Some one recently noted that Gamba were getting old and needed a few changes…. well, yer ‘onour, I submit that Gamba are just getting started! Read on….

As it happens – live…Gamba start, in their all white change strip, with Fugigaya in goal. Defence, from right back – Kaji, Sidiclei, Yamaguchi, and Yasuda. The Gamba midfield line up with Myojin as the defensive-based lynchpin, allowing Endo to have his roving role. Futagawa and Hashimoto fill the other Gamba midfield roles with, what is probably designated as a couple of play anywhere and everywhere freedom roles, ‘though Hashimoto will probably be the more defensive of the two – adding a double volante when necessary. Two forwards are Bare and Magno Alves, starting together for the first time in a while, after overlapping injuries to each.

Gamba succumbed 2-3 at Kashima but won (3-3) on the away goals rule, while Kawasaki Frontale took out Yokohama F Marinos 4-2 at home, to win 5-4 on aggregate! A Gamba Osaka vs. Kawasaki Frontale Final on November 3rd.

Peter researched a little and came up with the real story – I’ll leave my original mistaken, but relevant, comments below!

Vissel Kobe goalkeeper Enomoto returns next game after a three game ban – for WHAT!?

Not sure how (or what) to take (from) this game… Japan were 2-0 down within 12 minutes, from a free kick and a PK, yet had been under no pressure. Yano scored the winner with almost the last kick of the game – Japan’s first goal from open play since the Crimean War?Scorers, Nakamura (2 pens), Maki (!), Yano (!!).

Japan started with Kawaguchi in goal, a flat four of, left to right, Komano, Tulio and Nakazawa, Kaji. The double volante pair of Suzuki and Abe played behind Endo in the middle and Tanaka and Okubo who were switching sides regularly. Maeda ploughed a lone furrow upfront.

I was thinking (by the way, I am a Grade 2 referee in Japan, only missing Grade 1 through age, but regularly referee J.league training games for Vissel, and have done Gamba, Nagoya and Cerezo, also) after seeing four or five full games and some highlights, that the J.League referees have suddenly improved big time. there is so much more contact allowed, so many times that advantage is being played – when it helps the attacking team – and, in general, good communication between officials, with Assistant Referees not scared to make their feelings known when the Head Referee misses something.

Miyamoto started in the centre of defence. With Alex also making an appearance, it was the first time that both of Salzburg’s Japanese contingent had made the starting line-up ….

After I refereed Vissel 3-2 Grampus Eight two, last Monday, I can safely say Vissel look GOOD! Today the entertained Jubilo Iwata and, while I can’t say much about their praqctice game last Monday (as it was a closed/private game), Vissel, having been 2-0 up after six minutes, coasted past Nagoya and looked SO confident ALL OVER the field…. so, could they keep it up in the J.League? Read on…..