The game of the weekend was played in torrential rain and might well have been stopped in some other countries! Here are the highlights!
All posts by Alan Gibson
Wins for Vegalta, Sanfrecce and Reds at the top…. losses for Gamba and Consadole at the bottom!
Consadole Sapporo 0-1 Albirex Niigata 7,673
Shimizu S-Pulse 0-0 Kawasaki Frontale 14,133
Urawa Reds 4-3 Sagan Tosu 30,047
Kashima Antlers 1-0 Omiya Ardija 12,787
F.C.Tokyo 3-2 Gamba Osaka 24,633
Yokohama F.Marinos 1-1 Cerezo Osaka 9,751
Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2-0 Jubilo Iwata 12,769
Vissel Kobe 0-1 Vegalta Sendai 15,062
Kashiwa Reysol 1-2 Nagoya Grampus 25,459
Starting at the top, Vegalta Sendai were very lucky to come away from Kobe with all three points, the home team having the lion’s share of possession and easily doubling the number of goal attempts over their visitors but it was Vegalta – in the shape of Akamine – who scored the decisive goal that separated the teams. Vissel coach Akira Nishino was satisfied with the performance, if not the result, as he begins to mold Vissel into shape, but they will have to take their chances if they are to challenge for the top spots. 19 goal attempts, 7 corners and plenty of the ball, but no points to show, Vissel will win more games in the coming weeks. Vegalta – well, playing under so much pressure and still coming out with an away win – the sign of a winning team! but how much longer can they hold on at the top?
At the bottom Consadole Sapporo went down, again, this time to their nearest challengers for relegation, Albirex Niigata. A single Atomu Tanaka goal gave the visitors maximum points and took them above Gamba Osaka, who lost narrowly to FC Tokyo in a thriller at Ajinomoto Stadium. In a familiar story, Gamba took control of the game, especially in a 2nd half onslaught, but failed to put away their chances and slipped below Albirex in the table at the half-way stage.
Shimizu S-Pulse failed, again, to score a goal – they are still looking for their 1000th J.League goal – being held, at home, by Kawasaki Frontale. There WERE goals, however, in Saitama as Urawa Reds stormed ahead – in more ways than one, the rain was torrential – against Sagan Tosu. Reds were up 1-0 at the break and then added three goals in a hectic five minute spell after the restart to look as if they were coasting to victory. It was then the away team’s turn, and they duly scored three goals in five minutes to bring the game back to 4-3 with a good 20 minutes left. But the gallant Sagan didn’t manage to get another goal and Reds hung on for three valuable points.
Kashima Antlers left it late, while registering 23 goal attempts, Daigo Nishi scoring the winner with a quarter of an hour left against Omiya Ardija, Antlers pulling away from the bottom, if only a little.
Yokohama F.Marinos managed a goal against Cerezo Osaka – Tomisawa finding the roof of the net from close range early on, before Kakitani again earned a point for Cerezo with a late equaliser. How much longer will he (and, while we are on the subject, Ogihara!) last at the team before he follows Kagawa, Inui, Ienaga and Kiyotake out of the revolving pink doors of Cerezo Osaka?
In the six-pointer between the 2nd and 3rd place teams, Sanfrecce dispatched the over-achievers of Jubilo and sent them slipping down the table. Sanfrecce stayed in touch at the top with goals from Koji Nakajima (76 minutes) and Koji Morisaki in added time.
Finally, for Saturday’s games – the halfway point of the season – Kashiwa Reysol’s impressive surge up the table came to an abrupt halt as Nagoya Grampus stole in and took the points. A cheeky back flick from Kennedy after a scintillating run at the defence from Nagai, and a cruel own goal from an inswinging corner gave Grampus the win.
Vegalta say top, with Sanfrecce on their heels and then it is just two wins separating the teams from Reds in 3rd to Vissel in 12th. AT the bottom, Consadole are still anchoring the division, while Gamba slip deeper into trouble as Albirex pull away.
Shimizu S-Pulse 0-0 Kawasaki Frontale – Afshin Ghotbi comments …
Text and picture from: www.afshinghotbi.com
July 7, 2012
Attendance: 14,133
Happy Birthday to S-Pulse!
Shimizu S-Pulse reached a milestone of becoming twenty years old, and the encounter against Kawasaki Frontale was the celebration of the this special occasion. The temperature of over 26 degrees plus 78% humidity created uncomfortable conditions for the players. It felt even hotter, as our players felt the pressure of delivering a victory as the birthday gift to our fans, registering the 1000th goal, and earning three points to get closer to the top of table. This fixture also had another significance as it marked the half-way point of the season.
The game started with the teams exchanging free-kicks off each other’s crossbar, but we dominated most of the exchanges throughout the night. The best chance of the first half fell for Kawai, as Alex rolled a ball in front of the goal for him. Former S-Pulse goalkeeper, Nishibe, made one of his two big saves on the night to deny us the victory. We increased the pressure and speed of the game in the final 30 minutes, and created enough openings to score several goals. Takahara, Omae and Takagi all had opportunities to win the game, but the clear chances were wasted. Another clean sheet, the best defending team in the J.League, but we failed to score for the 2nd consecutive game in the J.League. A disappointing result for all.
We share the frustration of all of our supporters, as we have dominated and controlled all of our recent games. We continue to struggle in front of goal, and we have given away important points in the J.League table, dropping to 9th position. A goal drought is common in football, and almost every team will go through a period in a season struggling with finishing. With the youngest team in the league, please be patient with us and support us through this period. I believe, with your help, we can fulfill our dream to lift the J.League trophy together. Through unity, hard work, and perseverance we can reach our target.
Thank you again for your support and encouragement, and I will do my utmost to achieve our goal. At the end, I take full responsibility. See you next Saturday at Nihondaira. Until then, so long.
Jリーグ J1 プリビュ 7月7日 19:00 サンフレッチェ広島 vs. ジュビロ磐田 （広島ビッグアーチ）
サンフレッチェ広島 — ＭＦ山岸は７月２日現在、病気のため出場の可能性は低い。
ジュビロ磐田 — ＭＦベク・ソンドンは韓国オリンピックチームに帯同中。ＧＫ川口の今季出場はなし。ＦＷ金園も９月まで欠場。
過去10年間の両チームの対戦成績は、ジュビロの９勝５敗３分け。すべてＪ１またはナビスコ杯。今季はすでにナビスコ杯でジュビロが僅差で勝利している。
先週、ＦＣ東京に勝利して、連敗を２で止めたジュビロ磐田（点27勝８敗５分３差+11）の、今日の対戦相手、２位広島との勝ち点の差は３。２-０の勝利で２位・３位が入れ替わるが、この試合を落とすと勝ち点差は６に広がる。韓国オリンピックチームに帯同中のベク・ソンドンの抜けた穴は大きい。今回のオリンピック参加選手の中ではおそらく最大の穴だ。ただ、得点34のジュビロ攻撃陣は現在Ｊ１最強。ベクの不在を感じさせないような試合を期待したい。
一方、サンフレッチェ広島（点30勝９敗４分３差+14）はここ２試合続けて首位の座につくチャンスを逃している。仙台の２試合連続引き分けに、サンフレッチェもお付き合いしたためだが、それまで続けていた連勝時の調子を取り戻したい。神戸が仙台を倒し、広島が磐田を下せば、サンフレッチェは首位に浮上する。サンフレッチェ広島の勝利！
J.League J1 Preview – 19:00 Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Jubilo Iwata – Hiroshima Big Arch
Sanfrecce Hiroshima – MF Yamagishi was announced as ill on July 2nd and must be doubtful.
Jubilo Iwata – MF Baek has joined the Korean Olympic team already. GK Kawaguchi out for the season. FW Kanazono out until September.
Nine wins for Jubilo, five for Sanfrecce and three draws over the last decade – all in J1, or the Nabisco Cup. Jubilo have already narrowly beaten their opponents in the Nabisco Cup this season.
Jubilo Iwata (3rd P16 W8 D3 L5 GD +11) ended a losing run of two games with a win over FC Tokyo last weekend and sit three points behind their rivals today. a 2-0 win will put them in 2nd spot, while a defeat will leave them six points behind Sanfrecce. Baek will be a big loss to the Korean Olympic team, possibly one of the biggest losses in J1 to that competition, but Jubilo have scored 34 goals – the best in the division and hope that one man does not make a team! Sanfrecce Hiroshima (2nd P16 W9 D3 L4 GD +14 Pts. 30) have manged to waste their chance of going top over the last two games. When Sendai drew their last two games, so did Sanfrecce, but before that they were on a winning run, and hope to get get back to that and, if Vissel Kobe can beat Sendai, Sanfrecce will go top with a win here. Expect a WIN for SANFRECCE HIROSHIMA!
Jリーグ J1 プリビュ 7月7日 19:00 ヴィッセル神戸 vs. ベガルタ仙台 （ホームズスタジアム神戸
ヴィッセル神戸 — ＭＦ/ＦＷ小川が肺挫傷の検査中、欠場の見込み。ＤＦ岩波はＵ19代表チームに帯同中。ＭＦ橋本は復帰可能。負傷中のＦＷ田代は復帰の見込み。
ベガルタ仙台 — ＤＦ上本の出場はあと２週間後の見込み。
ベガルタの４勝３敗４分け。４試合は2006年のＪ２時代。
ベガルタ仙台（点32勝９敗２分５差+18）は、ここ４試合で勝利は最下位コンサドーレ戦のみと、首位のプレッシャーに苦しんでいる。幸い、他の上位チームもお付き合いで星を落としているため、首位にはいるが、３位から11位までの勝ち点差はわずかに３と、幅が狭まってきている。ホームのヴィッセル神戸もそのひとつ。ただベガルタは、勝ち星にこそ恵まれていないが、チームの状態は良い。ブラジル人ストライカーのウィルソンも期待通りの働きをしており、ヴィッセルも手を焼きそうだ。
上位３チームに勝ち点わずか３の差で迫るチームのひとつ、ヴィッセル神戸（点24勝８敗８分０差-１）は、西野朗新監督のもと、この３試合を連勝している。好ウィング小川の肺挫傷による欠場は痛い。ただ、チーム自体にはまとまりが出て、プレーの質も高まっている。ジュビロ、フロンターレをどちらもアウェイで下しており、上位チームにひるむ様子はない。ヴィッセル神戸の勝利！
J.League J1 Preview – 19:00 Vissel Kobe vs Vegalta Sendai – Home's Stadium
Vissel Kobe – MF/FW Ogawa is expected to be out while tests are done on a Pulmonary Contusion. DF Iwanami is with the Japan U19 team. MF Hashimoto may be considered ready for return. FW Tashiro is doubtful but may return from injury.
Vegalta Sendai – DF Uemoto is out for another two weeks or so.
Four wins for Vegalta, three wins for Vissel, and four draws – four of those games in J2 in 2006.
While Vegalta Sendai (1st P16 W9 D5 L2 GD +18 Pts. 32) feel the pressure at the top and their results suffer – one win in four, and that against lowly Sapporo, the teams below them have, luckily for Vegalta, also dropped points left and right, which has, of course squeezed the table – only 3 points between 3rd and 11th, where we find Vissel Kobe. The away team are in good shape, despite the lack of wins recently, with Brazilian striker Wilson hitting his stride. He may be a handful for the Vissel defence. Vissel Kobe (11th P16 W8 D0 L8 GD -1 Pts. 24) sit “only” 3 points off a top three position and have won their last three games under new coach Akira Nishino. They may well be missing wing wonder Ogawa with a badly bruised chest, which would be a blow. but they are coming together as a team and the squad has depth. They have beaten Jubilo and Frontale (both away) in recent games and will not fear the top team. EXPECT a WIN for VISSEL KOBE!
Jリーグ J1 プリビュ 7月7日 19:00 横浜Ｆマリノス vs. セレッソ大阪 （三ツ沢競技場）
横浜Ｆマリノス — ＭＦ中村はもう２週間の欠場。ＤＦ天野は今季離脱。ＭＦ小倉はあと２週間で出場の見込み。
セレッソ大阪 — ＭＦ清武はニュルンベルクＦＣに移籍。ＭＦキム・ボギョンはすでに各国代表に帯同中。
泥沼のスタートから復活の兆しを見せていた横浜Ｆマリノス（点23勝５敗３分８差+３）、５戦無敗は無視できない成績だが、得点力が決定的に不足している。救いは、わずか13の失点という、サガン鳥栖に並ぶリーグ一のディフェンス力にある。ただ、降格ゾーンから安全圏に逃れるには、得点力アップが絶対条件となる。
一方、調子の浮き沈みの大きさではリーグ・トップのセレッソ大阪（点18勝５敗８分３差-４）は現在、負けや引き分けという面で「安定」してしまっている。清武の移籍、キム・ボギョンの韓国代表帯同（その後のヨーロッパへの移籍の可能性大）、加えて来週に迫った扇原、山口のオンピック出場による離脱を考えると、セレッソには今日の１勝が必要になる。どう贔屓目に見ても、今後は苦しい戦いが予想されるからである。この試合を落とすようなら、降格争いに巻き込まれるだろう。勝負は引き分けか！
J.League J1 Preview – 19:00 Yokohama F.Marinos vs Cerezo Osaka – Mitsuzawa
Yokohama F.Marinos – MF Nakamura out for two more weeks. DF Amano out for the season. MF Ogura out for another two weeks or so.
Cerezo Osaka – MF Kiyotake moved to FC Nuremberg. MF Kim has joined the Korean Olympic team already.
Six wins for Marinos, two for Cerezo, and four draws since 2003.
Just two goals in their last five games, but unbeaten in that time, Yokohama F.Marinos (12th P16 W5 D8 L3 GD +3 Pts. 23) had a terrible start to the season, then a mini-revival and, I suppose an unbeaten run should not be ignored, but they are lacking goals in a big way. Thankfully, they have conceded only 13 – the best record in the division with Sagan – but if they don’t start scoring they will continue to struggle to pull away from the relegation zone. Cerezo Osaka have had the most inconsistent season, although now they are showing some steadiness, unfortunately in the defeats or draws area! With Kiyotake moving on, Kim already away for the Olympics (and then strongly rumoured to be moving to Europe, also) and the loss of Ogihara and Yamaguchi to London from next week, they NEED a win today, because there won’t be many more points coming their way in the coming month or two, in my opinion. If Cerezo lose this they will be sucked into the relegation battle. EXPECT a DRAW!
Jリーグ J1 プリビュ 7月7日 19:00 柏レイソル vs. 名古屋グランパス – 国立競技場
柏レイソル — ＤＦ酒井は西ドイツに移籍。負傷者は控えのＧＫ二人だけ。
名古屋グランパス — ＦＷ玉田は手術後２ヶ月間の欠場。ＭＦ磯村、中村の二人は少なくとも２ヶ月間の欠場。ひざの手術を受けたＧＫ楢崎はこの試合には出場の見込み。
過去10年間の両チームの対戦成績は、グランパスの６勝４敗４分け。ただ、グランパスは2009年のアウェイ戦以降、勝利なし。
乱調の名古屋グランパスを迎え撃つ柏レイソル（点27勝８敗５分３差+７）は、鹿島アントラーズとの引き分け試合をはさんで現在連勝中、４位に浮上している。出だしこそ躓いたが、順調に勝ち点を積み上げての首位３差は、他のチームにとっては要注意だ。先週末はガンバを相手に10本のシュートで６点を叩きだしており、まさに効率的だ。
ここ２試合を引き分け、セレッソには敗北を喫している名古屋グランパス（点25勝７敗５分４差+１）は、勝ち点こそレイソルに２点差しかないが、今ひとつ調子が上がらない。今節を最後に、先月多くの得点を叩きだしたＦＷ永井が、ロンドン・オリンピック出場のためチームを離れる。大きな穴があくことになるが、この試合の勝利で勝ち癖を取り戻したいところだ。
試合は、引き分けか！