http://www.derwesten.de/staedte/bochum/Inui-will-mit-dem-VfL-aufsteigen-id4930041.htmlGood luck, Takashi!

Naoki Matsuda passed away in hospital, two long days after collapsing during a routine training exercise for his team, JFL’s Matsumoto Yamaga. Aged just 34, Matsuda arrived unconscious at hospital on Tuesday, August 2nd. It was a shock to all of us in the Japanese football world. We were all hoping that Naoki coud win another fight, but it was not to be.Matsuda, who won 40 caps for Japan and represented his country at the 2002 World Cup, had been put on an artificial respirator after the player had

Japan international Yuto Nagatomo returned to Italy this week after consulting his personal specialist in Hiroshima, Japan about his shoulder injury, suffered innIreland last weekend. It’s the second time Nagatomo has injured this shoulder and he elected to NOT go for surgery, returning to Italy to begin rehabilitation as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the Japan 23 for the Korea friendly was announced (see separate story below) with Inoha, Komano and even Koono able to fill in at left back. The position appears covered for now, and it’s not good news for Michihiro Yasuda, at Vitesse in Holland, who would have hoped to be the replacement. fast healing is wished for Nagatomo, and gambatte to Yasuda, for another chance at a place.

Goalkeepers:

A look at the ladies who brought glory to Japanese football, from Diarmud and Mariko … Click on the magazine section on the right of the page.

Thanks for visiting JSoccer.com – Japanese Football From the Inside. Many of you will also have JSoccer Magazine by now – if not mail me at alan@jsoccer.com now for details on how to get your copy – and the web site is being re-designed in order to give you even more updates and information on all aspects of Japanese Football. Please forgive us while we catch up with the web site. Improvements are underway! It’s all about the game! Live Football!

Gamba Osaka came out eventual winners in their second game in Saitama within a week, 3-2 victors with goals from Lee, Nakazawa and SY Kim, but it was not easy.

Cerezo destroyed Reysol 5-0, Shimizu and Kashima played out a 0-0 stalemate. Reds held Gamba 1-1 (see report), Avispa finally win at Kofu and Albirex picked up a vital win against Yamagata. In the other Saturday game it was Sendai 1-1 Nagoya.

Usami to Bayern – loan – confirmed.Inui to Bochum – a good possibility!Inoha to Hadjuk Split – rumoured!Honda to Juventus (see below!)Offers and interest from Germany, Holland, France, Belgium, England and more for the likes of Tadanari Lee, Kengo Nakamura, Eiji Kawashima, Shoki Hirai, Yasuhito Endo, Tulio … and more.I only hope our teams get decent fees / replacements and the players get the deal they want to live out their dreams!

Japan moved on to the knockout stage of the Under-17 World Cup in Mexico after an easy a 3-1 victory over Argentina. Japan ended the group stage with 7 points after holding France 1-1 and beating Jamaica in the opening game. In the final group game Japan thrashed Argentina on goals from Daisuke Takagi and Hiroki Akino. The group stage sees only 8 teams eliminated so it is all to play for – even Argentina, for example, in 3rd place are through and, if they beat England in the Round of 16, the will face Japan again, if the Junior Blue Samurai take care of New Zealand.So it really starts NOW, but a decent group stage will help the confidence!