In 2012, Dortmund overpowered Bayern to win the Bundesliga "salad plate", and Shinji Kagawa was the undisputed core of the team.
Fast forward more than 6 years, and dortmund are once again at the top of the Bundesliga list, at this time Kagawa is already a wanderer returning from The British disappointment. Kagawa is still an indispensable attacking brain for the club, and his abilities are still called "Asia's top". However, it is surprising that in this Asian Cup, Shinji Kagawa was not selected for the Japanese team training roster at all.
Shinji Kagawa left Dort in the winter transfer window. Photo/Osports
When Japan last won the Asian Cup, Shinji Kagawa was one of the few European stars in the team. However, this Friday night, he could only watch the wonderful performances of his juniors in front of the TV. In the months leading up to his 30th birthday, the former Manchester United star may have to face the fact that his national team career ended prematurely. But you have to admit that this Japanese team without Shinji Kagawa played great.
As early as after the World Cup was reversed by Belgium, "new and old replacement" has become the main theme of the Japanese team. Makoto Hasebe and Keiyuki Honda have quit the national team one after another, and Kagawa, who is slightly younger than them, is not favored under the new coach Morihoichi.
After the World Cup, Shinji Kagawa faded out of the Japanese national team. Photo/Osports
There is, of course, a tactical element. Kagawa is the quintessential striker, with former Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal believing he "lacks enough counter-attacking ability" and therefore can only "shine in a league with a higher technical component and a relatively weak opposition". Of course, we do not advocate this naked contempt for the Bundesliga. But "Chef Fan" is not unreasonable, he is the boss who dares to tell the truth. Kagawa's technical characteristics are indeed difficult to play in the more intense competition of the Premier League.
The same thing happened to Leicester City striker Shinji Okazaki. Before last year's World Cup, foreign media deliberately produced a feature for all national teams, and when reporting on japan, they targeted the unpretentious Premier League striker, who was ultimately not selected for the 23-man roster.
At present, high-level football pays attention to high-level oppression, which is bound to require everyone on the field to press forward. Once from offense to defense, even the forwards have to retreat to their own side to counterattack at the first time of the half, at least to assist in defense. Kagawa's running ability is not outstanding, and the Japanese team, which aims to learn the best football in Europe, gradually sees him as a luxury that looks good or is not practical.
At the same time, a new generation of Japanese stars is gushing out like a tide. Offensive geniuses, led by Don Yasuroku and Genki Haraguchi, have brought happiness to the Japanese team - look at the 3-goal attack on Iran in the semi-finals, and you will know what I am talking about. Facing the favorite team that did not lose a single goal in this tournament (before the semi-finals), japan easily dismantled Queiroz's steel defense.
Before the semi-finals, the Japanese team gave people a feeling of retaining strength. In their previous 5 wins, they averaged one goal per game. It was thought that the Japanese team with obvious technical advantages would kill the opponent with the pass control second, who expected them to still use the anti-counter tactics of the World Cup: give the ball control to the opponent and wait for the opportunity to counterattack.
Against Iran, Moriho was unusual, using fast high-pressure football to make the veteran coach Queiroz helpless. There is no reason for the media touting the Japanese team, and in such a lackluster cup format competition, the Japanese team has given valuable talent and tactical advantages.
Since this Japanese team does not need Shinji Kagawa's talent, it is no longer important to combine his game experience. Defensive midfielder Maya Yoshida and Nagatomo Yu both played the role of the team's dinghai god needle very well, and the two veterans showed value to the younger generations with diligence.
It is a young team with a total of 11 players under the age of 22. The reason why they no longer need Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda is because they already have more advanced playing styles, stronger technical and tactical skills and younger stars.
□ Zhu Yuan (International Affairs Officer, Sheffield F.C.)
Edited by Zhang Yunfeng Proofreader Zhai Yongjun