Japan kick off a new year of football against South American opponents as they take on Venezuela tonight. Many expected Hirayama to get a start, especially with Tamada under the weather, and Ogasawara to get his first start in three years or so. Well, we got Oga, we didn’t get Hira – Okubo and Okazaki starting up front …. read on for the starting line-up and as-it-went match report!

For those of you who can’t read the Japanese stories out there…. here is a list of transfers from the end of the 2009 season until a few days ago. I’ll update the latest every few days now and start writing articles on the latest and best transfers as we go.This list is sorted by the J.League club that the player has ended up at. If anyone out there needs this in EXCEL, drop me an email at alan@jsoccer.com and I’ll send it along.The first names listed are those who retired or were released and, at this time, have no new club taking them on. If there is a ” – ” that means they have no new club (yet)… in the rest of the list the first named club is where the player was in 2009, the 2nd named club is where he is for 2010.Enjoy….Alan

Sota Hirayama scored a full national team debut hat trick after coming on as an early substitute when Japan were 2-0 down away at Yemen! While the 13 new call-ups and young team were not expected to get a big win, the fact that Okada changed it so early and the young guns were able to pull it around gives great encouragement! With the likes of Okubo, Tamada and other “regulars” rarely getting among the goals, it looks like Okada’s “gamble” to see what could be gained has yielded another prospect to fight for a place alongside Okazaki, Morimoto and, perhaps Honda in South Africa!The three points ensured Japan’s place in Qatar in the 2011 Asian Championships with a game to spare, too!”I must give the greatest praise to Hirayama, but him immediately becoming a full member in the national team is a different story. I must say he played to his potential , so there is great hope,” Japan coach Takeshi Okada told reporters, through interpreters, after the victory.Hirayama said: “We had to go home with a win and I just wanted to score again and again, But I’d like to to concentrate on myself this year, rather than looking for a place in the national team.”The FC Tkyo forward scored with a header in the 42nd minute and then trapped and swivelled in one great move to score the equaliser on 55 minutes. He then hit his hat trick with a difficult left-foot sliding volley.While Okada has said he “expects” a semi-final place, the Japanese tabloids have put the mockers on this and roundly seem to think that Japan will struggle to earn a point in a group with the Netherlands, Cameroon and Denmark. not very encouraging from the local press!The interesting team selection worked in two ways. The senior players were rested or allowed to stay in their leagues in Europe, while the three points were gained and qualification ensured … AND there could be a new start rising! Welcome to the full squad Sota Hirayama!!Now, why wasn’t this game televised in Japan! The newspapers are negative and the TV didn’t even think it worth showing? A sad state of affairs!!

Amid security fears, and surrounded by armed guards, Japan’s coach has thrown a few kids in at the deep end … Here’s the squad for tonight’s game against Yemen – is Okada taking the pi$$? or is he playing a trump card by choosing the youngest Japan side ever to see who can come through for him? He sort of did the same in France ’98 when he selected Ono and Ichikawa to join the squad, and left Kazu and Kitazawa at home … didn’t work then, though!!?

Gamba Osaka 4-1 Nagoya GrampusTwo goals for Endo, the first a 2-1 lead-taking shot was a perfect example of the fair play of this man. Minutes after Tamada got a yellow for a dive, Endo rode two late tackles to stay on his feet on the edge of the area (even though perfect poitions for his trademark free kicks) and put the ball away from 20 yards. Then Gamba’s passing and carefree don’t-care-if-we’re-winning-let’s-get-another-goal-anyway attitude brought the 3rd goal. And a wonderful control, turn and volley from Endo crowned the win!

Gamba dispacthed the relegated Chibans with ease … but what came after was worth waiting for …

Vissel Kobe have announced their cuts… stand by for the other teams as they come in!

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.