Leandro Montera da Silva – simply known as Leandro to the Gamba faithful – is currently in his 5th season in Japan, yet – born on Feb.12 1985 – is still only 24. His form and fortunes have grown exponentially after his first season at Omiya (7 appearances, 1 goal). In 2006 he caught the eye of many with 23 goals in 40 appearances in J2 with Montedio Yamagata and made the move to J1 with Vissel Kobe where, despite some long-term injuries, and playing in a team struggling to keep up with the “big boys”, he struck 22 goals in 57 games over two seasons.2009 sees him in the blue and black of Gamba Osaka and, before a month-long injury break had managed 8 goals in 11 J.League games for the AFC Champions… but it is in the AFC, in the ACL group games where he has really made his mark this season. Despite Gamba crashing out in the last 16 game, Leandro scored two goals in the 2-3 defeat to Kawasaki Frontale and took his tally in the tournament to ten – the most by any player since the ACL began in 2002.Gamba coach, Akira Nishino has made a name for himself by taking Brazilian strikers from other J.League teams and turning them into matchwinners. Araujo, Bare and Magno Alves all had reasonable seasons before joining the Gamba stable but his top form under Nishino. It looks like Leandro is the next one in line.He strikes with power with either foot – and his head – slices through defences with pace and skill, and creates chances from nothing with quick thinking that match the swift feet! He scores, but he also creates, from either wing and though the middle. Gamba’s passing game suits him and he can finish off a move or allow someone else to score the goals!It’s only a matter of time before the big clubs come calling but, if Gamba can hold on to their asset for a few years he could well make J.League history!

Mark tells me that The SpoNichi is reporting that Omiya may make a move for Inamoto. I still think Vissel should go for him as I hinted about six months ago, but it’s said (even by Mark) that if Vissel get Okubo back in, they may not pursue their interest in Ina :-(http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/news/2009/06/15/01.htmlCome on Ina, I want to hear that Brummie accent in Kobe!

So… how about those Syrian (silly ‘un) officials in the Uzbek – Japan game, eh? By the time Hasebe flicked an elbow at a defender in frustration and got a deserved red card, the Japanese had put up with so much cr@p… no excuse for Hasebe, but, let’s pray to the gods of FIFA that we never see THIS bunch of “officials” again – EVER!And, by the way… if you wondered what Okada got a red card for – it was for standing on the edge of his technical area and trying to instruct his players what to do, and how to cover the loss if Hasebe! The referee got the wrong end of that stick, for sure. Let’s hope the AFC/FIFA or whoever is in charge give Mr. Okada a break!

It was with GREAT pleasure that I watched Japan win two Kirin Cup games by a score of 4-0 in late May. But it was an even greater pleasure to see someone who I have been calling “the best uncapped player in Japan” for many years finally make an appearance for the national team. Satoshi Yamaguchi came on in the 78th minute, wearing his very own no.5, replacing Makoto Hasebe and made history. And may I say that, in his second appearance a few days later, when he came on for Tulio at about the same time, Japan looked SO much better than with the hot-headed Urawa Reds centre back on the field. Tulio was lucky that Rob Stiles was not in Premier League mode or there were TWO different occasions that Tulio warranted a red card!Yamaguchi, unfortunately did not even make the bench for the Uzbekistan game, which is hopefully NOT a sign of things to come and, if Tulio’s performance in that match is taken into consideration, Yamaguchi could well (should!) get a starting berth against Qatar!Congratulations Satoshi Yamaguchi – now I need to find another “best uncapped player” to be trumpeting!

The Australians will be without skipper Lucas Neill in their next qualifying game for 2010, as he will serve a one-match ban after being booked for a crude challenge on Qatar striker Sebastian Soria Quintana.It was his second booking of the qualifying stages.I quote him – “That was tactical,” said Neill, who didn’t want to risk getting booked in the final qualifiers – after Australia had already qualified yesterday with a draw against Qatar – and miss the opening match of the World Cup.Now, correct me if I am wrong, but this kind of “sportsmanship” has been highly discouraged, and even punished with extended bans (to cover the game that the player tried to ensure he could play in) in some leagues in Europe? Can we expect action here, as the player has openly boasted of his “clever” tactic?

Yes, so it’s a little tenuous, and they only beat Australia (and Holland, for that matter) because of the time difference of the kick-offs, but Japan can claim to have been the first team to qualify for a World Cup for the 2nd time in a row!Anyway… now that both Oz and Nippon are in, let’s see if Japan can’t overcome that slightly better goal difference against Australia with a big win against Qatar, before the “crunch” game against Australia later this week….. coming top of this group MIGHT help a little in the seeding for 2010! So, let’s go for it! Yamaguchi in for Tulio, though, please!

After two impressive 4-0 wins in succession in the Kirin Cup games against Chile and Belgium – the fact that those teams may not have given their all irrelevant as Japan feasted on the goals, finally, thereby gaining confidence for the one that matters – Japan, in the shape of Shunji Okazaki (Kobe boy done good!), with his 7th international goal in eight games – won away in Uzbekistan and qualified for South Africa….

While I’d expect Gamba to take this in a high-scoring thriller, they might just miss Leandro more than Antlers miss Ogasawara!?

Reds look relieved at “gaining a point” against Gamba! What a sad team they are! No bite, no spirit, little action…. just enough to nullify Gamba and the usual gamesmanship, of course – though not much of that, even, today!

.. and they’ve banned pet pigs, too!? The virus is everywhere, this won’t stop anything happening – let’s take life as normal, eh?