Bowen.
00:09:10
Ken Davies
we are
00:09:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
and So it still feels like he's he's still looking at players, leading players out who who will make it next year.
00:09:18
Ken Davies
It's a transitional period.
00:09:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, Bowen's got be in the squad next year.
00:09:19
Ken Davies
It clearly feels transitional, doesn't it, the moment?
00:09:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100%. um So, yeah, we'll see. We'll see. Interestingly, no Manchester United players whatsoever. And that's that's got to be a first ah for a long while, but not a great surprise.
00:09:30
Ken Davies
Wow.
00:09:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
And to answer your question, yeah, Jordan Henderson is in there. just Just for you.
00:09:35
Ken Davies
Yeah, I mean the the day i know the day I know things are moving forward is when Jordan Henderson is not in that team, to be honest.
00:09:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just for you.
00:09:43
Ken Davies
Not must-do.
00:09:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah and them Yeah. I'm so i'm kind of surprised he is. like we We had this discussion last time, didn't we? well Where I did understand why he was in the first squad, just to bring a bit of experience, bring that link between players. It was Thomas Tuchel's first squad.
00:09:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know why he's still in it, if I'm honest with
00:09:58
Ken Davies
No, no me. No me.
00:09:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know one.
00:09:59
Ken Davies
There you go.
00:10:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anyway, there we are. ah So there's a little bit of World Cup news for you. And we'll obviously keep bringing you that every single week. Right. OK, we're focusing on Japan today. So, Ken, as always, your regular slot here, looking at the history of the team we're looking at. So take it away.
00:10:17
Ken Davies
I will. And it's an interesting story, Japan, I think, in the sense of let's start with the basics representing the AFC, that's the Asian Football Confederation.
00:10:29
Ken Davies
ah And it's always tricky with these teams because the standard of competition in the AFC isn't great. It's probably one of the weaker confederations within FIFA.
00:10:42
Ken Davies
So history prior to 1980, largely Japanese football was amateur. ah There was no professional leagues. There was no notable players.
00:10:53
Ken Davies
And professionalism really only hit the Japanese football ah game, if you like, in the 1990s. And they very quickly, though, emerged as one of the dominant forces in ah in Asia. In fact,
00:11:07
Ken Davies
one might say we were talking the other week about the chinese experience in football japan has really been an inspiration into how to introduce football because it was never particularly popular it was way behind baseball way behind sumo in terms of sports in in japan but it's just built its momentum slowly but inexorably over the years lot of a lot of countries could follow that so
00:11:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:11:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, they've also invested very heavily in grassroots and youth. And that's the key.
00:11:37
Ken Davies
They do.
00:11:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're quite right. We did talk about China. and we We talked about one of the problems with China is that they just didn't invest in grassroots and youth. Therefore, there's just nothing coming through. And as you you're absolutely spot on, they started doing this very early on. So they're now seeing the real benefits of players who they started investing in 20 years ago
00:11:54
Ken Davies
Yeah, absolutely right. And one of the things you see noticeably in and in Japanese footballers, and we'll come onto this later, is just how technically adept they are. You technically extremely skilled players.
00:12:05
Ken Davies
So really, though, since the end of the nineteen ninety s they've they've been a powerhouse in terms of World Cup qualification. They've qualified for every World Cup since 1998. ninety eight so ah They got through the group stages in 2002, 2010, 2018, 2022. So again, an inexorable rise in terms of their World Cup prowess, if you like.
00:12:30
Ken Davies
Going back to 1998, the first World Cup appearance, they lost all three games. Argentina 1-0, Croatia 1-0, Jamaica 2-1. 2002, they were the host team ah with South Korea, if my memory serves me correctly. Oh, no, that was 2022, wasn't it? ah Anyway.
00:12:49
Ken Davies
ah They drew with Belgium 2-2. They beat Russia 1-0. They beat Tunisia 2-0. So, 2002 a good tournament for them. Group stages in 2006, round of 16 in 2010, group stages in 2014, and round of 16 2018, the last one, 2022. But 2022 was really interesting experience them in terms World Cup.
00:13:08
Ken Davies
and round of sixteen in twenty eighteen and in the last one twenty twenty two but twenty twenty two was a really interesting experience for them in terms of wo cup some extremely noticeable performances. They beat Germany and they beat Spain in the group stages. on Germany, two on Spain, lost to Costa Rica in the group stages, but stillwart still went through and were knocked out in penalties by Croatia.
00:13:36
Ken Davies
uh croatia finishing third in 2022 so that was extraordinarily strong performance and their performances since the world cup has been very very strong as well excellently over the last 10 games the one eighth they've drawn two here's question for you nick i always like to throw one into you over the last 10 games Japan have scored 34 goals.
00:14:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's very good.
00:14:04
Ken Davies
How many they... Very good. How many have they conceded in the last 10 games?
00:14:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, the last thing, you've qualifiers, you've had Asian Cup games, yeah. We've had Asian Cup games during those last time.
00:14:18
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:14:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've had friendlies, not many, five
00:14:24
Ken Davies
Two.
00:14:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Two, wow.
00:14:26
Ken Davies
Two.
00:14:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow.
00:14:27
Ken Davies
Conceded two. Now...
00:14:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
was going to say three. I thought well that's probably a little bit too conservative. Two is very impressive.
00:14:32
Ken Davies
Two goals in 10 games. Now, the quality of the opposition, again, you always got to say that in the Asian conference, ah but they're just rolling out 3-0, 5-0, 4-0, 7-0, 3-0, 2-1.
00:14:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:14:42
Ken Davies
I mean, it's just out that's how it's gone over the last games. They are ranked 15th in the FIFA World Rankings. They were, back in 1998, when they first qualified for the World Cup, called they were ranked 9th in the world.
00:15:00
Ken Davies
So they came from nowhere to 9th by 1998. By... nineteen ninety eight by July 2018, they have fallen away. and What you do see in terms of their ranking, it's like ah an extra rise, a fall away, an extra rise, fall away.
00:15:16
Ken Davies
So in 2018, they were ranked as low as 61st, but they've had another pretty rapid ascent in the meantime, and now currently ranked 15. fifteen Big rivalry with South Korea.
00:15:28
Ken Davies
ah We see a lot of, we see in the Premier League, we see Japanese players, we see South Korean players. They are the two big Eastern footballing giants. Probably could include Australia in that.
00:15:40
Ken Davies
But Japan and South Korea,
00:15:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
but i don't I don't think can. I don't think you can. but don't I don't think Australia are on the level as Japan the career.
00:15:45
Ken Davies
They're not on the level of Japan or South Korea. so so that's that's Japan. So what we've seen really from only in the nineteen ninety s really getting started, ah very rapid rise, highly technical players, very competent, clearly, tactically, they're very, very adept and no doubt 15th in the world.
00:16:10
Ken Davies
And i think
Key Players and Tactical Formations
00:16:11
Ken Davies
looking forward to a very big championship.
00:16:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
One of the most interesting things about Japan and the rise of Japanese football, and you've absolutely underlined this, is the real societal shift in this generation.
00:16:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
of multicultural players. So going back the gen through the generations, you would never see a Japan player or indeed a lot of people in in in Japanese society who weren't what I would call purebred, i.e.
00:16:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
people who had Japanese mothers and fathers. ah But as as society changes and multicultur you get more multicultural players coming in, they are bringing much more to the game. And it's not just football. we think of Naomi Osaka, who's one of the top tennis players in the world.
00:16:55
Ken Davies
yeah
00:16:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah she's she' is She has jap different ah japanese one Japanese parent and a non-Japanese parent.
00:17:01
Ken Davies
yeah
00:17:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
And yeahre we're seeing more of this in Japanese football. And ah that is that's really helping because you're having players who have played and been brought up elsewhere in other football environments who are able to play for Japan and bring an awful lot to so the squad.
00:17:04
Ken Davies
yeah
00:17:17
Ken Davies
Yeah, they that there there they're a fascinating team. i'm And we will talk about some of the key players, but you put your finger on it. When you go down the list of the of the players and where they're playing, they're playing at the highest level, ah no question. And, you know, they've got a lot of European experience.
00:17:36
Ken Davies
ah You know, there's absolutely no reason why they don't so ah make a ah big noise, I think, in the next World Cup.
00:17:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:17:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Very much so. we We're going to have a look at five key players in just a moment. Before that, Ken, maybe a word from our sponsors.
00:17:49
Ken Davies
Yeah, Global Sports Podcast Network, which this is, of course, a part of. And by the way, if you're enjoying what we're doing, make sure you subscribe. Make sure you press the little like button.
00:18:02
Ken Davies
And Global Sports Podcast Network is partnered with Bionique, the world's most personalized supplements, because your body is unique. My body feels a bit unique this morning, I have to tell you.
00:18:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, not in a good way. no no You need some supplements.
00:18:14
Ken Davies
Not in a good way. No, maybe because I haven't had my share of these things. Yeah, I need a few supplements because without knowing what your deficiencies you have, and I've got plenty at the moment, taking off-the-shelf supplements means that you're probably not getting what you need.
00:18:26
Ken Davies
You're probably taking too much of what you don't need. So, Bionique provide 100% tailor-made supplements designed to deliver precisely what your body needs. I need an orange juice today, i think.
00:18:38
Ken Davies
app Click the link in the show notes. Use the code GSPN2025 for your 40% discount off your first order. Over to you, Nick.
00:18:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you very much right we're going to have a look at five key players who play for Japan. It's always a good sign, Ken. It's always a good sign when you're struggling to find... but only only do five.
00:18:56
Ken Davies
Only five.
00:18:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
like ah Yeah, I could have i could have done 10 out of Japan, ah but but I've nailed it down to five key players across the team because I like to spread it out across the team.
00:18:59
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:19:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
So the first one is is the goalkeeper, ah Zion Suzuki.
00:19:10
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:19:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
So good that Japan named an entire car corporation after him. That's how good he is.
00:19:16
Ken Davies
Blimey. Yeah, that's right. The Zion.
00:19:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
a if yeah i We should all drive a Zion.
00:19:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
He is born in Newark, in New Jersey, to a Ghanaian father and a Japanese mother. This is what I'm talking about. You're seeing these players come. this is This is the kind of reference I was making a moment ago. He left the United States at an early age, moved to Japan.
00:19:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's gone through all the age ranks, because he's still you know he's he's only 22 years old, but he's gone through all the the age ranks through Japan, made his debut for the men's team in 2022, and since last year has been very much first choice goalkeeper.
00:19:53
Ken Davies
Yeah, he's never present, no question about that.
00:19:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, plays for Parma and he became the first Japanese goalkeeper to play in Serie A. His save rate this season, by the way, in Serie A, 68.5%.
00:20:05
Ken Davies
Wow.
00:20:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's impressive.
00:20:06
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:20:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
lets in Less than one and a half goals per game, which is good for Parma because they're struggling Serie They're not having a great season.
00:20:12
Ken Davies
That's one of the positions, isn't it? We've never associated Japanese goalkeepers as being the best in the world. I personally haven't, but maybe you know that's changing.
00:20:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Why? Why? Okay. Well, okay. Then this all goes back to this this all goes back to what what we're talking about here in terms of in terms of cultural change. So traditionally, they've been quite a small nation.
00:20:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is that fair to say?
00:20:32
Ken Davies
Yeah, physically, physically short.
00:20:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
In terms of height of player. Height of player, yeah? This guy was born in New Jersey. ah He's six foot two.
00:20:40
Ken Davies
Right.
00:20:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
So he's good good height for a goalkeeper.
00:20:44
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:20:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's attracting a lot of interest, by the way. ah but tell you who I'll tell you where you might see him next year. You might see him at Man United. Because Man United have been in and out for him over the last couple of years.
00:20:52
Ken Davies
Wow.
00:20:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Onana, as we've previously discussed in this podcast, has had a pretty iffy season ah between stickles.
00:20:59
Ken Davies
Yeah, on top of a pretty iffy season.
00:21:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah. um Chelsea were in for him as well, were in for as well, showing interest, et cetera, cetera, cetera. So, look, he's on the up. He's 22 years old. He's a good keeper. So, he's my first pick.
00:21:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Second pick is Ko Itakaru, who plays for Borussia Mönchengladbach. He's 28 years old, very experienced centre-back who can also play left-back. So,
00:21:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think you're going to talk about formation in a bit, but so Japan have been playing a back three and he can play either in the middle or on the left-hand side.
00:21:28
Ken Davies
Yeah, he's the centre of the backstory really.
00:21:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Very, very reliable, very solid, good in the air, six foot two, aerial power, you know as we've just discussed, is not something Japan is particularly strong on. um The likelihood is he's going to leave Mönchengladbach this summer.
00:21:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bayern and Tottenham are um reportedly amongst his suitors. So there's going to be demand for his signature as well. and Third player is a player very well known to anybody who watches Premier League.
00:21:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that is Wataru Endo. So he plays at Liverpool as a defensive midfielder. Also plays centre-half if he needs to. He's the captain of Japan's national team. He's got 69 caps.
00:22:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah he His biggest strengths, I think, if anybody's seen him play, he rats around. In other words, he breaks up play, he gets on the loose ball, he gets players, you know, he's he's one of those, yeah, one of those destroyers, if you like, just recycle, recycle, recycle.
00:22:18
Ken Davies
Yeah, loads of energy. It just never stops, does it?
00:22:24
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:22:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
and The likelihood, he he did really, he's been at Liverpool for two years, he did really well in his first year under Jurgen Klopp. Second year with under Arnie Schlott, he's barely played. He's been a sub, he's been a sub, he hasn't played much.
00:22:35
Ken Davies
No.
00:22:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, is likely to leave, I think, in the summer. I mean, Slott, Slott, I think, it's nothing personal. I think he just likes the ball playing. Number six, he's got Ryan Gravenberch in there.
00:22:47
Ken Davies
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:22:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's been doing a brilliant job all season, rather than just a destroyer.
00:22:50
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:22:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's 31 years old, so he's the wrong end of 30, but he's got a lot to offer. There are some top-level clubs who are circling for him, so he can still attract that interest. I expect him to be an influential character in Japan's World Cup team next year.
00:23:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Right, number number four.
00:23:06
Ken Davies
Hmm.
00:23:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
is Brighton and Hove Albion's flying right winger, one of the most exciting players in the Premier League, and that's Karu Mitoma.
00:23:16
Ken Davies
Yeah, good play.
00:23:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah He scored a great goal, actually, against Liverpool last week. but But you've got, if you haven't seen this, by the way, if you haven't seen this, get onto Google. Not right now, because I want you to listen to the podcast.
00:23:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
But when you finish listening to this podcast, get onto Google and go and punch in Brighton's goal of the season, which Matoma scored against Chelsea.
00:23:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'll just try and describe it to you, although my description might do it justice. He's he' upfield. The Brighton goalkeeper's got the ball in his hands in his own area and punts it long upfield. Okay?
00:23:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Matoma's running forward with close attention from defenders. The ball comes over his shoulder OK, he controls it first time with both feet in the air, controls it on his right foot.
00:24:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
OK, takes one touch inside ah Trevor Chaliver, the Chelsea defender, and bends it into the goalkeeper's bottom left. It is an unbelievable goal.
00:24:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, please go and watch it. It is an unbelievable goal. That's what this kid can do. Sensational, sensational.
00:24:24
Ken Davies
No, it's great.
00:24:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's had a great season at Brighton.
00:24:25
Ken Davies
Absolutely great, isn't it?
00:24:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he's become the first Japanese player.
00:24:27
Ken Davies
And Brighton have had a great season. He's been absolutely key in Brighton's rise this year.
00:24:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and they've had a very good season again, haven't they? They've just fallen short, we think, of Europe this year, but they've had a good season.
00:24:35
Ken Davies
Hmm. Hmm.
00:24:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Brighton turned down £75 million, pounds by the way, from the Saudi Pro League. That's sort of the value we're talking i know slightly inflated values the Saudi Pro League, but that's the kind of value we're talking about. And Liverpool are reportedly sniffing around the same sort of value for this summer.
00:24:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
So Brighton, who are you know they're known to be a sort of club who build players up, bring them in cheap, build them up, sell them for a lot of money. This could be another one of those. ah But Mitome was a great player. He famously wrote his his university thesis, by the way, on dribbling and then attached a kind of GoPro camera to his head to practice it and see what worked and see what didn't work and see how defenders behaved and all that whilst he was running at them and wrote his university thesis.
00:25:17
Ken Davies
What are you, mate?
00:25:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:19
Ken Davies
He's a bright lad, isn't He's a bright lad.
00:25:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
So the kid knows how to play. Yeah. Great player, great player. Trajectory is only headed one way with this lad. He's brilliant. And then my last one is ah another striker called Takafu... ta a food ta of yeah I knew I'd struggle with this one.
00:25:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Takafuso Kubo. And I hope I've got that right. Takafuso Kubo, who plays the real Sociedad.
00:25:35
Ken Davies
Yep.
00:25:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Very versatile player. He has the ability to play wide or up front in an attacking midfield role. He can play deeper central. Again, he's young. You know, so he's got Japan have got a sort of a lot of good, energetic youth on the side. He's only 23 years old.
Light-Hearted Quiz on Japan
00:25:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah He was part of the Japanese side that, as you mentioned a moment ago, beat Spain and Germany in the last World Cup. and you know he's he's he's on form he umform he's a very exciting player I think the general perception of him is that he needs to add a few more goals to his game to take him up to that next level where he can get signed by a top European side but he's a great dribbler of the ball called I had a look at La Liga's ah data, their big data hub.
00:26:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And he's not only one of the most influential players at Real Sociedad, but ranks amongst the league's top 10 in completed dribbles.
00:26:22
Ken Davies
I
00:26:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
So he's very good with the ball at his feet. To be fair, looking at you with that horrendous cold, mate, you might be the top 10 dribbles today as well.
00:26:40
Ken Davies
think so I was going to write a thesis on dribbling later on this afternoon actually.
00:26:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:45
Ken Davies
all unpeable love a moment I'm trying to work out which side of my mouth to dribble out of, that's all.
00:26:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
So...
00:26:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sociedad, let's leave that thought. I don't want to be looking at that.
00:26:54
Ken Davies
Okay. Hmm.
00:26:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sociedad are unlikely to qualify for Europe this year. So that might mean that Kubo's on the move. Atletico Madrid seem favourite for his signature at the moment.
00:27:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
He did play for Real one stage, so I don't think that's going to go down too well with Real supporters. But so yeah, so there there are five players. I'm going to just just add on, if I may, ah special mention for two players. This is, as I say, struggled to get five because I could have done 10 here.
00:27:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah One is Takahiro Tomiasso, who plays for Arsenal, and he's just finishing his second season at Arsenal.
00:27:26
Ken Davies
He's
00:27:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he's he's a really, really good defender.
00:27:30
Ken Davies
done well. He's done very well.
00:27:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah can play right or centre, so he can do very well. And big up, also big up for ah one of my favourite players at moment, who's Daichi Kamada, plays Crystal Palace, just won the FA Cup with a famous, famous victory over Manchester City, the first major trophy Palace have ever won.
00:27:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
um it did He signed so last summer, he took his time to find his feet in the Premier League. Palace didn't have a good start. First half the season, they were pretty poor. but They've had an excellent second half season.
00:28:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's really now made his mark on the team in that kind of midfield area alongside Adam Walkman, Will Hughes.
00:28:06
Ken Davies
Thank
00:28:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we look forward very to seeing him play next season. So they are some of Japan's top, top players.
00:28:15
Ken Davies
Yeah, that's a really interesting analysis. e There's a couple I made a note of as well, which we'll come to when we're talking about formation. One of the things it just headlines, one of the things it just just makes very clear, i think, is the strength and depth Japan have got.
00:28:27
Ken Davies
You know, when we talk about some of the teams previously that we've talked about on this, we say, well, you know, the the first 11 is a good 11. But once you get past that first 11, you know, maybe ah it is...
00:28:40
Ken Davies
you know, maybe the strength and depth isn't there. The strength and depth is clearly there, I think, in terms of Japan. And, and you know, all points in the right direction, really.
00:28:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
It does. So we've talked about a players. What about the formations then? what are they how do they so How do they set out on a Saturday afternoon?
00:28:56
Ken Davies
well it's it's a very it's very interesting formation japan news which is a three four two one which i've not come across the three four two one in the other analyses that we've done so looking and and that just seems to be the the uh uh hajime uh mariasu's preferred
00:29:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
so yeah It's the old Christmas tree formation, Is it?
00:29:17
Ken Davies
it kind of is yeah it is it is but three at the back
00:29:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
two
00:29:21
Ken Davies
Yeah, i you know, we've got we've got four across the kind of defensive midfield.
00:29:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:26
Ken Davies
You've got two two advanced midfielders straight forwards and then you've got you've got a point man at the top. So Suzuki in goal, as you've mentioned, this is a pretty settled team as well, which is the other thing that you see. You see good teams tend to be settled teams.
00:29:42
Ken Davies
ah It's a corner in ah in the centre of midfield. He's he's an ever-present. You've then got a a pretty solid defensive midfield. Endo, you mentioned, is a key player.
00:29:53
Ken Davies
Marito, Mitoma, of course, on the wing. ah Dohu, Kulo and Minamino, who are up front, if you like, as that as the as the front two, with with a mix of of forwards. Agawa, Meida, Ueda have all been...
00:30:12
Ken Davies
played up front. so But it's that 3-4-2-1, very solid, consistent made. They know the formation. That's the good thing about Japan. They know their roles. ah They know that what they need to do. And they keep churning the results on the back of that formation. So I think that's what we're going to be looking forward to.
00:30:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
everything Everything about it says settled, organized, well-drilled Japan. it doesn't it i mean
00:30:37
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:30:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's exactly what you'd expect, quite frankly. That's exactly what
00:30:40
Ken Davies
well Well, yeah, but I mean, there's no reason why other teams can't do the same, but you don't often see it. But
Japan's Manager and World Cup Ambitions
00:30:45
Ken Davies
Japan, I think I've got that, got yeah a very clear set of a very clear set rules, clear set of roles. Everybody knows exactly what what they're what their role is and they do it very well.
00:30:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
expect. Very good, very good.
00:31:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's everybody's favorite time of the week. Everybody in the entire world ever. Apart from, of course, Ken. But it's time for Kenny's quiz.
00:31:14
Ken Davies
Wow, looking forward to this. don't take a drink before I do this?
00:31:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, now then, as I said earlier on the podcast, I felt a bit bad. I felt a bit bad. The last few weeks, Ken, you've got very little right. Beaver.
00:31:28
Ken Davies
Story of my life.
00:31:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Beaver.
00:31:30
Ken Davies
Did I get the beaver right? I got the beaver right.
00:31:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, Beaver. hence Hence your new nickname, the Beaver. You've got the Beaver, right? And we spent quite a long time talking about beavers. And we'll we'll gloss over that. and But I've decided to make Kenny's quiz a bit easier this week.
00:31:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I've been feeling a bit bad.
00:31:44
Ken Davies
Oh, thanks.
00:31:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you've and you've got a cold. And you're holiday.
00:31:46
Ken Davies
Oh, terrible.
00:31:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, mate, I want to yeah um to cheer you up.
00:31:48
Ken Davies
I'm on holiday.
00:31:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I want to cheer you up. I want you to have a good day on holiday and not be worried about getting answers wrong.
00:31:53
Ken Davies
Thanks, but yeah
00:31:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
So i've I've dialed these down to primary school level types of questions. ah So two questions.
00:32:00
Ken Davies
mate. Oh, no. If I get these wrong, then... i mean, it's...
00:32:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Two questions.
00:32:06
Ken Davies
I won't be able to face it. I won't turn up next week. Go on.
00:32:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Right, question one.
00:32:11
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:32:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
What is the Shinkansen concept? which is the form of transport from Kagoshima to Hokkaido, better known as.
00:32:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Come on Japan's really famous for this. What is Shinkansen?
00:32:25
Ken Davies
Well, that can only be one thing.
00:32:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
The form of transport, yeah, the form of transport, and I'm nodding my head again, the form of transport from Kagoshima to Hokkaido, better known as.
00:32:33
Ken Davies
The bullet train.
00:32:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is the bullet train! Well done!
00:32:38
Ken Davies
The bullet train.
00:32:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, mate.
00:32:39
Ken Davies
Well, can't be anything else, can it? What else is going to be? Rickshaw?
00:32:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
last's a Well, that's my point. I said I'd make these easy for you because I wanted to cheer you up.
00:32:44
Ken Davies
Ah, thanks, mate. appreciate that.
00:32:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:32:46
Ken Davies
that So that makes it two tunes, doesn't it? and to
00:32:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you've got... It's about thirty five two ah ah It's nice to see you with a smile on your face then.
00:32:51
Ken Davies
It moves by two.
00:32:55
Ken Davies
Ah, God, that's been a long time coming home.
00:32:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
You celebrated like Wrexham had scored a 90th minute winner then. That was good. Well done.
00:33:00
Ken Davies
It felt like that. It felt like Paul Mullin just put one in from 30 yards.
00:33:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is that Paul Mullin 2022? That's about the last time he did that.
00:33:07
Ken Davies
Yeah. Yeah, it is. He hasn't had a game all year. All
00:33:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Right, question two.
00:33:14
Ken Davies
right, roll.
00:33:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Question two, mate. This is even easier, I think.
00:33:17
Ken Davies
Mm-hmm.
00:33:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah In Japan, and but but play play along at home, by the way, play along at home, shout out the answer if you know this. ah In Japan, only qualified chefs who have trained for at least three years are allowed to prepare the dish fugu.
00:33:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because fugu is made from what? Poisonous animal.
00:33:38
Ken Davies
ah
00:33:41
Ken Davies
I do know this. It's a fish, I think.
00:33:48
Ken Davies
Yeah, it's a fish. and it's if is
00:33:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
um've got poker i've got I've got a poker face on here because I need a bit more.
00:33:54
Ken Davies
You need more than a fish. and mean, do you want his actual name, like Kevin or something?
00:33:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:59
Ken Davies
is
00:34:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
I could do with some... I'm quite hungry, actually. I could do with a bit more than...
00:34:03
Ken Davies
patient this so do you actually want the species of fish
00:34:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
fish
00:34:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, because that's the point. The whole point is it's a poisonous animal, so it's not going to be cod, is it? Because then nobody's... and If you said, like, oh, it's just fish, nobody in the world is now going to go out and have fish for dinner because they're going to be terrified they're going get poisoned.
00:34:19
Ken Davies
so you want the actual species of woogu woogu fogu fugu yeah fugu
00:34:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
So you've got to be a little bit more specific. Fugu.
00:34:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fugu. Yeah. So if you don't prepare it properly, if you never watched The Simpsons, the Simpsons have done a brilliant episode on this, by the way. But yeah, so if you if you prepare it incorrectly, it's fatal, which is why you've got to train for three years to do it properly.
00:34:38
Ken Davies
Yeah Yeah, but but think but it's a type of do what you want the actual species of fish Okay the fugu
00:34:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
So you're right. It is a type of fish. It's a type of fish. Yes.
00:34:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes. I'm not giving. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Because fish is not, it's too vague. bit It's a bit like saying, yeah, go on. Stop looking at Google. You're looking it up. I can see it.
00:34:55
Ken Davies
um' not I'm not I'm not I'm not i just i just can't believe it I can't believe you you're asking this kind of detail ah the food game
00:34:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Stop TV.
00:35:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can see Stop TV. I can't believe you don't know the answer to this.
00:35:04
Ken Davies
foin
00:35:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Everybody's shouting at their phones right now saying, come on, Ken.
00:35:06
Ken Davies
but
00:35:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
We know what this is.
00:35:08
Ken Davies
The fugu is a type of
00:35:15
Ken Davies
stingray.
00:35:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Incorrect. but You were so close because you said Fugu was a type of... Oh, he's gone. He's gone. Ken's gone. Oh, no.
00:35:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's left. He's in Gran Canaria. He's in Gran Canaria and his Wi-Fi must have just disappeared. Or, more likely than that, he didn't know the answer to what a fugu was.
00:35:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
He got the answer wrong and he's just left in shame. He's just left in shame. Well, I'm not going to keep you hanging on, listeners, because I'm sure you know the answer to this, but the fugu is a type of puffer fish.
00:35:55
Ken Davies
Hello, I'm back.
00:35:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
a type of puffer fish. So there we go. it' so If you don't make it correctly, you'll die. That's why chefs have to be trained for at least three years in order to prepare it effectively.
00:36:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that was this week's quiz. Ken gets one out of two.
00:36:10
Ken Davies
the prop
00:36:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
So 50%, not a bad effort because normally he gets 0%. ah zero percent We'll see if he rejoins the call. He may or may not. Who knows? Anyway, you like we're going to move on, though. The last bit of the podcast is looking at the manager. So a quick look at Hajime Moriasu.
00:36:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
who's 54 years old. He's got a lot of experience. He's played as well as managed. I'm a big fan. I'm a big fan of his, I'm not going lie. And what I like about him particularly is that he's unashamedly and outwardly ambitious.
00:36:34
Ken Davies
I don't know what's going on then. my
00:36:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that's quite unusual in terms of Japanese culture.
00:36:40
Ken Davies
swing
00:36:43
Ken Davies
released on friday april
00:36:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's not something you get often from Japan.
00:36:46
Ken Davies
eighteenth
00:36:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
they're normally very humble, very quiet.
00:36:47
Ken Davies
it's going up there five i believe
00:36:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
They just kind of get on. They don't over-celebrate.
00:36:50
Ken Davies
want miss this one
00:36:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
They don't um get too too down if they lose.
00:36:52
Ken Davies
so subscribe and make sure
00:36:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a very steady, solid road here.
00:36:55
Ken Davies
as soon as it's
00:36:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
So for Moriasu to be talking about winning the World Cup is something extraordinary. And that's what he's been talking about. i mean, not necessarily next year, but you know in in on the horizon, if you like, for Japan to win the World Cup.
00:37:05
Ken Davies
Nate, are you doing?
00:37:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he's also really big on what he calls evolving the game. So not just talking about what's going on on the pitch, but increasing the depth of squad off the pitch as well. So increasing accessibility to the game, increasing the fan base.
00:37:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's sort of taken this entire... Oh, he's back. thank Thank goodness for that. ah We thought we thought so you'd disappeared for good because you got the answer to Kenny's quiz wrong.
00:37:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you thought it was a stingray when, in fact, it was a puffer fish. and And you nearly got... I thought you were going it right, actually can because you went, it's a puffer... Stingray. And I thought you could say put as in puffer fish.
00:37:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
But no. Anyway, there we are. So just to carry on with then the manager, Hajime Moriasu. As I say, e he's really good in terms of what he wants to do with the game, how he wants to evolve it.
00:38:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Lots of ambitious talk about winning the World Cup, which is so unusual. Nobody expects him to win it next year. He says he only to now and only wants to play teams now
00:38:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know what's going on. Ken's got some music. I don't know.
00:38:18
Ken Davies
see bro away
00:38:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's got some music coming on from somewhere. ah
00:38:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, Ken's just playing an advert in the background. ah Right. Apologies for this.
00:38:29
Ken Davies
I can hear you.
00:38:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Technical issues.
00:38:30
Ken Davies
Can you hear me?
00:38:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
but that's what you're trying to Trying to run a podcast from different parts of the world here. Anyway, let's finish off with Mori Asik.
00:38:36
Ken Davies
No, that seems to be a podcast that was coming through.
00:38:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
He said he only wants to play teams above Japan in the FIFA rankings between the end of qualifying June and the finals.
00:38:39
Ken Davies
I don't know why that podcast was coming through. I apologize for that, but it is ah that is a damn good podcast there.
00:38:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
So he wants the team to improve and improve massively.
00:38:47
Ken Davies
Yeah, it's good. Sorry about that.
00:38:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
doesn't want any kind of dollies or gimme games.
00:38:48
Ken Davies
I don't know what happened there. I think the internet went a bit funny over here.
00:38:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
He only wants to play better teams, which is good. and And he talks not only about successes at World Cups, ah about being competitive and doing well on the pitch, but needing the pride of the nation behind you
00:38:57
Ken Davies
couldn't believe it. It was a puffer fishing thing, was it?
00:39:02
Ken Davies
No, you're
00:39:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
to propel you forward. So there's loads going on there, which is so much more about managing a football club.
00:39:09
Ken Davies
fine.
00:39:12
Ken Davies
Yeah, well, there you go.
00:39:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
but it's It's just, he's really, i don't know.
00:39:13
Ken Davies
yeah Well, thanks for that. should have known that. I do feel was a bit of a fault.
00:39:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
He really impressed me. i'll find him quite an inspirational character, I think. um he's He's been involved since, well, he was appointed manager and after Qatar 2022, but he was actually assistant coach at the Russia 2018. He's got two World Cups behind him.
00:39:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
As Ken said earlier on, under his stewardship in the World Cup, they've beaten Germany, Spain, and they only lost to Croatia on penalties.
00:39:35
Ken Davies
Well, I think it's it's pretty difficult to get a fix on Japan.
00:39:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
So he knows how to get the best out of this team.
00:39:38
Ken Davies
It's always difficult really to understand how good or how bad a team is from the Asian Football Conference.
00:39:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Win rate for Japan since he took over 70%. 70%. seventy percent So, you know, that's really, really impressive.
00:39:46
Ken Davies
That's one of the things I think we've learned.
00:39:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
It just feels to me that Japan are on a
Predictions and Episode Conclusion
00:39:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
hard trajectory and he's very much the right man to take them forward.
00:39:50
Ken Davies
I am though looking back to the last World Cup, which was a really stellar performance by Japan.
00:39:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, going bring in Ken now, who, I don't know what's going on here.
00:39:55
Ken Davies
They didn't get further than round of 16, but actually, you know, the performances were outstanding.
00:39:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Can you hear me, Ken, from wherever you are in the world?
00:40:01
Ken Davies
ah
00:40:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I can. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:40:02
Ken Davies
So for me, it's either round 16 or round eight.
00:40:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
cool i also heard you play an advert or something a minute ago coming out of where your laptop.
00:40:05
Ken Davies
I don't see them getting further than that. I like the consistency. They are capable of beating anyone.
00:40:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's okay.
00:40:13
Ken Davies
ah
00:40:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Was it good? Two podcasts for the price of one here, people.
00:40:15
Ken Davies
I'm going to say round eight, for they will get as far as the round of eight, but I think that's as far as they'll get.
00:40:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:40:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it's the fact you got Pufferfish wrong and you you lobbed your laptop at the wall in anger.
00:40:23
Ken Davies
So that would be my prediction. What about you, Nick?
00:40:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that's probably wrong. So the answer was Pufferfish.
00:40:30
Ken Davies
Yes, quarterfinal.
00:40:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah, yeah. And I was saying that you you I thought you were going to get it right because you said when when you were about to announce the answer and you went, put, and then you went Stingray. And I thought you to
00:40:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
to For fish. So, yeah. Yeah, I think you were a bit a fool. OK, let's get on with the last, very last bit of podcast here before the internet collapses completely. And that is, of course, our predictions. How do we think Japan are going to do?
00:40:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ken, i'm going to hand this one over to you first of all. How do you think Japan are going to get on in the World Cup next year?
00:41:02
Ken Davies
Wow. Wow. what
00:41:39
Ken Davies
Yeah, looks good. So just to recap on that, it it looks like both of us agree that Mexico and Japan are going to be in the quarterfinals. We've got nobody going further than the quarterfinals yet.
00:41:50
Ken Davies
But so next time, I think we've got New Zealand.
00:41:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, yeah, very good. um That's quarterfinals you've gone for there, Ken. Japan have done what China has failed to do. um We talked about this before.
00:42:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Three decades they've invested in the professional game and grassroots development.
00:42:09
Ken Davies
Now, once we've had enough teams in the round of eight, you can't pick a ain't any more round of eight anymore because they're
00:42:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
They've produced a steady stream of Europe-ready players. We've seen growing multiculturalism in Japan. We've seen a growth of non-indigenous players. They've put together a really, really good squad.
00:42:19
Ken Davies
were getting very complicated.
00:42:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
No team outside Europe or South America has ever won the World Cup. And... won the world car and Japan might be the first team to do that. Not this year, though, or next year.
00:42:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not next year. but But I think they might become the first team outside of South America Europe to win a World Cup.
00:42:38
Ken Davies
Well, I'm not sure I'm going to say England.
00:42:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
They've proven recently, and as recently as Qatar, that they can go up against the big boys.
00:42:40
Ken Davies
going I do see what you mean. Well, one of the things I think we're going to do is before the actual competition proper, we'll go through it again and give our official our official Road to World Cup 26 guide to who's been eliminated where.
00:42:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
They beat Spain, they beat Germany, nearly beat Croatia. They're definitely one to watch. I also am going round of eight. I'm also going round of eight. And I think that'll be that be, that will almost be expected in Japan.
00:42:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think they'll be expected to do that. I think they'll get there. They might get to the semis, but I think it might come too soon for them. So quarter finalists this year and the very best of luck to them.
00:43:11
Ken Davies
See you soon. Bye bye.
00:43:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Well, next time we are going to have a look at New Zealand and then we're going to go into two three weeks worth of qualifying podcasts. But do you know what, Ken? We are doing these these predictions every week.
00:43:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
um We've got to be careful that not going to end up with 32 teams in the last round of four or something.
00:43:34
Ken Davies
see you soon byebye
00:43:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we need to keep a check on. Well,
00:43:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
but I think I can because I think I think i might be able to relegate a team back to the round of 16 if... if if If I think they're going to be better than the team that's around a vein, because we don't yet know who's qualified. So we can't choose teams.
00:43:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. I mean, I would naturally choose England to get to the semifinals, but if they don't, excuse me, if they don't qualify, they're not going to get to Not going to get there.
00:44:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
You see what, you see what mean?
00:44:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Okay. All right. Good, good, good. Well, look, that's that's enough for today. Apologies for the technical difficulties. All was well at GSPN Towers here in in Derby in England, UK.
00:44:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah However, all was not well in GSPN Towers in, where are you, Lanzarote? No, you're not Lanzarote, in Canaries somewhere, wherever you are. and and Yeah, in Grand Canaries. Good. And then I started to cough as well. So all together, let's get out of here.
00:44:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you very much indeed for listening. We hope you've enjoyed it. And we hope you are far better briefed on Japan than you were 44 minutes and 55 seconds earlier on in the day. Have a fabulous week.
00:45:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look after yourselves. Look after each other. and We'll see you next time. Goodbye.