Peter has written that foreigners are good for the English game… I have replied with my feelings, and I feel it’s worth looking at – your comments invited, too!

Just a look at the top scorers in the J.League will tell you why the national team has problems scoring goals – the young Japanese forwards are not getting a look-in! More…. read on…..

Big weekend that saw Reds slip up, slightly, with a home draw, leaving Antlers in 2nd place 4 points back, and Gamba still in it five points back…..

Some one recently noted that Gamba were getting old and needed a few changes…. well, yer ‘onour, I submit that Gamba are just getting started! Read on….

As it happens – live…Gamba start, in their all white change strip, with Fugigaya in goal. Defence, from right back – Kaji, Sidiclei, Yamaguchi, and Yasuda. The Gamba midfield line up with Myojin as the defensive-based lynchpin, allowing Endo to have his roving role. Futagawa and Hashimoto fill the other Gamba midfield roles with, what is probably designated as a couple of play anywhere and everywhere freedom roles, ‘though Hashimoto will probably be the more defensive of the two – adding a double volante when necessary. Two forwards are Bare and Magno Alves, starting together for the first time in a while, after overlapping injuries to each.

Gamba succumbed 2-3 at Kashima but won (3-3) on the away goals rule, while Kawasaki Frontale took out Yokohama F Marinos 4-2 at home, to win 5-4 on aggregate! A Gamba Osaka vs. Kawasaki Frontale Final on November 3rd.

Peter researched a little and came up with the real story – I’ll leave my original mistaken, but relevant, comments below!

Vissel Kobe goalkeeper Enomoto returns next game after a three game ban – for WHAT!?

Not sure how (or what) to take (from) this game… Japan were 2-0 down within 12 minutes, from a free kick and a PK, yet had been under no pressure. Yano scored the winner with almost the last kick of the game – Japan’s first goal from open play since the Crimean War?Scorers, Nakamura (2 pens), Maki (!), Yano (!!).

Japan started with Kawaguchi in goal, a flat four of, left to right, Komano, Tulio and Nakazawa, Kaji. The double volante pair of Suzuki and Abe played behind Endo in the middle and Tanaka and Okubo who were switching sides regularly. Maeda ploughed a lone furrow upfront.