It is even closer than it was last week at the top AND the bottom of J1…. two points separate the top four, while – leaving out Sapporo at bottom – only five points separate the next NINE clubs from the relegation spots and that takes it all the way up to Vissel Kobe in 9th place. Even S-Pulse in 8th place, 10 points off the top, are only EIGHT points from that 2nd bottom place – it could go any way for any number of teams – probably Gamba Osaka and FC Tokyo are the only two teams that are not in danger of relegation yet are not fighting for the top. And their fans would probably argue that they still ARE in the hunt for the top spot! Where else but the J.League… here’s the table…

With goals from Nakazawa and Endo – proving that goals are coming from everywhere for Gamba this season – Gamba won their game in hand and sneaked up to 43 points and, while their goal difference is not nearly as good as the teams in contention for the title with them, a game against Kashima this coming Saturday will show us whether they are BACK or not….

The JFA have announced a warm-up game with Syria at Kobe Home’s Stadium has been arranged for Nov. 13, six days before the World Cup qualifier against Qatar at Doha, on Nov.19. jsoccer.com will be there!

Squad for the warm-up against UAE in Niigata on Oct.9th, six days before the Uzbekistan WC 2010 qualifier at Saitama on Oct.15….. Here’s the 26 named for those games….

It has to be said, this ex-Liverpool man learned from the best over many years and is now putting it into practice where it is needed…. Alex Miller has turned JEF United back into the team that Osim (senior) was making…. whih was then destroyed by Osim (junior)…. international players left in droves – Abe saw it coming and left early, but since then the likes of Yamagishi, Hanyu, Sato, and Mizumoto have all moved on, yet JEF now look as if they’ve turned the corner – hey, even Maki looks like a predatorial finisher! So, now…. this is what J1 looks like….

A story from the ‘net was passed to me a few days ago…. Japan is going to allow MORE foreigners into the league, but only if they’re NOT top class European imports. They can come if they’re Asian and not very good!! Read on….

Hey! It’s me again, going on about how all these foreigners are killing the Japan national team chances – and it’s getting worse! Take a look at the top scorers in Japan at this ten day break! Then tell me why Japan has a problem scoring goals!! Come on… think about it!

Coach Okada pickeda safe squad for the first game against Bahrain on Sept.6th, though jsoccer notes that the addition of Oguro at the last minute is very welcome. A predator, a guy who isn’t afraid to shoot from anywhere – it’s what Japan lacks – Tatsuya Tanaka (present) and Okubo (not in this squad) are as close as Japan has to that, apart from Oguro. Inamoto also back in the fold after injury, but a starter? Doubtful. The return of Endo to top form could be decisive, but the missing Yasuda is a disappointment for me!

Been a bit lacking in reports recently, been enjoying too much football, live J.league all over the place, plus the return of the Premier League on TV – who has time to write!? Half a J.League program tonight….

Mark, at Grampalog’s take on Vissel v. Grampus…http://grampus61.blogspot.com/2008/08/grampus-at-home-at-home.htmlI’d have to say that I didn’t think the ref was biased, more just inconsistently incompetent – it was a pleasure to sit next to you, Mark – except for that shirt you were wearing!