Kashima took out Nagoya 2-1 on an extra time goal from Shibasaki, as substitute Motoyama made his mark within a minute of coming on with a super defence-splitting pass.Urawa Reds knocked out an off-form Gamba Osaka on a poke-in from Umesaki and goal credited to Esdudero, who deflected in another Umesaki shot with his hand! Gamba sub Otsuka pulled one back in injury time but too little, too late for the J1 leaders.The final takes place on October 29th.

It’s Nagoya Grampus v. Kashima Antlers (Nagoya, 13.00) and Urawa Reds v. Gamba Osaka (Saitama, 17.00) today in the J.League Cup semi-finals. After the excitement and goals of the quarter-finals fans should be in for another treat today, before Japan take on Tajikistan in Nagai on Tuesday night.In Japan both are on TV on two different FujiTV channels on the SkyPerfecTV service.

so a few weeks’ worth of stories disappeared… you’ve got the olfdstuff and you’ll get the new stuff, but the bits in between are GONE Sad ….. but let’s look to the FUTURE!

8 goals from just 19 shots in 13 games …. but how many MINUTES has he actually played this season – answers on a postcard!

Despite there being no links from the Japanese web site, I did compile a complete history of Vissel Kobe, for the team, a few years back, and I notice it’s still searchable, if not linked from the site!!Here is the opening page and then click around!http://www.vissel-kobe.co.jp/vissel_e/history.html

12 Kawasaki Frontale 30 -413 Albirex Niigata 29 -214 Urawa Reds 28 -115 Omiya Ardija 28 -1116 Ventforet Kofu 21 -2317 Montedio Yamagata 20 -1618 Avispa Fukuoka 12 -36

Just five points separating top six in J2…1 F.C.Tokyo 45 +232 Consadole Sapporo 43 +93 Tokushima Vortis 42 +114 Tochigi SC 42 +115 JEF United Chiba 41 +96 Sagan Tosu 40 +157 Giravanz Kitakyushu 37 -18 Tokyo Verdy 34 +169 Oita Trinita 34 +010 Ehime FC 34 -211 Thespa Kusatsu 33 -712 Shonan Bellmare -413 Roasso Kumamoto 31 -914 Yokohama FC 30 +015 Fagiano Okayama 30 -716 Kyoto Sanga F.C. 27 -717 Kataller Toyama 24 -1318 Gainare Tottori 23 -519 Mito Hollyhock 23 -1020 FC Gifu 12 -29

Giravanz Kitakyushu 1-1 Tokushima VortisF.C.Tokyo 6-1 Kyoto Sanga F.C.JEF United Chiba 3-3 Sagan TosuGainare Tottori 1-1 Fagiano OkayamaConsadole Sapporo 1-0 Tochigi SCMito Hollyhock 0-2 Oita TrinitaYokohama FC 0-1 Ehime FC Kataller Toyama 2-3 Shonan BellmareFC Gifu 1-1 Roasso KumamotoThespa Kusatsu 0-0 Tokyo Verdy

1 Gamba Osaka 53 +222 Yokohama F･Marinos 50 +143 Kashiwa Reysol 50 +104 Nagoya Grampus 49 +205 Kashima Antlers 39 +11Next week Yokohama F. Marinos v. Gamba Osaka – a real “six-pointer” indeed!

Avispa Fukuoka 0-1 Yokohama F･MarinosCerezo Osaka 5-4 Sanfrecce HiroshimaKashiwa Reysol 2-1 Nagoya GrampusGamba Osaka 2-0 Omiya ArdijaJubilo Iwata 2-1 Shimizu S-PulseAlbirex Niigata 2-2 Kashima AntlersUrawa Reds 0-1 Montedio YamagataVentforet Kofu 1-2 Vegalta SendaiKawasaki Frontale 0-3 Vissel Kobe