Cerezo went down 3-1 to Frontale so join Kyoto in J2. Avispa take on Vissel Kobe for a J1 place in the play-off on Wednesday 6th (in Kobe) and Saturday 9th in Fukuoka.Reysol won 3-0 at Bellmare to join Yokohama FC in J1. Vissel lost 2-1 at Sendai to go into the play-offs……

I’m expecting a call from Vissel coach Stuart Baxter any day now, with a view to me sweeping up at the back for Vissel on Saturday!!….J1 and Gamba will be looking for a high-scoring finish to the season….Look how missing one player affects a team…..

Peter prodded, I replied and took it all out of context!

Peter commented, I added, subtracted, retorted, and set it out below! It’s Gamba by 4-1 next week!

I usually drone on and on about how many no-name foreigners are here in Japan, taking the place of the future of the Japanese national team…. but England (and other European countries have a similar problem, but for totally different reasons!! TOO MUCH MONEY in the game!!

Read on for more, and check out The Grampalog!

Kashiwa Reysol managed a last gasp winning goal against Sendai, while Yokohama FC overcame Vissel in Kobe, to take top spot, plunging Vissel down to the play-off spot…..

Sports Houchi reports that Guido Buchwald will quit as manager of the Reds at the end of the season. Reports say that his successor will probably be Hiromi Hara, former manager of FC Tokyo. Personally, I am SURE Engels could handle it on his won, but if he’s leaving too, and Vissel Kobe do not get Stuart Baxter to return, Engels must surely be a favourite for Vissel!!?

Peter and Alan swap comments on two games….

Peter comments and Alan replies on today’s Nabisco final….In front of 44,704 spectators at the Kokuritsu, JEF beat the Antlers 2-0 to become only the second team ever to hold on to the Cup, a feat only achieved before by Verdi Kawasaki who won it three times in a row from 1992 to 1994. …..