Japan striker Kisho Yano is poised to join German club Freiburg, continuing the exodus of international players to Europe since this year’s World Cup.Yano left for Germany on Thursday for talks with Freiburg officials after J-League club Albirex Niigata received a formal offer for the 26-year-old.”I couldn’t believe (the offer),” Yano told Japan’s Nikkan Sports newspaper. “I was hoping for this so I could move overseas. (jsoccer.COMment – so were the Albirex fans!)”I want to play on that kind of stage and I wanted to play with a first division team in Europe.”He would join Japan team mates Shinji Kagawa (Borussia Dortmund), Atsuto Uchida (Schalke 04) and Makoto Hasebe (Vfl Wolfsburg) in the German top flight. Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima joined Belgium’s Lierse after impressing at the World Cup while midfielder Yuki Abe is set to join English club Leicester City.Kisho Yano is Japan’s Emile Heskey! Lanky (but not as “beefy” as Emile), Allow me to explain:His ball control deserts him more often than it turns up…. He is missing from games for hours on end, and then pops up to remind you how brilliant he can be, or more often, that you have to get out and buy another sack of spuds for the Mrs.He’s manager’s pet (Martin O’Neill, I am talking about you!) … he’s rarely dropped, despite more talent getting splinters in the bum on the bench, and is selected time and again for the national team, while showing us bugger all on the field in the Samurai Blue shirt!Good luck to him … I suggest that he won’t be missed, even by Albirex Niigata! On the other hand, he could become a legend (or a leg end) in Germany!It’s a funny old game!

http://japanleaguesoccer.podbean.com/Disappointing for a Gamba fan – all the possession, but three goals against – two set plays and a wild speculative strike – more concentration, more closing down, and take the chances Gamba!Includes Pixy interview, Kennedy snippet and a curtailed Endo one-on-one – more to come on that!

JAPAN midfielder Yuki Abe is set to become Paulo Sousa’s latest addition to Leicester City’s squad after the Foxes tabled a bid for the 28-year-old.Abe, of Urawa Reds, has been told to take the next week off by his club after the Foxes approached the player’s agent with a deal to take him to the Championship.The holding midfielder has been capped 49 times for his country and was a big part of the Japan squad that reached the second round of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.Sousa needs to act quickly before next Tuesday’s transfer deadline.The experienced international midfielder seems set to agree on a move to experience English football!

Antlers 0-1 CerezoBellmare 1-4 RedsFC Tokyo 0-2 SanfrecceAlbirex 2-1 FrontaleSanga 1-2 Marinos….. Nagoya on 38 play Gamba (31) Sunday. Albirex (34) took out Frontale (35). It’s getting tight at the top … tomorrow’s games see Gamba at Nagoya, S-Pulse away to Jubilo in the Shizuoka derby, as well as a couple of relegation battles between Montedio and Vissel, and Ardija and Vegalta. Tight at both ends, just as the J.League wants it! A fight to the finish!

Nagoya, all the way down to Albirex must still fancy their chances!? Personally, I reckon one of the Osaka clubs is going to surprise us all! REALLY!

Albirex Niigata 4-1 Shimizu S-Pulse 30,076Gamba Osaka 1-1 Kashima Antlers 20,046Yokohama F Marinos 0-1 Montedio Yamagata 12,184Urawa Reds 1-1 Vegalta Sendai 32,231Cerezo Osaka 4-1 F.C.Tokyo 9,086Kawasaki Frontale 4-0 Nagoya Grampus 22,407Shonan Bellmare 2-2 Kyoto Sanga 9,302Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1-2 Omiya Ardija 9,945Jubilo Iwata 3-2 Vissel Kobe 8,049

It was Gamba all the way, but for a ballboy who gained an assist for the Antlers goal!!

This hot, humid, August week sees Gamba Osaka entertain Kashima Antlers – with the chance to pull within two points of them in 3rd place with a win on Tuesday night – followed by a trip to Nagoya, sitting at the top of the league this week.

Make or break for Gamba at the top, and Vissel at the bottom … both will know whether their seasons will have meaning by Sunday night! Cerezo also have the chance to pressure the top 3 this week, while Kyoto Sanga can accept they are heading for J and start rebuilding NOW!

Tuesday August 17th games:19.00 Albirex v. S-Pulse at Tohoku19:00 Gamba v. Antlers at Banpaku19:30 Reds v. Vegalta at Saitama19.30 Yokohama F Marinos v. Montedio at MitsuzawaWednesday August 18th games (all 19.00):Frontale v. Nagoya at Todoroki Shonan v. Kyoto at Hiratsuka Iwata v. Kobe at Yamaha Cerezo v. FC Tokyo at Kincho Stadium Hiroshima v. Omiya at Hiroshima.B