JSnet conclusions on yet another “whadda…?” edition of the Nabisco preliminaries! — COMING VERY SOON, RIGHT HERE!!!
Nabisco Cup: the Survivors
June 15th, 2009Nabisco Cup, Round 06 - Wrap Up
June 5th, 2009
Next Saturday we’ll know which four J1 teams will join the clubs competing in the ACL to form the quarterfinals grid for the Nabisco Cup. Here is a summary of the situation:
Group A:
A very interesting combination. Yokohama F Marinos leads the group (11 points, +6 goal difference), but has already played all six games. One point behind follow Sanfrecce Hiroshima (10, +10) that would need just a tie in the last game at already eliminated Jubilo Iwata to qualify. The really exciting game is the Saitama derby, where Urawa Reds (10, +3) too chases one point behind Marinos but will need to beat Omiya Ardija and clinch three points to qualify, since a tie will bring them up to 11 points but a lesser goal difference than Marinos.
Group B:
Shimizu S-Pulse (12, +4) is the first team that has already clinched qualification to the quarterfinals. For the second spot, FC Tokyo (10, +2) are favored above Kashiwa Reysol (8, +4). The Tokyoites play their last game at home versus already qualified S-Pulse, and will surely qualify in case of victory. Reysol must travel to Kyoto, where they must win and hope FC Tokyo won’t beat S-Pulse.
Already eliminated teams are: Omiya Ardija, Oita Trinita, Jubilo Iwata and Albirex Niigata in Group A; and JEF Utd Chiba, Montedio Yamagata, Vissel Kobe and Kyoto Sanga FC in Group B.
The seventh and last round is scheduled for this Saturday, June 13. Quarterfinals will be on July 15 and 29, 2009 and will feature the top two teams of each group, plus Kashiwa Antlers, Kawasaki Frontale, Nagoya Grampus and Gamba Osaka.
Japanese in Europe 2008-09: Final Report
June 2nd, 2009
While the J.League takes a break, the long European season is over (except for the nordic leagues). It is time to examine the fortunes of the twelve players who carried the flag of Japanese soccer in European clubs in 2008-09.
Shunsuke Nakamura
MF/32 Games, 8 Goals
Shunsuke Nakamaura (pictured above) had another good season at Celtic Glasgow (Scotland), and it is seemingly ready to return to Yokohama F Marinos after seven years abroad. Universally ranked as the best active Japanese footballer, Shunsuke has seemingly turned down offers from England and Germany in order to prepare for the WC 2010 at home. While most people sees his alleged comeback to the J.League as a step backward in his career, I tend to disagree. Sure, the Bundesliga and the Premier League are more competitive than the Japanese league, but the real step back, at least “leaguewise,” happened when Nakamura left the Serie A to join a championship where, besides the occasional dark horse, there are basically two competitive teams: Celtic and Rangers. Of course Celtic is a big club, with a lot of history, awesome fans and an easily recognizable uniform. Of course Shunsuke delighted the fans there with his passes; and his free-kicks are by now the stuff of legend in Glasgow.
However, all should be put in perspective, and my simple point is that very likely, today’s Kashima Antlers would make the top-3 in the SPL. So, welcome back to Nakamura if he has really made up his mind, and rather than lingering on this specific season, I’d wrap it up and say that so far he has been the best Japanese player in Europa, ever.
Keisuke Honda
MF/36 Games, 16 Goals, League’s MVP
Most might disagree, but I strongly belief that this is a boy in danger. A natural talent, loaded with an explosive kick, guts and all it takes to become a champion, he is seemingly the new target of the idol-obsessed Japanese media. Honda’s achievement at VVV Venlo in Holland so far amount to one promotion to first division, an impressive number of goals (16) and assists (12) that earned him the title of best player for the past season. MVP is an acronym that the Japanese unequivocally associate to ultimate excellence, no matter where it comes from. Add a couple of convincing performances with the national team and those sexy dyed hair, and you can see why the fuse has been lit.
Now, what it hasn’t been discussed is how poor is the level of the Dutch Leagues has been lately. In recent years Holland has done well at a youth level, but has ultimately failed to produce world-class talents for quite a few years now. Its best players are all concentrated in a certain Spanish club, while domestic teams have been struggling in Europe. As in the case of Scotland, again, I strongly doubt that the quality of the soccer played in the Dutch league is much better than that we see in Japan… Need proof? Once upon a time there was a Japanese 18-year old called Sota Hirayama, who graduated from High School and went to play for Heracles FC. He scored eight goals and then returned home, where he plays for FC Tokyo. This season he is a starter in J1… and he is still to score one goal!
The point that I am trying to make is that Honda is clearly a gifted lad and he could become the next big thing among the Europe-based Japanese, but his real career starts next season–hopefully at Ajax or PSV, as it has been heard from the grapevine.
Of course the Japanese media need to feed wondrous stories to their easily excited readers, but if Honda falls for it and believes he has arrived it already, more than a new Shunsuke we are at risk to witness a flop.
Makoto Hasebe
MF/25 Games
Here we’re talking of a player who made it big, a contributor to a victory in one of the top leagues in Europe, the Bundesliga. Hasebe hasn’t perhaps been flamboyant, he’s not even a regular (thou he did start in 16 games), but he has clearly showed that he’s got what it takes to play at top level in Europe. He enjoyed the respect of his coach, Felix Magath, and he has also earned the admiration of German fans in general, especially after being kicked in the face against Dortmund and coming back to play with a heroic bandage around the head. His season would have been perfect with a goal (that Japanese TV would have showed us ad libitum as they did for Kazu Miura’s only goal at Genoa), but he has probably kept it for the next season. Whatever the case, he gets my gold medal as best Japanese in Europe for 2008-09.
Yoshito Okubo
FW/9 Games
One has to admire this chap, no matter what. After an unlucky adventure in Spain, he returned to Japan, and –unlike others– he fit perfectly into his new club, quickly becoming a hero at Vissel Kobe. However, he decided to give it another shot in Europe, and tried this unlikely transfer in the middle of the season to a club that fields two forwards, Grafite and Dzeko, worth more than 20 goals each! As predictable it did not work out. As Wolfsburg celebrated its title, Okubo watched from the stands. What will he do next season is still to be determined.By the way, I found the column he wrote for Soccer Digest to be very honest and interesting. This boy has a heart. Should he return to Japan, he’ll surely do well; but if he tries yet another challenge in Europe, one can only hope he gets more lucky.
Daisuke Matsui
MF/22 Games, 1 Goal
The great achievement in 2009 for the Kyoto-born winger was the publication of a book of faints and tricks for children. Eventually they did not work so well in the Ligue 1, where Matsui had switched to a new club, or more precisely to the bench of St.Etienne. Twentytwo games, one goal only, an overall disappointing season for him and for the club, that avoided relegation at the last gasp. With the World Cup ony one year away, the crystalline talent of Matsui was once again be limited to a few sparks in a league far, far away. It is clearly time for a change in his career, either a new league in Europe, or -as in the case of Nakamura- a timely return to his home club. At Kyoto Sanga FC, where a left-winger is badly needed, he would be unlikely to warm the bench.
Takayuki Morimoto
FW/23 Games, 7 Goals
As the season neared its end in Italy and Catania was sure to play one more year in Serie A, most players began to make plans for their summer and to make sure they won’t get injured in the final games. One who kept playing at his 101% was the young Japanese, called Takayuki Morimoto. Three goals in the last three games, to be added to his previous four. Among his victims were AS Roma (thrice) and Juventus’ Gianluigi Buffon–the goalie that in the last World Cup conceded two goals in seven games: an owngoal and a penalty.
Okada has so far ignored Morimoto: probably better this way, at least for now. What the 21yo needs is the next coach at Catania to trust him as much as Walter Zenga did. Then, the doors of South Africa 2010 should be wide open.
Onward to lesser samurais, here are a few notes on the other six Japanese who played in Europe in 2008-09.
Junichi Inamoto (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany) was in the wrong club (a mediocre soccer, resulting in the 13th spot) and was used in the wrong position (as a lateral). He’d be on his flight back to Osaka now, if only he was guaranteed a spot at Gamba. But seemingly, it ain’t gonna happened. Gossips said he might stay in Kansai, either at Vissel Kobe or at Kyoto Sanga FC. Next summer it will be more likely Bahamas, rather than South Africa…
Shinji Ono too was in Germany, at Bochum… well, was he? The last image of him smiling (not counting commercials) is almost ten years old. Hint-hint…: Kazu Miura at Yokohama FC seems happier than him.
Takahito Soma, the only Japanese defender abroad, moved to Martitmo (Portugal) in January, as the team had begun to nosedive toward an anonymous 9th place. Not an impressive half of the season for him, ten games only and little glory. Soma has one more year on his contract, so perhaps better luck next season?
Daigo Kobayashi is still half-way through his first season in Norway, at Stabæk. he moved there lured by a chance to play in the Champions League, but so far he has been struggling to keep his team out of the relegation zone. Two goals, a lot of cold weather, so let’s hope things get better for him now that the weather gets warmer.
Koki Mizuno was hoping to fill Nakamura’s shoes once Shunsuke was ready to leave Celtic Glasgow. But, well, that is quite unlikely to happen anytime soon. Ten games, one goal and the feeling of a somehow wasted year. I hope he at least learned some English.
Last but not least, Kenji Fukuda, now a specialist of Euroepan second divisions. He netted nine goals in 24 games at Ionikos FC, Greece. The team almost made it to first division ending fourth. So, one more year of contract and one more chance for him as well.
Overall a decent year for the Japanese in Europe. With the return of Shunsuke Nakamura the samurai platoon loses its spearhead, but there are great expectations for Honda, Morimoto and Hasebe for 2009-10. Curiosity, of course, also to see how the returnees will do in J.League, and to see if somebody decides to take the plunge with only twelve months left before the World Cup.
Finally, here is an updated version of my all-time “Japanese Abroad” table:
- Shunsuke Nakamura (Reggina, Celtic)
- Hidetoshi Nakata (Perugia, AS Roma, Parma, Bologna, Fiorentina, Bolton Wanderers)
- Shinji Ono (Feyenoord, Bochum)
- Takayuki Morimoto (Catania)
- Makoto Hasebe (WFB Wolfsburg)
Players data from Yahoo Sport Japan.
Nabisco Cup, Round 04 - Wrap Up
May 30th, 2009
Probably Omiya Ardija fans will disagree, but the 4th round of the Nabisco Cup has delivered some fun games, and -mirroring the trend in J1- for the most balance has reigned supreme in both groups. Surprisingly no team has qualified yet, just as none is mathematically eliminated. Let’s have a look at the situation with three rounds left, keeping in mind that only the first two of each group will qualify for the quarterfinals–where they will be joined by the four teams playing in the ACL: Kashima Antlers, Kawasaki Frontale, Nagoya Grampus and Gamba Osaka.
Group A:
The Saitama teams (Ardija and Urawa Reds) are on top of Group A with 7 points in 4 games, but Sanfrecce with 6 points in 3 games and a +6 goal difference is probably the favorite. Reds have the last two games at home, the first versus a possibly demotivated Jubilo Iwata (2 points in 3 games) and then again they’ll meet crosstown rivals Ardija. Logic would say Sanfrecce and Reds, since Yokohama F Marinos with 5 points in 4 games do not look that good either.
In the lower part of the chart, reigning champions Oita seemingly never manage to lose in this competition, but they haven’t won one either in 2009, with three draws in three games. However two goals from 22yo sub Maeda today might give them some hope for the rest of the season, both in the Cup and in J1. Albirex Niigata, with 1 point in 3 games are probably more concerned with chasing an ACL spot in J1, and won’t cry too much about their probable elimination.
Group B:
On top is still FC Tokyo, another team with 7 points in 4 games, but today’s performance in Kyoto and poor form showed in J1 might leave some doubt about their chances. Two teams chase one point below and with a game in hand. Montedio Yamagata blew a big choice of going on top by losing today, but still has 6 points in 3 games. Paired with them is Shimizu S-Pulse, very likely the favorite of the group–and today they seemingly did not suffer the absence of their ace Okazaki.
On their way to elimination seem to be JEF United Chiba (5 points in 4 games); Vissel Kobe and Kashiwa Reysol (4 points in 3) and the team with the worst Nabisco-record of the season: Kyoto Sanga FC, that has only one point in 4 games and is virtually eliminated.
In conclusion, the teams that seem the most likely to go through are Urawa Reds and Sanfrecce Hiroshima in group A, with some chances for Omiya Ardija. In Group B it is another “trimurti” with Shimizu S-Pulse looking good, and then two teams that have been staggering in recent games : FC Tokyo and Montedio Yamagata.
We won’t have to wait too much to find out how it ends: the final three rounds are scheduled on June 3, 7 and 13.
J1, Round 13 - JSnet’s Top 11
May 26th, 2009
Here is the Top-11 for Round 13, this time an aggressive 4-3-3. The MVP prize goes to Reds’ Hosogai. Only players eligible for the Japanese NT are included. Will Okada, check it out?
GK - Sogahata, Kashima Antlers - Nothing transcendental, but when the ball comes around he’s there. Cho Jae-jin’s chip almost fools him, but he finds a precious ally in… the crossbar. Luck favors the bold. Kawaguchi at Jubilo did very well too, but since he’s got Okada’s call already, we’ll pick Sogahata here…
RLB - Ishii, Montedio Yamagata - A manual-like performance, even when his direct opponents (Hayashi first, Miyayoshi then) are not exactly a serious challenge. He’s one of the reasons why Montedio could finally stop (at three) the series of losses.
CB - Mizumoto, Kyoto Sanga FC - With Lee Jong-soo (and this time with Sidiclei as well in a 3-back defense) forms one of the best defensive department in J1. Hasegawa gets away only once. Considering Nakazawa’s actual form, why not calling Mizumoto for the Kirin Cup?
CB - Nasu, Jubilo Iwata - Controls Grampus’ attacks for most of the game, and goes to score a wonderful goal that opens the road for yet another Jubilo’s victory. Not a great season for him, so far: has he turned the corner?
LLB - Hosogai, Urawa Reds [MVP] - Runs, hassles, tackles, scores… The prototype of the 21st century propelling defender. Without any doubt the MOM in the Saitama derby, where he singlehandedly kept Reds in the race for the title.
MF - Ishikawa, FC Tokyo - Here’s another chap who should smell like NT. Quantity and quality, a goal that should have sealed the game, until his defender let him and FC Tokyo down again.
MF - Taniguchi, Kawasaki Frontale - Keeps trying until eventually scores the goal that cuts FC Tokyo’s legs.
MF - Tanaka, Vissel Kobe - An enormous quantity of soccer. Reliable and reasonably precise: another player to follow.
FW - Maeda, Jubilo Iwata - The forgotten forward is coming back. No goals for him this time, but a lot of work.
FW - Maki, JEF United Chiba - Fukai’s talent is blinking on and off, so it is seemingly up to Maki to provide the goals to keep JEF Utd up this season. His enthusiasm after scoring a is tonic for the troops, his disappointment at the end of the game tells a lot about how much he cares.
FW - Sato, Sanfrecce Hiroshima - A dash and a flying touch for three points, and a message to Okada. Sadly, returned to sender: the best Japanese forward so far will watch the Kirin Cup on his TV, while Okubo -not even a bench player in Wolfsburg- has been summoned all the way from Germany. Ah! The mysteries of Japanese soccer…
Coach of the Week - Oliveira, Kashima Antlers - His boys play a thoughtful match, capitalizing on a somehow random chance and then, facilitated by Leandro’s absence, trap Gamba into their game. Four points over the second team (and one game in hand) Antlers are clearly serious about the three-peat.
Donkey’s Hat - Bruno Quadros, FC Tokyo - He probably needs to figure out yet how J.league referees think. Two goals up, he could have let Chong Tese go for the shot, worst case scenario would have been a goal for Frontale–but the rest of the game would have been 11 vs 11. Hint: don’t give a Japanese ref any pretext to make the game more balanced and/or exciting.
Best Game: FC Tokyo - Kawasaki Frontale 2-3 - An old style J.League comeback, while not impeccably played, an extremely entertaining match — that is, of course, if you’re not an FC Tokyo fan.
At Oita Trinita All Is Hung-up
May 25th, 2009
Juventus FC in Italy has established a new record, with more than 70 injuries this season. They did not exactly shine in Serie A. Manchester United and Bayern Muenchen struggled when they missed a few of their regular starting defenders: the English champions lost twice in a row (a rare event), and the Bavarians were toasted in Germany by Wolfsburg (1-5), before getting schooled in Catalunia by FC Barcelona (0-4).
Are a few absences an excuse good enough to justify mediocre results? If you ask the fans in Oita, Japan, they would probably tell you that, yes, missing key-players is definitely a problem. The list of the long-term famous absents is long: among them all three Brazilians (Wesley, Roberto and Edimilson) and two more reliable forwards: Takamatsu and Morishima.
Trinita can still field one of the most promising youngsters in Japan, Kanazaki and other young talents such as Nishikawa in goal and Ienaga in the midfield. However, the many injuries have also forced Brazilian coach Chamuska to turn his tactics upside down: an ideal 3-4-1-2 has now become a 4-2-2-2, that seemingly the players have some problem to digest.
The practical result is that Oita Trinita, the only Kyushu team in J1, has just completed a not-so-remarkable string of ten defeats in a row in J1, and they have now plunged ten points below the safety zone. A ghastly situation for the club that was surely the surprise of the 2008 season, when they deservedly achieve 5th place in J1 and victory in the Nabisco Cup.
Ten losses in a row is an ugly record, but there are teams that have done much… better (??) in past seasons. To find them we must go back to the past century, when games that ended in tie after 90 minutes were decided by extra-times and eventually PKs. In 1996 Kyoto Purple Sanga lost 17, Vissel Kobe nearly tied the record in 1998 but stopped at 16, and Avispa Fukuoka managed a “respectable” string of 12 losses in a row in 1997…
Oita Trinita decorates the bench with the uniforms of the injured players. A way to remember those who can’t participate in the fight… Or a preemptive excuse for yet another loss? Whatever the case, things look gloomy in East Kyushu: only one third of the season has gone, but it is hard to envision a miracle such as the one JEF United Chiba managed last season.
Chamuska and his men will need more luck that they had so far, and perhaps some addition to the roster as well. As the league will pick up again, on 6/20, they travel to Kawasaki Frontale. I hate to be negative, but the best I can envision for Trinita fans at the moment are a lot of entertaining Kyushu derby next season. That is, in J2, of course.
A Few Lines about the Short and Troubled History of Japanesesoccer.net, so far…
May 24th, 2009
Japanesesoccer.net is reopening very soon!
Hi there. As I decided to try to resuscitate this blogsite from its torpor, I believe it is better I first introduce myself and tell you a bit about what happened so far at this URL. I am a 41yo soccer fan, a gaijin and a long-term resident of Japan. I have been here (in and out) since 1994, which was the second year of professional soccer in Japan. Back in the day there were 12 teams and no J2, of course. J.League teams were a hybrid mixture of aged European and South American talent and a bunch of Japanese players running around like crazy, with no tactical concept whatsoever. The Japanese soccer national team had yet to qualify for a world cup.
A lot has changed since 1994, but I my interest for Japanese soccer did not diminished–on the opposite, it increased. So much than in 2008, while working in the United States, I decide to try and open a blogsite (this one!) together with a few friends I had known over the years through the Internet.
Unfortunately, the operation was not as simple as I expected it to be. We held on well during the months of the winter break, but in the three webmasters who were supposed to develop the site pulled out once they realized how much work it will demand, then one contributor joined the army, some more went M.I.A. and finally me and the other main poster moved to Japan in Japan. After struggling for a couple of months, we had to abandon the project as we were reorganizing our existences in Japan. Until now.
As I have re-adjusted to life here and I can make some times to follow the J.League and the Japan national team, I am thinking now to reopen the site. I will run it basically by myself, and I will give it a new look. Here is what I will try to do - with no promise I’ll succeed.
- I will create a guide to how to follow the J.League online using sources in English and in Japanese
- I will publish at least once per week an editorial dealing with Japanese soccer culture
- I will compile a Best-11 after every J1 round, including Japanese players only
I don’t have a starting-date or a schedule, and I will write how and when I can, mostly on a train as I commute to work.
Given the time, the energy and a decent feedback from you, I will do my best to share my experiences with soccer in Japan.
Finally, a reminder that 90% of the actual contents of the site will be deleted in the next weeks, thus please download and/or copy whatever you want to keep.
Again thanks for your support and please feel free to contact me anytime at: gorunoura@japanesesoccer.net
Site Reopening Soon - Stay Tuned
May 23rd, 2009Japanesesoccer.net is temporarily closed. I am planning to reopen it in the next days and in a new format, so please keep checking.
Thank you to those who kept coming, looking forward to start again working on this blogsite soon…
Goru Noura
Time-Out for JapaneseSoccer.net
April 10th, 2009We apologize in advance, but due to personal reasons, we are forced to suspend the updates on japanesesoccer.net for a few weeks, possibly for a couple of months…
Our staff has relocated in Japan, and we are struggling to readjust to life here, getting jobs, taking care of families etc.
We are VERY thankful for your support during the previous months, and we certainly hope to re-open as soon as possible.
The Staff of JSnet
J1 - Round 04’s Best Eleven and MVP
April 7th, 2009
For Round 04 we have picked a 4-3-3 which begins again with Tokyo FC’s goalie Gonda, who is also our player of the week. On top, we have a trio of Japanese strikers, among which Koroki and Okazaki gets our preferences also considering their good performances in recent games. As coach we pick the resurgent Kawasaki Frontale’s Takashi Sekizuka.
GK - Gonda (FC Tokyo)
DF - Leonardo (Montedio)
DF - Lee Jung-soo (Sanga)
DF - Stojanov (Sanfrecce)
DF - Koga (Reysol)
MF - Nakamura (Frontale)
MF - Takayanagi (Sanfrecce)
MF - Yamada (Reds)
FW - Yano (Albirex)
FW - Okazaki (S-Pulse)
FW - Koroki (Antlers)
ROUND 04’s MVP - Gonda (FC Tokyo)
GOAL OF THE WEEK - Cho Jae-jin (Gamba Osaka)
TEAM OF THE WEEK - Yamagata Montedio
GAME OF THE WEEK - Albirex - Marinos
Goru Noura
J1 - Round 04’s Scores, Scorers and Table
April 4th, 2009
Scores and scorers
4/4, Sat
Gamba Osaka - Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2-2
Cho Jae-jin (GO, 25′)
Takayanagi (SH, 35′)
Sato (SH, 42′)
Endo (GO, 48′)
Kashima Antlers - Kyoto Sanga FC 2-1
Diego (KS, 58′)
Sasaki (KA, 84′)
Koroki (KA, 89′)
Kawasaki Frontale - Nagoya Grampus 3-1
Magnum (NG, 23′)
Vitor Junior (KF, 24′)
Taniguchi (KF, 29′)
Chong Tese (KF, 61′)
Urawa Reds - Oita Trinita 1-0
OG (for UR, 42′)
Albirex Niigata - Yokohama F Marinos 2-1
Marcio Richardes (AN, 36′)
Kurihara (YM, 58′)
Yano (AN, 89′)
Kashiwa Reysol - Omiya Ardija 2-2
Franca (KR, 52′)
Tsukamoto (OA, 56′)
Uchida (OA, 88′)
Koga (KR, 89′)
Jubilo Iwata - FC Tokyo 0-1
Akamine (FT, 82′)
4/5, Sun
Montedio Yamagata - JEF Utd Chiba 1-0
Akiba (MY, 86′)
Vissel Kobe - Shimizu S-Pulse 0-1
Okazaki (SP, 62′)
Table - Points (goal difference)
Albirex Niigata 10 (+5)
Kashima Antlers 9 (+3)
Gamba Osaka 7 (+5)
Montedio Yamagata 4 (+3)
Nagoya Grampus 7 (+1)
Urawa Reds 7 (+1)
Omiya Ardija 6 (+1)
Kyoto Sanga FC 6 (0)
FC Tokyo 6 (-3)
Kawasaki Frontale 5 (1)
Shimizu S-Pulse 5 (-1)
Sanfrecce Hiroshima 4 (0)
Kashiwa Reysol 4 (0)
Vissel Kobe 4 (-1)
Oita Trinita 4 (-1)
Yokohama Marinos 2 (-3)
JEF Utd Chiba 2 (-4)
Jubilo Iwata 1 (-8)
J1 - Round 04’s Preview
April 3rd, 2009
After two weeks of Nabisco Cup and National team’s games, J1 is back with the usual nine games spread over the weekend. In the Nabisco clashes, a few teams have suffered the absence of their most representative players, who were out playing for their countries, but it was also a good chances for a few clubs to recover some injured players.
While J.League games are famous for their unpredictability, the most promising game, at least on paper is Gamba Osaka-Sanfrecce Hiroshima, two teams that play a pleasantly offensive soccer. The Osakans came out fuming from their defeat in Kyoto, and surely can’t wait to start again their push toward the top of the chart. With Kaji out for at least another month, Nishino might give another chance to Shimohira, even thou he was not very convincing against Sanga. Otherwise the creative Gamba coach might opt for a “tetris-like” scramble: Terada on the right in the midfield, with Hashimoto behind him, and Yasuda on the left. The good news for the Asian champions is the return Myojin, who will of course pair up with Endo in the middle.
For Sanfrecce, probably the usual 3-2-4-1, with the only doubt in the middle of the field: Takahagi or Takayanagi? Stoyanov returns from Bulgaria and it is very unlikely that he will start the game.
A glimpse at the chart points out to Kashima Antlers-Kyoto Sanga FC as the top-game of the week, even thou the guests have played rather poor soccer in their two losses in the Nabisco Cup, suffering the absence of their defensive skipper lee Jong-soo. To make things harder for Coach Kato, the great “ex” of the match, Yanagisawa, picked an injury during practice, and he has been ruled out for two months. Paulinho might have recovered, but it is unlikely that he will start, which leaves Sanga with Toyota and Diego up front, even when the latter has not left a mark as forward so far.
Kashiwa Antlers will have to do without Danilo, who accused a pain in his left leg. 22yo Korean Park Joo-ho seems the candidate to start as left-back, while it is still to be seen if Oswaldo Olivera will opt for Koroki or teen-ager Osako to be Marquinhos’ sparring partner.
All the favors for victory go to the champions, that besides playing home seem in much better shape, however it is good to remind that in the last season Antlers were defeated in Kyoto, and struggled to beat Sanga 2-1 at home.
Finally is it worth to have a look at a match between two very disappointed (and disappointing) teams: Jubilo Iwata-FC Tokyo. The two teams combine for four points and one single victory so far, thus will likely go for the three points in what might be already a rather dramatic match. Okinawan striker Akamine should start for the Tokyoites, and will challenge Gilsinho in a bout between two rising stars. Jubilo will probably have to do without Nishi, still injured, and has also lost their miracle-boy Matsuura for probably three months. With Cullen out for another 12 weeks or so, and a total of seven injured players (a record for J1), choices are very limited for manager Yanagishita.
FC Tokyo seemed out of its crisis with the victory over Montedio Yamagata in round 3, but more doubts emerged during the nabisco games. Jubilo Iwata is a tough team to beat at home, thus we might have a balanced struggle, perhaps decided by a single episode. Certainly, an important match for both teams, as the losers will see their chances of a successful season greatly reduces.
Here is the complete games schedule for round 4:
4/4, 13:00 - Gamba Osaka - Sanfrecce Hiroshima
4/4, 14:00 - Kashima Antlers - Kyoto Sanga FC
4/4, 15:00 - Kawasaki Frontale - Nagoya Grampus
4/4, 16:00 - Urawa Reds - Oita Trinita
4/4, 16:00 - Albirex Niigata - Yokohama F Marinos
4/4, 17:00 - Kashiwa Reysol - Omiya Ardija
4/4, 19:00 - Jubilo Iwata - FC Tokyo
4/5, 13:00 - Montedio Yamagata - JEF Utd Chiba
4/5, 16:00 - Vissel Kobe - Shimizu S-Pulse
Goru Noura
J1 - Team of the Month, March 2009
April 3rd, 2009
Weekly Soccer Digest, a popular weekly Japanese soccer magazine, announced its team of the month for March in their latest issue (3-4-3):
GK: Narazaki (Nagoya Grampus)
DF: Mizumoto (Kyoto Sanga FC)
DF: Mato (Omiya Ardija)
DF: Lee Jong-soo (Kyoto Sanga FC)
MF: Sato Y. (Kyoto Sanga FC)
MF: Endo (Gamba Osaka)
MF: Sato K. (Montedio Yamagata)
MF: Kashiwagi (Sanfrecce Hiroshima)
FW: Pedro Junior (Albirex Niigata)
FW: Tamada (Nagoya Grampus)
FW: Davi (Nagoya Grampus)
MVP for March was awarded to Davi of Nagoya Grampus, who made an immediate impact at his new club following his transfer from Consadole Sapporo. Most disappointing player was, not unexpectedly, Frode Johnsen of Shimizu S-Pulse who has failed to score a single goal in five games played so far.
Kaare Hilt Ingvaldsen
kaare.ingvaldsen@japanesesoccer.net
J’s Data - Fans Vote Best Uniform of 2009
April 2nd, 2009
No J.League and no national team’s games this midweek, so the Japanese soccer journalists have seemingly a lot of time to kill. Those at the soccer newspaper El Golazo have decided to fill a couple of pages with an after all intesting survey, asking fans to vote for the best J.League uniforms of 2009.
Kashima Antlers (pictured) and Gamba Osaka clinched yet another title, while the super-underdogs of SC Tochigi have only slightly improved their spot in J.Soccer’s hierarchy, ending 34th — above Ehime FC and Avispa Fukuoka. Here is the detail of the top-10:
(1) Kashima Antlers, tied with Gamba Osaka
(3) Nagoya Grampus
(4) Urawa Reds
(5) Yokohama F Marinos
(6) Kawasaki Frontale
(7) FC Tokyo
(8) Kyoto Sanga FC
(9) Kashiwa Reysol
(10) Omiya Ardija
The most voted J2 uniform was Tokyo Verdy’s that grabbed the 11th spot. Compared to last years’ survey, the uniform that improved the most was that of Nagoya Grampus (19th place to 3rd) followed by Gamba Osaka and Omiya Ardija. Fagiano Okayama’s was voted as the most “masculine” uniform, while the ladies’ favorite was Albirex Niigata. Finally two special categories: Kyoto Sanga FC won the prize as better uniform featuring a sponsor with a logo written in Japanese (!!), and Tokyo Verdy FC was the best sponsor-less jersey.
In case you care about my own opinion, I really dig the two purple uniforms, Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Kyoto Sanga FC, while I believe the best “classic” design is Tokyo FC, and the most audacious is Nagoya Grampus. At the other end of the spectrum, FC Gifu gets the prize as the ugliest color choice, while I find the new Puma design (Shimizu S-Pulse, Jubilo Iwata and Roasso Kumamoto) really dreadful. By the way, have you noticed that S-Pulse and Jubilo’s away uniforms are basically identical?
Goru Noura
J’s Data - How Much Do J1 Clubs pay their Players?
April 1st, 2009
Semi-official numbers have been published by weekly magazine Shukan Soccer Digest regarding the total numbers for the salaries paid by J1 clubs to their players. Here is the detail:
(1) Urawa Reds - 1,250,000,000 Yen
(2) Gamba Osaka - 1,050,000,000 Yen
(3) Kashima Antlers - 830,000,000 Yen
(4) Vissel Kobe - 730,000,000 Yen
(5) Kyoto Sanga FC - 700,000,000 Yen
(6) Oita Trinita - 650,000,000 Yen
(7) Jubilo Iwata - 640,000,000 Yen
(8) Kawasaki Frontale - 620,000,000 Yen
(9) Kashiwa Reysol - 610,000,000 Yen
(10) Shimizu S-Pulse - 590,000,000 Yen
(11) Nagoya Grampus - 580,000,000 Yen
(12) FC Tokyo - 560,000,000 Yen
(13) Yokohama F Marinos - 520,000,000 Yen
(14) Omiya Ardija and Sanfrecce Hiroshima - 510,000,000 Yen
(16) JEF Utd Chiba - 480,000,000 Yen
(17) Albirex Niigata - 360,000,000 Yen
(18) Yamagata Montedio - 250,000,000 Yen
While it has to be considered that the above amounts do not include the manager and the coaching staff’s salaries (plus of course all other costs clubs have to face), these numbers give a good basic idea of how player-related expenses are distributed. The three “Big Clubs” that have won most of the trophies in recent seasons are the most expensive to maintain, while title contender Nagoya Grampus gets away with a surprisingly cheap total, if compared to other major clubs. Vissel Kobe and Kyoto Sanga FC have high wages to remit, bringing all three J1 clubs from Kansai in the top-5. If these clubs can’t achieve good results and increase their popularity, it might be reason of concern for their administrative boards, as all three teams at the moment average only around 15,000 spectators per game.
Albirex Niigata has been this season’s surprise on the pitch so far, and the has an amazing records in the above table as well: their total salary is less than half of Vissel Kobe’s, while to pay Montedio Yamagata’s players costs only 20% of what one would need to remit to Urawa Reds players their salaries. Albirex Niigata is also the club with less players on the roster (28), while Kashiwa Reysol has the most (36).
The total amount of salaries paid so far by J1 clubs for the 2009 season equals to 6,335,500,000 Yen. Still much less that what it would cost to pay salaries of one single big European Club. Barcelona’s Leo Messi’s one-year fee (evaluated at $8,000,000) would almost be enough to pay the wages of J1 Champions Kashima Antlers’s whole roster.
Goru Noura
J2 - Round 01-05’s Summary
March 30th, 2009
It seems that so far predictions for J2 were made with more accuracy than those for J1. True, there are a few “Big Clubs” that have flopped most of these opening games, but Cerezo Osaka and Shonan Bellmare on top with a full five-out-of-five each seem to follow the script, and perhaps to go even beyond what their fans and most of the media expected.
Cerezo Osaka has at least a couple of young players, Kagawa and Inui, who would probably start in almost any J1 team. Brazilian forward Caio has shown again that he is a valuable asset, producing not only goals, but a massive volume of plays and important assists. Perhaps the best surprise for Cerezo fans is that finally they have found a worthy goalie: the former U20 Korean Kim Jin-hyon is only 22, but he has so far impressed. More than being amazed at Cerezo’s run so far, one wonders how thay could have failed to get promoted last season…
Shonan Bellmare has won all five games played so far by one goal difference only, but seems a very solid, steady squad, with Adiel waving the wand and his orchestra following. The last gasp victory in Sapporo on Round 4 was a huge boost, and now their last addition, former Kyoto Sanga’s forward Yutaka Tahara, has uncorked the bottle, winning the last game with one of his characteristic headers — Japanese commentators compared him to Juventus’ Amauri!
Behind the two giants, are a few unexpected and welcome surprises: Mito Hollyhock, one of the most “grassrooted” clubs in Japan with 12 points, and two more underdogs, Ehime FC and resurgent Ventforet Kofu with 10 each.
The “prize” as most disappointing teams so far goes to the two clubs that have plunged down from J1 last November: Tokyo Verdy and Consadole Sapporo. With 7 and 4 points respectively, they occupy table positions that should be embarrassing for clubs with their history and still a dedicate number of followers. Tokyo Verdy’s achievement during the transfer season was that they were capable to keep at the club Masashi Oguro, who has so far delivered only two goals — even thou they were both worth crucial victories. Consadole Sapporo had put their trust in the hands of former Reysol coach Nobuhiro Ishizaki, but seemingly the players have not recovered from the loss of Davi, and seem uncapable to follow their new leader: they occupy at the moment the 14th spot.
Finally, a few words about the newly promoted clubs. All three struggled to adapt to the new level, and it was only yesterday, on Round 5 that one of them clinched a victory, as Kataller Toyama defeated Thespa Kusatsu 1-0. Fagiano Okayama lost only one game, but tied the other four. Their defense has conceded only three goals: only Shonan Bellmare did better (featuring the very promising 19-yo Taisuke Muramatsu, they conceded a mere two), but Kataller’s “constipated” attack produced so far only two goals in more than 450 minutes of soccer. Last but… least, Tochigi SC is still the only professional soccer club in Japan that hasn’t earned a point in 2009: with five losses in a row and no goals scored yet (!!!) they lag at the bottom of the J2 League.
A post-scriptum for Yokohama FC: they did slightly better than Tochigi SC so far, achieveing one point in five games. Yet, the underperforming squad did not precluded “King” Kazu Miura to score a goal at the venerable age of 42. Sure, it was a penalty converted during the game versus Roasso Kumamoto; but Japanese fans picked it as J2’s goal of the week for Round 2. The legends lives on…
Goru Noura
Please check the J.League’s Official Website for an updated J2 table.
Nabisco Cup - Round 01’s Scores and Scorers
March 25th, 2009
Group A:
Omiya Ardija - Albirex Niigata 2-1
Mato (OA, 24′)
Gilton (AN, 58′)
Ishihara (OA, 82′)
Jubilo Iwata - Yokohama F Marinos 0-0
Sanfrecce Hiroshima - Urawa Reds 1-0
Sato (SH, 27′)
Bye: Oita Trinita
Group B:
Montedio Yamagata - Kyoto Sanga FC 3-1
Akiba (MY, 32′)
Kitamura (MY, 61′)
Kim Byung-suk (MY, 66′)
Sato (KS, 76′)
Kashiwa Reysol - FC Tokyo 3-1
Yamane (KR, 22)
Popo (KR, 32′)
Cabore (FT, 33′)
Otsu (KR, 47′)
Vissel Kobe - JEF Utd Chiba 1-1
Yazawa (JU, 48′)
Ishibitsu (VK, 71′)
Bye: Shimizu S-Pulse
J1 - Round 03’s Best Eleven and MVP
March 24th, 2009
Today’s team is a 3-4-3 ideally coached by Kyoto Sanga’s Kato, who stopped Gamba Osaka’s string of victories.
GK - Gonda (FC Tokyo)
DF - Mizumoto (Sanga)
DF - Lee Jong-soo (Sanga)
DF - Abe (Grampus)
MF - Konno (FC Tokyo)
MF - Roberto (Trinita)
MF - Yoshimura (Grampus)
MF - Diego (Sanga)
FW - Gilsinho (Jubilo)
FW - Davi (Grampus)
FW - Ishihara (Ardija)
ROUND 03’s MVP - Yoshimura (Grampus)
GOAL OF THE WEEK - Juninho (Frontale)
TEAM OF THE WEEK - Kyoto Sanga FC
GAME OF THE WEEK - Marinos - Reysol
Goru Noura
gorunoura@japanesesoccer.net
J1 - Round 03’s “Give it to the Bloggers”
March 24th, 2009
Japanesesoccer.net was created with the intention to widen the knowledge about Japanese soccer among non-Japanese speaking (i.e. reading) fans. There is a growing, enthusiastic community of non-Japanese supporters that besides loving their teams, regularly share their experiences online in English. Beginning from this week, it is our intention to do our best to give them more exposure, since they are all doing a great job in spreading the word about J1’s exciting clubs. Below here you will find links to eight reports covering six out of nine of Round 3’s games, all in the words of the real experts: the fans! Click on the team’s names to read a post written by a supporter/blogger, and… Enjoy the ride!
Omiya Ardija - Vissel Kobe
FC Tokyo - Montedio Yamagata
Yokohama F Marinos - Kashiwa Reysol
Nagoya Grampus - Shimizu S-Pulse
Kyoto Sanga FC - Gamba Osaka
JEF Utd Chiba - Kawasaki Frontale
You can also read an all-encompassing commentary about Round 3 on
The Rising Sun News
And if you have an urge to discuss Japanese soccer and J.League games, you can do it on one of these forums:
Big Soccer - Japan
World Soccer News - Japan
We invite the blogger interested to be linked by mailing us, and at the same time, please notify us if you would prefer your article not to be linked from japanesesoccer.net.
A page with all the current J.Soccer-related blogs is available here.
J1 - Round 03’s Summary
March 24th, 2009
Two-hundred and seventy minutes (plus some additional time!) of J1 under our belts: it is still very early, but -perhaps just for fun- we can begin to make some assessment about how teams are doing…
Who is doing great? - Surely the positive surprise of the season so far have been the guys in orange and blue of Albirex Niigata. One of the four undefeated sides, Jun Suzuki’s men have shown a brave attacking soccer, and their offensive trident composed by Yano and newcomers Oshima and Pedro Junior already works as a very well-oilded machine. It is true that they could not put Trinita under much pressure this last weekend, but then again nobody has an easy life in Oita.
The second positive surprise is Omiya Ardija: seen how they struggled in recent seasons and the departure of Daigo Kobayashi, many saw them as doomed. Instead, they bounced back with intense performances, and made it clear that they won’t go down without a fight. The same is true for Montedio Yamagata, labeled by most as “team #18,” but at the moment installed in 7th place, after holding title-competitors Nagoya last week. They’re not taking a tour in J1, that’s for sure, and -unlike other teams promoted in previous seasons- Montedio’s former J2 players (most of the roster…) seem to have absorbed very quickly the transition to the top division.
Kyoto Sanga FC as well navigates the high zones of the table, and has won the two Kansai derby that they played at home. Their defense is surely impressive, but their only goal coming from a forward so far was scored by Diego on a (generously conceded) penalty. Their coming games versus Antlers, Albirex and Reds might give us a better idea of what the Kyotoites are up to.
Who is doing terrible? - The palm of the most disappointing team so far goes to Kawasaki Frontale. Still victory-less, the tie versus JEF Utd Chiba was the third of a string of very unconvincing performances. While Chong Tese is the same old goal-machine, Juninho seems to get greedier every season (he has so far one goal out of 16 attempts…), and the defense has some dreadful moments, as we have seen when they took a nap on Sunday and let Yazawa to score a Play Station-like goal. It is hard to believe that a team with the quality of Frontale will not come to life, but they are surely losing ground on the race-title, and the ACL might prove to be an extra distraction.
One notch below on the “disappointment-scale” are Yokohama Marinos, that unlike Frontale have already played two game at home. This Saturday they let Reysol come two goals from behind, alienating their fans, used to a much higher level of football. One wonders where would they be, had “Bomber” Nakagawa accepted Ardija’s lures last January…
Well below the spot we expected them after three games are also FC Tokyo and Shimizu S-Pulse. The latter seem so far to suffer because of a very bad decision during the transfer season: acquiring (and fielding) 34-year-old Johnsen, when they have two of the best young forwards in Japan: Okazaki and 2008 rookie of the year Hara. The result so far has been one goal in three games in total. However, the game in Nagoya has shown some encouraging moments, as the Shizuokans had Grampus framed for long periods, before being knocked out on a counterattack.
A chapter apart for Urawa Reds: if the fans expected Finke to catapult them back into J1’s elite, then there are reasons to be disappointed. Yet, for the more realistic supporters, it would be good to keep in mind how the previous season ended (with a 1-6 at home…), and to appreciate how the new coach is working to rebuild a team that mentally seemed in shambles. Ponte’s performance versus FC Tokyo in round 2 is another positive sign: Reds might have found back their playmaker, and it would be a huge boost for their ambitions.
J1 takes a break this week to leave the stage to what a commercial defines “Japanese’s soccer’s Holy Grail,” aka the Nabisco Cup. With two rounds in four days, we’ll see if the managers will try some new tactics and players, or if they will try to consolidate what they’ve done so far. For sure a big chance for a few teams to regain some confidence.
A final, sad, note on what we have witnessed on a few fields this last weekend. As the J.League becomes more competitive, it seems that teams and managers are more-and-more adapting to the Eur0/South American mentality to “win at all costs.” The hysteria of some of Gamba players and the antics of Sanga and Grampus’ players to run the clock when ahead do not help to promote the image of Japanese soccer. Surely, as the league matures, a bit more of “malice” is unavoidable, but the last minutes of a game still open should be full of excitement, and not a series of simulations, balls booted in the stands and players slugging out of the field as in an over-60 league. This writer can’t help feeling a bit of nostalgia for the old-style “attack at all costs” J.League of a dozen of years ago.
Goru Noura
gorunoura@japanesesoccer.net
J1 - Round 03’s Highlights
March 24th, 2009
DISCLAIMER. Whenever good quality highlights of Japanese soccer are available on YouTube, we will post them. The intent is to allow J.Soccer lovers to enjoy videos of their favorite clubs and players and to facilitate those who might be hindered by not being able to make a search on Yahoo using Japanese characters. However, the responsibility to overview any eventual infringement of copyright laws lies with YouTube.com, and not with japanesesoccer.net. We are not responsible for the contents of the clips linked to this page, and not liable for their legal status. Please signal us any eventual copyright infringement, broken links, bad quality and unappropriated contents.
special thanks to weareniigata for capping this.
J1, R03 - Kyoto Sanga FC - Gamba Osaka 2-1
March 22nd, 2009
Kyoto Sanga FC-Gamba Osaka, the second Kansai derby of 2009 turned out to be a fierce bout with nothing to envy to the atmosphere of some European clashes. Under a grey late-winter sky, the guests got in it with four victories out of four this season (two in J.league, and two in the ACL) and a history of repeated triumph over Sanga in recent years. To give an idea of how Gamba has dominated this game lately, the last time Sanga won it, Endo was wearing the purple uniform.
However, it was definitely Sanga who were up to a better start, with Paulinho denied on the line and the game taking place for the most in Gamba’s half. Coach Kato had opted for a Brazilian two-top combo, and Diego and Paulinho gave more than a few headaches to Gamba. Providentially for Gamba, a clean but extremely dangerous tackle took out Paulinho, who went airborne and landed badly on his shoulder resulting in a trip to the hospital as Yanagizawa (judged not yet fit to start) came in after 13 minutes only.
It was clear from the beginning that Gamba players were not in one of their better days: a series of late sliding tackles earned them three yellow cards in the first half hour, while Yasuda had troubles against the debutant Someya, Lucas had his arms in the air the whole time, Leandro was on “neutral” gear and Endo preached in the desert for most of the first half. It was Gamba’s skipper who at a certain point decided to go solo, and created the only real danger to Mizutanis’ goal with a chip that landed on the top of the crossbar on the 42nd minute. When everybody was settling for a goal-less first half, out popped the head of Lee Jong-soo, that hammered the ball into Gamba’s net on a corner taken by Diego with few seconds left on the clock. A dream-like end of the first 45 minutes for the home team.
The second half started with Gamba slightly more aggressive, but Sanga overall in control. It was on an allegedly innocuous counterattack that a misunderstanding between Fujigaya and his defense gave Yanagisawa the chance to dash on a ball that seemed lost and win a generously awarded penalty as the clock was striking the 53rd minute. What happened after the whistle crystallizes Gamba’s bad afternoon: with more than thirty minutes left to play, half of the Osakans found nothing better to do that surrounding the referee and the linesman, until Fujigaya threw the ball away in disdain–as if that might have the officials to change their mind… Instead he got a yellow card and completely lost focus, diving in the opposite direction of where Diego slotted the ball. Two-null for Sanga, and Gamba seemed to head deservedly toward their first defeat of the season.
Nothing much happened in the following twenty minutes: Sanga wasted a few chances to counterattack, but in the back Lee and Mizumoto towered on every Gamba’s cross, frustrating the table’s leaders so much that Leandro let himself go to yet another pantomime and a couple of fouls that might have deserved more than the yellow card he received late in the match.
The game unexpectedly came to life for Gamba in the 76th minute, as Terada collected a rebound out the box, and slotted it toward Mizutani. An unfortunate deflection on Lee flicked the ball into the “upper V,” and the Osakans had a lifeline. With a one-goal gap only, Gamba players reminded they’re the champions of Asia, and for the following ten minutes they skillfully moved the ball around with a net of passes reminding Arsenal’s best moments, and bombarded Sanga’s penalty area with crosses. However, only one time they came closer to an equalizer: a header that Endo lobbed over Mizutani had the Osaka fans to scream for a goal, but Mizumoto cleared on the line with a miraculous bicycle kick that in practice won the game for Sanga. The last five minutes were not a nice spot for japanese soccer: Sanga players, in desperate need of oxygen, performed a pathetic series of ball booted out, alleged injuries and slow walks to throw-ins by Sanga’s players. The epitome of the J.Leagues “Fair Play” policy going down the drain happened as the “role-model (??) Yanagisawa walked off the pitch after being subbed for what should have been 30 seconds–a show that rightly earned him a yellow card.
Far seem the days when J.League teams played every minute of every game just to push up and try to score. For good or bad, today’s Keihan derby wasn’t much different in spirit from those we see in Manchester or Milan. Only one thing mattered: to win it. Sanga did, after quite a few years, and in the end they probably deserved the three points.
Starting Line-ups:
Kyoto Sanga FC (4-4-2): Mizutani - Masushima, Lee Jung-soo, Mizumoto, Someya; Ando, Kakuda, Sato, Watanabe; Paulinho (Yanagiswa) (Hayashi), Diego (Toyoda). Manager: Kato.
Gamba Osaka (4-4-2): Fujigawa; Yasuda (Sasaki), Park Dong-yeuk, Yamaguchi, Shimohira; Hashimoto, Endo, Lucas, Yamazaki (Terada); Leandro, Cho Jae-jin (Bando). Manager: Nishino.
Goals: Lee (KS, 44’); Diego (KS, 54’); Terada (GO, 76’)
Shots: 10 to 8 for Gamba Osaka
Possession: 60% Gamba Osaka
Goru Noura, reporting from Japan
gorunoura@japanesesoccer.net
J1 - Round 03’s Scores, Scorers and Table
March 22nd, 2009
Scores and Scorers
3/21, Sat
Omiya Ardija - Vissel Kobe 1-1
Yoshida (VK, 60′)
Ishihara (OA, 84′)
FC Tokyo - Montedio Yamagata 1-0
Hanyu (FT, 55′)
Jubilo Iwata - Urawa Reds 1-1
Gilsinho (JI, 32′)
Edmilson (UR, 68′)
Yokohama F Marinos - Kashiwa Reysol 3-3
Kano (YM, 2′)
Nakazaha (YM, 18′)
Sugiyama (KR, 42′)
Watanabe (YM, 44′)
Franca (KR, 65′)
Popo (KR, 85′)
Oita Trinita - Albirex Niigata 0-0
3/22, Sun
Nagoya Grampus - Shimizu S-Pulse 3-1
Davi (NG, 25′)
Yoshimura (NG, 76′)
Okazaki (SP, 80′)
Davi (NG, 89′)
Kyoto Sanga FC - Gamba Osaka 2-1
Lee Jung-soo (KS, 44′)
Diego (KS, 54′)
Terada (GO, 76′)
Kashima Antlers - Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2-1
Motoyama (KA, 15′)
Stoyanov (SH, 61′)
Koroki (KA, 89′)
JEF Utd Chiba - Kawasaki Frontale 1-1
Yazawa (JC, 0′)
Juninho (KF, 58′)
Table - Points (goal difference)
Albirex Niigata 7 (+4)
Nagoya Grampus 7 (+3)
Gamba Osaka 6 (+5)
Kashima Antlers 6 (+2)
Kyoto Sanga FC 6 (+1)
Omiya Ardija 5 (+1)
Montedio Yamagata 4 (+3)
Urawa Reds 4 (0)
Oita Trinita 4 (0)
Vissel Kobe 4 (0)
Sanfrecce Hiroshima 3 (0)
Kashiwa Reysol 3 (0)
FC Tokyo 3 (-4)
Kawasaki Frontale 2 (-1)
Yokohama Marinos 2 (-2)
Shimizu S-Pulse 2 (-2)
JEF Utd Chiba 2 (-3)
Jubilo Iwata 1 (-7)
Important Notice - Update
March 21st, 2009
As you may have noticed, our blogsite has been inactive for almost a few days, due to a problem that impeded us from updating you timely about Round 2. We’re glad to announce that finally the update of our main Internet connection (to fiber-glass cable) is now completed. We apologize for the inconvenience. We are still working on stabilizing the system, but we have set up an alternative connection, thus we are back at full throttle.
We have published data about J1’s Round 2 (scroll down - and sorry for the delay), and we are updating in real-time (when possible) about Round 3 (again, down here…). We are also working on new graphics and better accessibility.
Thank You for supporting us, and stay tuned for new important announcements about the site coming soon.
JSnet
J1, R03 - Jubilo Iwata - Urawa Reds 1-1
March 21st, 2009
Jubilo struggled through the 2008 season, added no new players, thus it is not surprise that they are and they will be facing a tough season. The real question before this match was about Reds: are they the team humbled by Antlers on Round 1, or the one that, led by an astounding Ponte, dominated FC Tokyo last week?
Considering they were playing a team that got scored ten times in two games, and they’re not participating to the ACL, Reds put on an overall disappointing show, failing to turn around a game they could have won had they showed some more quality. The first half saw a balanced game, with Gilsinho sneaking away through a spaced-out Reds’ defense to score the only goal in the 32nd minute–his 4th in three rounds. The Urawans reaction was sterile, limited to a header by Edmilson off a good cross from Takahara. Before the goal, a few occasion on both sides, but nothing special.
In the second half Reds pushed their middle line higher. Tulio, today sporting a skin-color hairband that made him look even more as a an half-shaven samurai, lead the charge, but the best chances came from blunders from Kawaguchi, who once dropped a ball no Reds forwards could push in, and in the 68th minute completely missed a high cross that was easily headed in by Edmilson. Escudero had in the meantime added some muscle for Reds, subbing in for an inconsistent Tanaka.
The game became more interesting, with chances on both sides: first Takahara intercepted a ball and drove it toward Jubilo’s goal with a volley but hit Kawaguchi (this time quick to react); then it was Gilsinho again who threw Reds’ defense into a state of panic situation, dribbling and slamming a drive on the post on the left of Tsuzuki. The Brazilian was clearly Jubilo’s spearhead, while -in sharp contrast- Maeda kept moving around as an ectoplasm, really creating no troubles whatsoever to the opponents, but surprisingly Yanagishita decided to let him on the pitch for the whole game.
Nothing really happened in the final minutes, with subs Bandai and Escudero trying to impress their managers, but failing to score the goal needed for a late victory.
A mediocre result for Reds, if they are to chase Gamba in the run for the title. Finke’s project hasn’t clearly taken off yet, and if things continue this way, it won’t be long before the demanding Urawa fans will start to voice their complains. A good point for Jubilo, that finally left the zero-point-slot and saw Gilsinho excel again.
Starting Line-ups:
Jubilo Iwata: (4-4-2) Kawaguchi – Inuzuka, Nasu, Chano, Komano – Ota (Okada), Yamamoto, Rodrigo, Nishi (Murai) – Maeda, Gilsinho (Bandai). Manager: Yanagishita.
Urawa Reds: (4-4-2) Tsuzuki – Komagai, Tsuboi, Tulio, Yamada – Ponte, Suzuki, Abe, Takahara – Edmilson, Tanaka (Escudero). Manager: Finke.
Goals: Gilsinho (JI, 32′); Edmilson (UR, 68′)
Shots: 17 to 9 for Urawa Reds
Possession: 60% Urawa Reds
Goru Noura
gorunoura@japanesesoccer.net