Very moving sayonaras at Banpaku yesterday for Bando and Matsuyo, but the most moving for me was JEF’s ex-Gamba and Cerezo defender Saito Daisuke who was invited to the microphone after Matsuyo had done his bit and Saito – watched by both complete squads made a goodbye speech praising his time at Gamba, etc. and thanking JEF (of course)… the best part was the Gamba fans started chanting his name and then the JEF fans joined in, echoing the same chant, but not in unison, more of an echo… Gamba fans – Daisuke , JEF fans – Daisuke, etc. very nice touch that brought a lump to my throat and a tear to me eye … I have known Saito since way back at Gamba, and call him now and again to chat about stuff – his English is excellent, actually, not that that’s relevant – so it was nicely coincidental that his last game was at Banpaku after all these years.Matsuyo emphasised that he was still genki, so I guess he is hoping for offers from another team …. Saito retired – and will be a coach of Junior Youth or Youth at JEF…. Bando emphasised, in his own enthusiastic and amusing way with the microphone in front of the Gamba end – that he was NOT retiring! He has had an offer from Cerezo, though not yet officially announced, as well as some other “lesser” offers …. we’ll see where he ends up, but whoever gets him, they’ll be getting a player that gives – and demands -100%. Good luck to him.

The scoreline doesn’t tell the whole story as Gamba took this to Antlers and, but for a few decisions going against them – hello Mr. Yoshida! (PKs, red card for Lucas) – they could have been in the lead, instead of having to finish the game in a 1-4-4 formation and leaving themselves open for two more late strikes as they went for goals!

Gamba anilhilate S-Pulse’s hopes of a winning season and nail three points to make it wide open at the top.

Gamba Osaka earn a quarter final place in the Emperor’s Cup… next stop Antlers!

Yes, Oita did us all a favour by taking out Frontale 1-0 today… Gamba and Antlers won yesterday, so it’s wide open at the top…. Gamba beat Kashima next week and it’s all down to the last day… and Reysol could be fighting for their life on the last day so Kawasaki will have their hands full! Gamba to destroy JEF and take it!?

“I was joking on the sidelines saying, ‘You Americans have been dying to get it to four quarters and you finally got it!'”David Beckham after LA Galaxy’s Western Conference play-off final with Houston was affected by power cuts!

Motoaki Inukai, president of the Japan Football Association (JFA), wants the noisy VUVEZULA to be banned from the World Cup in South Africa, along with most of us who watched the game on TV!Fifa has rejected any previous requests for a ban on the noisy plastic instrument.Japan have now joined the voice against the cacophony and appealed to South African officials after the friendly against the World Cup hosts last Saturday.Tulio, the Japan centre back, said: “You can’t hear what your team-mates are saying from two metres away.”The VUVEZULA is apparently vital to South African football fans but the incessant noise from the air horns triggered multiple complaints from players, coaches and broadcasters during this year’s Confederations Cup.When asked for his thoughts on the noisy instrument, Japan coach Takeshi Okada responded, “Perhaps if they play good football the fans will be quiet and watch.” Nice one Mr. Okada, but can you get our boys playing decent footie, too!?

J2 Sendai downed Nabisco Cup winners Tokyo by three goals to nil, while FC Gifu took out JEF United, to keep the J2 interest up in this year’s tournament. Vissel took Antlers to the final minutes, Frontale narrowly squeaked past F Marinos and Gamba, S-Pulse, Niigata and Grampus had easier times in their games.

Tokyo and S-Pulse fans should forgive me for not considering them in this equation but I think it’s down to Frontale, Antlers and Gamba to either win it or allow the others to take it. These three SHOULD take the ACL spots, though. But who will make it to the top on the final day? A first-time Champion in Kawasaki? Or a three-peat for Antlers? Or will Gamba pull back those four points and take it!!?Let’s take a look…..

Lucas hits a hat trick… Gamba march on…