Japan 1-0 England half time
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The story so far - my adopted boys are giving my homeland boys a lesson!! |
Posted by Alan on 30 May 2010
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Shoki Hirai - the future of Gamba (and Japan!).
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It may seem as if he just burst onto the scene but Shoki Hirai is 23 years old, and has been patiently plugging away out of the spotlight at Gamba Osaka for a few years now, biding his time, and fighting for a place against the likes of Araujo, Magno Alves, Leandro and Cho, among others, as well as fighting off newcomers Pedro Junior, Dodo and Ze Carlos in 2010. The fact that he got into the team at all has been a "lucky" combination of injuries (Lucas and Cho) and foolishness on the part of one player (Pedro Junior took exception to being substituted, lashed out at Gamba coach Akira Nishino, and was soon on a plane out of Osaka!). To this writer, Hirai's talent was never in doubt - I have been fortunate enough to have seen him play a close range - and I mean CLOSE range - as I have refereed matches, where he has been freely scoring goals, numerous times in Gamba satellite games over the last few years.
Regular readers of my rants will know that I advocate less foreigners in the the Japanese game in order to give up-and-coming youngsters a chance to play. The fact that Gamba Osaka were "fortunate" enough to have so many problems up front with their imported players, has meant that Hirai, along with Usami, Otsuka and, to a lesser extent, Hoshihara, have finally found themselves on the field. And none of them have wasted their chance.
But it is Hirai who has grabbed the baton with both hands, and both feet! Just look at the stats ... in the ACL he came in for the group games and hit four goals in a week in two games against Singapore Armed Forces. In the J.League he has hit 7 goals in 7 games, and those goals have come from only 15 shots registered! How's that for a ratio!? Compare that to another forward who might feel aggrieved at not going to South Africa - Jubilo's Maeda has scored 7 goals also, but from 11 games (and 25 shots). Yokohama's Watanabe has 7 goals from 12 games (including a PK). Hirai as a HUGE future.
Hirai made his debut in 2006 in an Emperor's Cup game, but had to wait until this season to get his big chance. After a few substitute appearances over the last two seasons he has come in and endeared himself to the Gamba faithful with his deadly accuracy and taking of chances. Gamba have a new hero! The future looks bright for Gamba Osaka up front! Now let's see what they can do about the back line... but that's another story!
If only Hirai hadn't been injured in April he would also be on the plane to South Africa (Yano? Please!) and Japan would also have a new hero .... it's a funny old game! |
Posted by Alan on 19 May 2010
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J1 Table at the Break ...
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Here's the J1 table going into the World Cup break .... looks like a five horse race already, although a resurgent Gamba Osaka might have something to say about that! Look out for Shoi Hirai as the top scorer this season - if he stays injury free! (see other story).
Kashima Antlers v. Shonan Bellmare, Kawasaki Frontale v. Omiya Ardija, Gamba Osaka v. Kyoto Sanga and Sanfrecce Hiroshima v. Cerezo Osaka were delayed from 8th May, when the ACL teams were scheduled to be playing their Last 16 matches, and will be played on 14th July. |
Posted by Alan on 19 May 2010
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J.League - the show MUST go on?
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John, down in Okinawa sends a question/comment on the fact that J.League never call games off (well, not quite never - I believe that two games have been called off - one for lightning, one for a pool of a pitch - in 15 years or so) ... anyone else have any experiences? Read on for John's day out in the rain! |
Posted by Alan on 16 May 2010
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Shonan Bellmare 1-3 Gamba Osaka
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Two more goals for Hirai - the World Cup came too early! |
Posted by Alan on 16 May 2010
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Seongnam 3-0 Gamba
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Gamba throw it away, only got themselves to blame? or ... referee gives it to Seongnam! Take your pic - personally, I think it's a bit of both! |
Posted by Alan on 11 May 2010
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Japan World Cup squad announced
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Yano in over the other options! Kawaguchi going along for the ride! No real surprises here.... read on for the complete squad details and other comments! |
Posted by Alan on 10 May 2010
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Gamba Osaka 4-4 Kawasaki Frontale
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Gamba throw away two points in up and down encounter! |
Posted by Alan on 07 May 2010
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J1 Table after 10 games
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Wild Weekday sees S-Pulse pull clear of the rest with an away win at Kyoto, who hit bottom. Results and table ..... |
Posted by Alan on 05 May 2010
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Vegalta Sendai 1-1 Cerezo Osaka
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Peter's take on Cerezo's latest away point ... |
Posted by Alan on 05 May 2010
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This is the Week That Matters!
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Gamba's chances of making a season start here ... |
Posted by Alan on 04 May 2010
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Cerezo Osaka 0-1 Nagoya Grampus
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Cerezo should have put this game to bed LONG before they lost it to an own goal in injury time! |
Posted by Alan on 01 May 2010
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Vissel 1-2 Albirex
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Albirex gifted their 1st win of the season, Vissel on the way to J2! |
Posted by Alan on 01 May 2010
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Gamba held in China, take 2nd spot in the group (ACL)
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Well, good for Japan anyway! A top spot would probably/hopefully have seen a game against Frontale ... now they've been kept apart! |
Posted by Alan on 28 Apr 2010
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Gamba Osaka 2-0 FC Tokyo
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Gamba continue their revival, with the kids coming through, too - can't be bad! |
Posted by Alan on 24 Apr 2010
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