All posts by Alan Gibson

Previews

PREVIEW – Vegalta Sendai v. Shimizu S-Pulse – May 6th

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Vegalta Sendai – FW Akamine still expected to be unavailable through injury.

Shimizu S-Pulse – MF Alex Brosque and FW Jymmy Franca are available after suspension.

Shimizu S-Pulse (P9 W6 D0 L3 GD +4) sit in a confident 2nd place after destroying a resurgent Kashima Antlers on Thursday, despite being without Brosque and Franca. Another fine goal from Takagi underlined what a strength in youth this team has under coach Afshin Ghotbi, who believes that his team can win the Championship this year. This game will be a huge test for his team as they seek to end Vegalta Sendai’s unbeaten start to the season.

Vegalta Sendai (P9 W7 D2 L0 GD +13) have confounded the critics by remaining unbeaten so far but the same thing happened last season before the team ran out of steam amid some tough challenges. With this visit of the 2nd place team being a tough test to their title credentials expect them to pull out all the stops but, unless all of their players are firing on all cylinders, this could be the end of tht unbeaten run. EXPECT a WIN for SHIMIZU S-PULSE!

S-Pulse have three wins, Vegalta have one, and we have two draws. Vegalta’s only win in this fixture came back in 2003!

In the Mix, Reports

J1 Round-Up, May 3rd, Matchday 9

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J1 Round-Up, May 3rd, Matchday 9

Here are the results:

Consadole Sapporo 1-0 Cerezo Osaka
Vissel Kobe 3-0 Omiya Ardija
Kawasaki Frontale 4-3 Jubilo Iwata
Sanfrecce Hiroshima 0-1 Albirex Niigata
Sagan Tosu 1-1 Vegalta Sendai
Urawa Reds 1-2 Yokohama F. Marinos
Shimizu S-Pulse 3-0 Kashima Antlers

JSoccer.COMment:
Cerezo proved once and for all how inconsistent they are by giving Cosadole Sapporo their first win of the season! Yusuke Kondo scored the winner in the 25th minute and Consadole hold on for the three points.

Vissel Kobe fired coach Wada, put Adachi in charge for a couple of games while they work out finances with Akira Nishino, travel arrangements with Stuart Baxter, or work up enough courage to approach Pep Guardiola! (I also suggested that Michael Laudrup be considered!). The new coach will be happy to know that Vissel played with freedom and confidence and destroyed Omiya Ardija with ease! Goals from Ogawa, lee and Mogi (his first touch) sealed the points for Vissel.

Frontale found their goalscoring touch under new coach Kazama, but almost let Jubilo back into the game late on. Jubilo are being found out after their start seemed better than they deserved? Yajima scored two for Frontale.

Sanfrecce gave Albirex their first win of the season, just when it seemed Sanfrecce would make a run at Sendai on top. Were Sanfrecce bad, or did Albirex finally come good? A bit of both, it seems!

Tosu held unbeaten Vegalta to a draw, just as predicted on this very site in the previews. Is that the beginning of the end for Sendai? Will S-Pulse take them out this weekend and send them on a downward spiral? Watch this space!

Reds gave Marinos an unexpected second win in-a-row on Thursday. Saito scored a lovely goal (does he ever score simple ones!!?), Makino matched his brilliance with one of his own to make it 1-1, but old soldier Marquinos came on as a late sub and confounded us all with the winner!

S-Pulse staked their claim to be title contenders with a 3-0 drubbing of resurgent Antlers. Ito popped one in at close range very early on, then Takagi scored a screamer, and Omae another well taken volley to round out the scoring and send the away team back to Kashima under a cloud.

Note that FC Tokyo v. Kashiwa Reysol and Gamba Osaka v. Nagoya Grampus – postponed die to ACL commitments – will be played on June 27

Previews

Preview – Vissel Kobe v. Omiya Ardija – May 3rd

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Vissel Kobe v. Omiya Ardija – Kobe to Stop the Slide for New Coach!

Vissel Kobe – FW Okubo out for at least six more weeks. MF Haneda out for a month. DF Komoto is back in training.

Vissel Kobe’s (P8 W3 D0 L5 GD -6) win against Kashiwa Reysol two matches back saved coach Wada’s job, temporarily, but the loss to Yokohama F. Marinos last week was the straw that broke the camel’s back and coach Wada was released, with Adachi taking over temporarily while Vissel iron out details with ex-Gamba coach Akira Nishino, if press reports are to be believed. The “new coach syndrome” always helps and Omiya Ardija (P8 W# D2 L3 GD -3) have been inconsistent, even though they have amassed some decent players for this season, especially Cho and Shimohira making a difference to the left side of the team.

It will be interesting to see which players Adachi goes for for Vissel or if a manager is already influencing him behind the scenes before he officially takes over. Whatever happens Vissel will have the home crowd, the adrenalin of a coaching change, EXPECT a WIN for VISSEL KOBE!

Five wins for Omiya, four wins for Kobe and four draws over the years, all in J1.

Previews

PREVIEW – Consadole Sapporo v. Cerezo Osaka – May 3rd

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Cerezo Osaka – DF Takahashi out for at least two more weeks.

Cerezo Osaka (P8 W4 D1 L3 GD +3) showed their good side for most of the game last week going 3-0 up against Jubilo Iwata before it ended 3-2. They are the most inconsistent team ever, it seems but surely they can’t fail against a Consadole Sapporo (P8 W0 D1 L7 GD -9) who have lost seven straight games since their opening day draw.

The youngsters of Cerezo Osaka, led by Kiyotake and Kim still need guidance – hence the inconsistency and, if both of those players move to Europe in the summer transfer window, as has been posited by various parts of the press, Cerezo wil have to rebuild again – something they are getting used to after losing Kagawa, Inui and Ienaga in recent times. But that’s the future, for today EXPECT a WIN for CEREZO OSAKA!

Consadole have four wins to Cerezo’s three wins in seven J2 meetings. There have been no draws between these two teams and this will be their first ever meeting in J1.

Previews

Note that these two games are scheduled for 27th June (Wednesday), allowing for ACL games this week:

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Note that these two games are scheduled for 27th June (Wednesday), allowing for ACL games this week:
FC Tokyo v Kashiwa Reysol
Gamba Osaka v. Nagoya Grampus

以下の２試合は、今週のACLゲームのため、６月27日（水）に予定されている。
ＦＣ東京 vs. 柏レイソル
ガンバ大阪 vs. 名古屋グランパス

Previews

PREVIEW – Urawa Reds v. Yokohama F. Marinos – May 3rd

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Reds Too Strong For Marinos!

Team News
Urawa Reds – Naoki Yamada is a long-term injury absentee
Yomokaha F.Marinos – Tomisawa is suspended. DF Amano is a long term absentee through injury. Marquinos in training but will not be match fit even if available.

Match Preview
Last time out both teams were successful and both need wins to keep up the momentum gaimed. Urawa Reds (P8 W5 D1 L2 GD +4) line up in equal 2nd place on goal difference after two seasons of struggle and a win here would keep them in touch with leqders Sendai. Coach Petrovic’s three back system has been picked up quickly by the players and it now seems that key player Yuki Abe has settled at defensive midfield after being tried atnentre back. The re-emergence of Tsuboi in the back three has helped that choice.
Yokohama F.Marinos (P8 W1 D4 L3 GD -2) finally won their first game of the season last time out, against Vissel Kobe, with three goals in a seven minute spell. The fnishing was good, but the msrking was suddenly slack and, while a win will do the team wonders, there was little changed in their perfromance, some fans might well have been disappointed that the win meant that their coach was not fired, as must be being considered, even now. Perhaps a delay of the inevitable, as they will struggle to come out of this game with anything.
EXPECT a WIN for URAWA REDS!

Head to Head
Ten wins for Reds, nine for Marinos and five draws in 24 J1 and Nabisco Cup meetings. Both 2011 meetings were away wins.

Previews

PREVIEW – Shimizu S-Pulse v. Kashima Antlers – May 3rd

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S-Pulse to Stop Antlers Revival!

Team News
Shimizu S-Pulse – Alex Brosque and Jymmy Franca are suspended.

Match Preview
Eight yellow cards and two reds last time out and Shimizu S-Pulse (P8 W5 D0 L3 GD +1) still managed to take maximum points from FC Tokyo. Today they will be missing Franca, no big loss, and Alex Brosque – a bigger blow to be sure. Supersubs from the nine-man win over Tokyo, Takahara and Takagi may be called on to start this time and S-Pulse will be hoping to continue their fine run against a Kashima Antlers (P8 W3 D1 L4 GD +1) who have now won three games in a row after a dire start.
The mix of youngsters and experienced players is beginning t blend well for Shimizu, although Shinji Ono still appears to be carrying an injury and will be hard-pressed to comlete a full game.
Kashima scored five against Gamba Osaka in their last game, although they had big help from a dire defence and goalkeeper, but the likes of Koroki and Osako will be brimming with confidence after getting on the scoresheet, after a bad start fr the team as a whole. Influential midfielder Endo, who outplayed his famous namesake in the Gamba midfield last game, is living up to potential shown over the las few years and will be a key player for the team as the older heads like Motoyama and even Ogasawara gradually fade away and are replaced by the new generation.
Despite being weakened through players carrying injuries, and suspensions, EXPECT a WIN for SHIMIZU S-PULSE!

Head to Head
Ten wins for Kashima, four for Shimizu and eight draws over the years. Kashima won last time out but the four before that produced three of those eight draws.

Uncategorized

PREVIEW – 川崎フロンターレ vs. ジュビロ磐田 – 5月3日

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こう着状態の両チーム？

チーム状況
川崎フロンターレ — ＤＦジェシ、あと２ヶ月は出場の見込みなし。
ジュビロ磐田 — ＤＦ千代反田もまだ出場の見込み立たず。ＧＫ川口は長期離脱

ゲーム・プレビュー
前節、ホーム開催のサンフレッチェ広島戦では、ゴールゲッター佐藤寿人の活躍を許し、川崎フロンターレ（点10勝３分１敗３差０）は、風間新監督に勝利を贈ることができなかった。稲本を初めてセンターバックとして起用した新監督だったが、ＤＦジェシを欠いていたこともあり、うまく機能しなかったので、バックラインの立て直しが必要になる。この不振状態からの脱却には、やはり中村憲剛に期待がかかるが、問題は、中村一人の力でそれが可能かということだ。今季、苦しい戦いを余儀なくされるチームのひとつとして、私はフロンターレを挙げていたが、現在の選手層を見ると苦戦はしばらく続きそうだ。

ジュビロ磐田（点14勝４分２敗２差＋２）も、今季の不振を予測できたもう一つのチームだ。現在の順位が決して実力に裏付けられたものでないことは、じきにわかるだろう。前節のセレッソ大阪戦では、ディフェンス陣の脆さを露呈したジュビロだったが、今節のフロンターレの前線もそれなりの選手を揃えている。ベテラン川口の不在もさらなる不安材料だ。この試合は低得点の引き分けゲームになるか？
レナトらを擁するフロンターレにはセットプレーという強みがあるが、狡猾さと運動力を欠くためＪ１の長丁場を乗り切る力はない。引き分けの公算大！

直接対決
共に７勝ずつ、引き分けが２試合と、五分五分だ

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PREVIEW – サンフレッチェ広島 vs. アルビレックス新潟 – 5月3日

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チーム状況
サンフレッチェ広島 — 森崎和幸が出場停止
アルビレックス新潟 — ブルーノ・ロペスが出場停止

ゲーム・プレビュー
前節、アウェイゲームでフロンターレを一蹴したサンフレッチェ広島（点16勝５分１敗２差＋８）は、首位を走るベガルタ仙台に更なるプレッシャーをかけるべく、この一戦に臨む。17位と低迷するチーム相手に得点の荒稼ぎを狙っているに違いない！体調万全の佐藤寿人は、右に構えるミキッチからの供給を受けて得点を重ねている。今日も高得点ゲームが期待できる。
これまでの８試合、アルビレックス新潟（点５勝１分２敗５差－４）は、乱調のセレッソ大阪に唯一勝利したのみで、引き分けは２つ、後は黒星を重ねている。全８試合で挙げた得点はわずか４点と悲惨なチーム状況だ。シーズン前、私はアルビレックスの降格を予想したが、今季これまでの経過からも、その予想を覆すようなものは何一つない。「放蕩息子」矢野貴省の海外移籍からのチーム復帰は、サポーターにとっての吉報だった。ただ、出場の機会に恵まれず、ベンチにすら入れなかった内容の乏しい移籍ではあった。チームが低迷しているのも不思議ではない！この試合、サンフレッチェ広島の勝利！

直接対決
戦績は通算、サンフレッチェの10勝、アルビレックスの４勝、引き分けが７試合。2009年以来、アルビレックスは勝利していない。

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PREVIEW – サガン鳥栖 vs. ベガルタ仙台 – 5月3日

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チーム状況
サガン鳥栖 – 金民友は出場停止。ＭＦ高橋はあと１ヶ月は出場の見通しなし。
ベガルタ仙台 — 赤嶺は今節も不在。

ゲーム・プレビュー
８試合を消化した現時点で首位をひた走るベガルタ仙台（点22勝７分１敗０差＋13）は、広島と浦和を、勝ち点では６差、得失点差でも大きく引き離している。「はたしてこのまま行けるのか」、「Ｊリーグ杯にまた新しい名が刻まれるのか」、よく聞く質問だが、時間が答えを出してくれるだろう。シーズンが進むにつれて、プレッシャーが強くなってくるのは確かだ。関口がこのまま調子を保ち、太田と赤嶺がチャンスをものにし続けるなら、独走するベガルタに追いつくのは困難になっていくことだろう。
サガン鳥栖（点14勝4分２敗２差＋４）は今季のサプライズ・チームだ。Ｊ１初デビューの今季、２位チームに勝ち点で２差の５位は、大方が降格争いを見越していた当初の予想を大きく覆すものだ。前節は、2011年度チャンピオン柏とアウェイで引き分けている。首位ベガルタの勢いも止めてしまうのか！低得点の引き分けと見る！

直接対決
両チームの直接対決は、Ｊ１ではこれが初の組み合わせになるが、過去23試合で引き分けはわずか１試合！仙台の13勝、サガンの９勝。