According to a report by the Japanese football digest, Takekura Koh’s performance was less than ideal in the match against Indonesia, raising concerns before the game against China.
In the fifth round of the 18-team qualifier, Japan faced Indonesia away. Thanks to a precise cross by Daichi Kamada that led to an own goal by the opposition, Japan took an early lead and went on to dominate the game, ultimately winning 4-0. However, the start of the match was more challenging than expected. Despite several brilliant saves by goalkeeper Ayaka Suzuki to thwart the opposition’s threats, Takekura Koh almost conceded a goal in the ninth minute when he struggled against an Indonesian forward, and continued to give the opposition scoring opportunities.
The media pointed out that Takekura Koh replaced Gaku Shibasaki, who was absent due to an Achilles tendon tear, and played as the central defender in a three-man backline. The rain before the match made the pitch slippery and the ball’s bounce unpredictable, but this was not the only reason for Takekura Koh’s poor performance. Throughout the game, he was repeatedly broken through in one-on-one situations and allowed the opponents to complete crosses, performing well below his usual standards.
As a defender for Borussia Mönchengladbach, Takekura Koh had been playing as the right center-back in the previous four matches leading up to the Indonesia game. However, as far back as June, during the match against Syria, he had experience playing as the central defender in a three-man backline and stated, “When the team uses a three-man backline, I will play as the central defender and can adapt smoothly.” Therefore, the change in position should not have been a factor affecting his performance.
In the October match against Australia, Takekura Koh impressed with his proactive defense, which is why his lackluster performance in this match has drawn attention.
This brings to mind Japan’s 1-2 loss to Iran in the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup earlier this year. In that match, Takekura Koh’s form was notably poor, and in the stoppage time of the match, with the score tied at 1-1, he committed an unnecessary foul, conceding a penalty that directly led to Japan’s defeat.
In this match against Indonesia, Takekura Koh’s early performance evoked memories of that unpleasant experience. However, despite facing difficulties initially, he ultimately helped the team achieve a clean sheet.
This is where this match differs from the one against Iran. The media noted that with Yuto Nagatomo and Gaku Shibasaki both absent due to injuries, Takekura Koh has taken on a core defensive role in the Japan national team under Hajime Moriyasu. Fans are hoping he can replicate his solid defense against Australia in the upcoming match against China on the 19th, but his current form is indeed a cause for concern.