Nadeshiko Japan will reassemble for the 2023 edition of the She Believes Cup in the United States later this week.
Head Coach Futoshi Ikeda is now presented with a perfect opportunity to showcase his brand of Nadeshiko football against formidable opposition in the run up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand later this year.
But how has this side progressed under his reign and how might the former Urawa Reds man set up against the world’s elite?
The She Believes Cup is an annual US held exhibition competition contested by four teams in a round-robin format. The February international window is usually when the tournament is run, serving as ample preparation for an upcoming World Cup or continental championship.
Japan are pitted against world champions USA, Olympic gold medalists Canada and Copa America Femenina winners Brazil in what is perhaps the toughest set of adversaries they have faced under Ikeda.
Of the four sides competing the Nadeshiko are the lowest ranked globally and are the only outfit not to be holders of a current major title, all troubling reminders of how far things have fallen since their 2011 World Cup winning heyday.
Ikeda is now tasked with steering the team back to more favorable times and configuring a Japan side that is once again recognised as a global powerhouse of women’s football.
Over his 18-month tenure he has produced decent performances in inter-confederation competition but very little against the world’s elite. This was highlighted during Japan’s last outing in November when they were soundly beaten by European champions England, before narrowly losing to Spain.
It seems a tall order at this moment in time, but if Japan are to get anywhere near the ultimate prize in Australia and New Zealand they need to establish ways of beating teams of this caliber in competitive competition.
How far things have progressed since November will surely be under the microscope at this edition of the She Believes Cup.
THE SELECTION
One source of encouragement for Nadeshiko fans is the number players now competing at the very top of the women’s game at club level.
Ikeda appears to not only reward but favour those that pursue moves to global sides where they will face different kinds of opponents than they would in Japan. This time around he seems to have gone for a healthy blend of overseas based regulars, in-form domestic players and a slight helping of young talent that have proved worthy.
Renowned names such as Mana Iwabuchi of Tottenham, Yui Hasegawa of Manchester City and reliable skipper Saki Kumagai of Bayern Munich unsurprisingly make the list along with more recent departees, like NWSL champion Hina Sugita, West Ham’s Risa Shimizu and Liverpool’s Fuka Nagano.
It should be noted that all of the aforementioned are consistent stand-out performers for their respected clubs and their inclusion is more than justified.
Embed from Getty ImagesSeveral in-form WE League stars also make the grade with forward Rikako Kobayashi of Tokyo Verdy Beleza and right wingback Miyabi Moriya of INAC Kobe being two prime examples. The number nine spot appears to be Riko Ueki’s to lose as her usual competitors, Yuika Sugasawa and Mina Tanaka, have not made the squad this time.
Three of Ikeda’s 2022 U20 World Cup squad have been deemed worthy of a seat with the seniors. Centre-back Rion Ishikawa of Urawa Reds, Beleza attacker Aoba Fujino and Hammarby via Chelsea forward Maika Hamano have all continued their form at club level since finishing second best at Costa Rica 2022.
The omission of industrious midfielder Hikaru Naomoto has raised some eyebrows given her current run of form for both club and country. Ikeda has indicated, however, that he is using this tournament as an opportunity to assess all available options to him and she may well be called upon again during the run up to the World Cup.
How he plans to better allocate her presence remains to be seen.
THE SYSTEM
Previously Ikeda has noted that he prefers to customise his game plan in accordance with the strengths and vulnerabilities of the opponent at hand.
Fans have at times been left frustrated with what might come across as aimless chopping and changing of formations and a lack of understanding of a best system. In truth, this confusion is likely by design and most tacticians would agree that keeping the onlookers guessing does no harm at all.
In fact rotation is likely to be a must at the tournament given the quick turnaround between games.
“While evaluating the performances of each player we have just two days to plan for three matches, travel considered. We will prepare for this while improving our off the pitch communication” Ikeda said during an interview with an official publication.
One consistent as of late, however, has been the preference for a back three with the wingbacks playing high up the pitch. The inclusion of INAC defenders Shiori Miyake and Miyabi Moriya suggests this approach will continue as the duo are core components of the Kobe outfit’s signature version of the system.
Ikeda’s application of this setup has produced mixed results but we can expect to see it at least once here.
Given the attacking threat Japan are sure to face, competent defensive coverage will be needed from the holding midfield player.
West Ham’s Honoka Hayashi is the obvious option here, although Yui Hasegawa has also been playing this role for Manchester City of late and Ikeda may call upon her versatility during this outing. Sturdy veteran centre-back Kumagai has at times played as a holding midfielder and this could be an interesting option given the number of defensive options available.
As usual there is no shortage of attacking options and the frontline could be made up an untold number of combinations.
Perhaps the strongest would be a front three of Iwabuchi, Ueki and Hasegawa, with the wingbacks delivering from the wide areas. The Beleza strike partnership of Kobayashi and Ueki could also be impactful at international level with either Endo or Miyazawa on the left flank with Seike, Hasegawa or Fujino on the right.
So, who are the opponents that lie in wait and how might Japan approach each encounter?
THE OPPOSITION
Brazil – FIFA Ranking: 9 (February 16, 16:00 ET)
The reigning South American champions enter the tournament on a high after closing 2022 with a win over Olympic gold medalists Canada in November. Their key forwards are all present and correct with household names such as Debinha, Ludmila and Beatriz Zaneratto all selected. Veteran forward Marta has returned from injury and is likely to be the spark in attack.
Embed from Getty ImagesOf the three fixtures this is arguably the most manageable for Japan. True to their football culture, Brazil play an expansive game and openings for Japan to capitalise on should come around often enough.
The back three may return here with Ikeda opting for pace in the forward areas. This contest should be the least physically challenging for Japan and no doubt they will try to impose their fluid attacking prowess on a side whose game is centred on style and creativity.
USA – FIFA Ranking: 1 (February 19, 15:30 ET)
The incumbent world champions have already played twice in 2023, thumping New Zealand on both occasions. Head coach Vlatko Andonovski is leading his side through a period of transition and appears to be ensuring the continuity of his powerhouse side by bolstering the ranks with capable high potential talent.
Six of the 23-member squad were handed senior debuts by Andonovski and indispensable stars such as Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe and Lindsey Horan have of course made the selection.
Without doubt this will be the toughest test Japan face at She Believes. Andonovski sets up in a 4-3-3 high pressure formation and Ikeda may well decide to rigidify his backline for this match.
A flat back four could be the order of the day with the commanding presence of skipper Kumagai an absolute must. Midfield presence will be important and this is where Ikeda may rue the omission of Naomoto and veteran Emi Nakajima. Nonetheless, this fixture serves as an accurate simulation of a high stakes World Cup knockout stage encounter and should be approached at full strength.
Canada – FIFA Ranking: 6 (February 22, 16:00 ET)
Since their Olympic success Canada’s form has been mixed with their most recent results being a win and a loss against Brazil in November.
At the time of writing Canada Soccer are engaged in a labor dispute with the core members of its women’s team over financial cuts to various programs and preparations. Veteran captain Christine Sinclair asserted that the women in Orlando preparing for She Believes will not train or play until this is resolved. How this will impact their participation in the tournament is unclear as it stands.
Under normal circumstances Canada would pose a stiff, physical test for Japan. With it being the final match of the competition youngsters such as Hamano and Fujino may well be given a chance to cut their teeth against a defensively solid side that will allow the Nadeshiko more of the ball. The two sides met last at Tokyo 2020 with the game playing out at a stalemate 1-1 draw.
What will unfold at this edition of She Believes is likely to be as close to Ikeda’s finished product as we will see before the World Cup.
That being said, it is indeed an outing where results are not only measured by eventual group standings but also on improvements on pitch and displays of individual ambition from the players. All of this with complete focus on the grand prize of women’s football.
Photo: twitter/jfa_nadeshiko
Listen to the latest The Asian Game Podcast as we go In Conversation With… Mitch Langerak
