From Niche to National Asset: Inside the Egyptian Golf Federation's Institutional Rebirth    Egypt signs $140m financing for Phase I of New Alamein silicon complex    Egyptian pound edges lower against dollar in Wednesday's early trade    Oil to end 2025 with sharp losses    GlobalCorp issues eighth securitization bond worth EGP 2.5bn    Egypt completes 90% of first-phase gas connections for 'Decent Life' initiative    5th-century BC industrial hub, Roman burials discovered in Egypt's West Delta    Saudi Arabia demands UAE withdrawal from Yemen after air strike on 'unauthorised' arms    Egyptian-Italian team uncovers ancient workshops, Roman cemetery in Western Nile Delta    Egypt to cover private healthcare costs under universal insurance scheme, says PM at New Giza University Hospital opening    Qatari Diar pays Egypt $3.5bn initial installment for $29.7bn Alam El Roum investment deal    Egypt to launch 2026-2030 national strategy for 11m people with disabilities    Kremlin demands Ukraine's total withdrawal from Donbas before any ceasefire    The apprentice's ascent: JD Vance's five-point blueprint for 2028    Health Ministry, Veterinarians' Syndicate discuss training, law amendments, veterinary drugs    Egypt completes restoration of 43 historical agreements, 13 maps for Foreign Ministry archive    Egypt, Viatris sign MoU to expand presidential mental health initiative    Egypt sends medical convoy, supplies to Sudan to support healthcare sector    Egypt's PM reviews rollout of second phase of universal health insurance scheme    Egypt sends 15th urgent aid convoy to Gaza in cooperation with Catholic Relief Services    Al-Sisi: Egypt seeks binding Nile agreement with Ethiopia    Egyptian-built dam in Tanzania is model for Nile cooperation, says Foreign Minister    Al-Sisi affirms support for Sudan's sovereignty and calls for accountability over conflict crimes    Egypt flags red lines, urges Sudan unity, civilian protection    Egypt unveils restored colossal statues of King Amenhotep III at Luxor mortuary temple    Egyptian Golf Federation appoints Stuart Clayton as technical director    4th Egyptian Women Summit kicks off with focus on STEM, AI    UNESCO adds Egyptian Koshari to intangible cultural heritage list    Egypt recovers two ancient artefacts from Belgium    Egypt, Saudi nuclear authorities sign MoU to boost cooperation on nuclear safety    Egypt warns of erratic Ethiopian dam operations after sharp swings in Blue Nile flows    Egypt golf team reclaims Arab standing with silver; Omar Hisham Talaat congratulates team    Sisi expands national support fund to include diplomats who died on duty    Egypt's PM reviews efforts to remove Nile River encroachments    Egypt resolves dispute between top African sports bodies ahead of 2027 African Games    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Fatigue not an excuse for disappointing display: Man United's Kagawa
Manchester United playmaker Shinji Kagawa admits he needs to improve after producing a below-par display in a friendly game for Japan
Reuters Published in Ahram Online on 07 - 09 - 2012

Manchester United's Shinji Kagawa cut a forlorn figure after being substituted at halftime during Japan's 1-0 friendly victory over the United Arab Emirates, having made little impact on the game.
After enjoying an impressive start to his United career, triggering 'Kagawa-mania' across Japan, the forward failed to mask his disappointment after Sept. 6 match.
"Of course I wanted to play more minutes," the 23-year-old told reporters after Japan struggled in their final warm-up for a home World Cup qualifier against Iraq on Sept. 11.
"I always want to score but the coach makes the decisions. I'll have to look at my performance today," added Kagawa, who sat at the end of the bench in the second half, barely talking.
"My body felt a little heavier than I expected, probably from the flight."
Kagawa has been an instant hit at Old Trafford, earning praise from United manager Alex Ferguson, who paid 17 million euros ($21.4 million) for the former Borussia Dortmund playmaker in June.
His transfer to one of the world's top clubs elevated him to celebrity status, leading to him being mobbed by fans at Sapporo airport before a friendly last month.
However, Kagawa was ineffective on Sept. 6, striker Mike Havenaar sparing Japan's blushes with a 69th-minute winner to give the Asian champions an unconvincing win.
Midfielder Keisuke Honda had blazed over with barely a minute on the clock following a clever back-heel from Kagawa but that early promise was the United signing's best moment in a tired-looking display.
Kagawa often found himself taking the ball into blind alleys and was hauled off after frustrating coach Alberto Zaccheroni by attempting a few too many step overs which led to no end product.
"Fatigue is not an excuse," Kagawa said. "I wasn't able to run as much as I thought I would. I gradually want to focus my sights on the Iraq game. The next game will be a completely different atmosphere."
Captain Makoto Hasegawa and Honda were also substituted early on Sept. 6 ahead of the clash with Iraq, currently under the stewardship of former Japan coach Zico.
Japan overpowered Oman 3-0 and Jordan 6-0 at home before being held 1-1 in Australia in June in their first three games in the final round of Asian 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
"The next game is the most important. It will be a lot tougher -- it's why I'm here," Kagawa added. "Hopefully I can make a real difference and we can take our chances."
The Blue Samurai lead World Cup qualifying Group B by five points from Iraq, Australia and Jordan.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at@AO Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports)

Clic here to read the story from its source.