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J1 Preview – Sat. October 27th – 14.00 – Urawa Reds v. Cerezo Osaka at Saitama Stadium

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Cerezo to do S-Pulse a BIG Favour and hold off Reds?

Team News – Urawa Reds – MF Yajima will miss the game on Japan U-19 duty.

Cerezo Osaka report no injuries or suspensions.

Head to Head – Eight wins for Reds, five for Cerezo and two draws in a decade of J1 and Nabisco Cup meetings.

Match Preview – Urawa Reds have lost three out of their last five when they could have been challenging for the top spot, and find themselves six points adrift of the top two, WAY behind in goal difference too, AND under attack from the trio of teams on 45 points, just three behind them as we go into the last five games. Reds’ lack of a real striker has been their downfall – relying on late Popo goals is not a strategy for a winning team and having to start him as a lone striker shows desperation! Keep this team together, add a real striker and maybe, just maybe, a 2013 Championship challenge might be seen. But today a resurgent and relaxed Cerezo Osaka may put paid to a top spot dream altogether and even knock them out of the top three.

Cerezo re-hired coach Levir Culpi to keep them in J1, nothing more, and it looks as if he has done that. Cerezo realistically need another 2 or 3 points from their final games to be sure and then they can plan ahead for next season, try to keep their best players from oving on, and find a coach that can bring out the potential that these players, this team has. They are relaxed indeed under Culpi but he is not staying, they’ll win a few more games for him before he goes home, though. Including this one? Maybe! EXPECT a DRAW!

In the Mix, Previews

J2 Promotion Play-Offs all arranged . . .

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The ticket to J1 Play-Off Semi-Finals – among the J2 teams that finish 3rd to 6th – will take place on Sunday November 18th, with both games will kicking off at 14:00 – the games will be played at the home stadiums of the teams finishing 3rd (against the team finishing 6th) and 4th, against the 5th placed team.

Unless plans have changed, a draw after 90 minutes will be enough to see the higher-placed team (host/home team) in the tie go through to the final.

The Play-Off Final – with the 3rd J1 promotion place at stake will be held on Friday November 23rd (don’t worry, it’s a National Holiday) at Kokuritsu aka National Stadium in Tokyo, kicking off at 13:00. Again, unless plans have changed, if this match ends in a draw at 90 minutes, the higher-placed team in J2 will progress and join Kofu and AN Other in J1 for 2013.

See page 26 of JSoccer Magazine Issue 5 for more details, as well as the J2 / JFL promotion/relegation possibilities.

In the Mix, Previews

Matchday 29 – JSoccer Magazine Previews J1 Saturday October 20th

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13:00 Vegalta Sendai vs. Urawa Reds at Yurtec.S – Reds to Kill Off Sendai Title Hopes?

Urawa Reds need a win to match the 51 points of Vegalta Sendai – a loss and they go six points back with just five games to go. They’d probably have to give up on their championship hopes so need at least a draw, but preferably a win. Sanfrecce will probably be hoping for a draw or, perhaps a Reds win.

On Sendai’s side, a win will give them 54 points, which is what Sanfrecce sit on now – it’s tight at the top and points will be at a premium in the coming month. Reds have lost two of their last three, while Vegalta have lost two of their last four … both teams need some consistency to finish the season to overtake Sanfrecce. Something’s gotta give in this match, and I think that will be Vegalta.

Reds need a goalscorer, instead of relying on last-gasp goals from Popo, but they’ll do enough in this match – EXPECT a WIN for URAWA REDS!

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14:00 Yokohama F.Marinos vs. Jubilo Iwata at Nissan.S – Bore Draw in Order Today?

One of the best defences in J1 at home, entertaining one of the best attacks in the league? Or alternatively, Marinos don’t score too many, while Jubilo have conceded quite a few. Anything could happen! Since their extended unbeaten run came to and end Marinos have gone downhill, boring even their own fans. They’ve won one in their last five and are in No-Man’s land on 40 points.

Having said that, Jubilo are only two points ahead, but four spaces up and were stung by S-Pulse in the Shizuoka Derby last time out. They will be missing international forward Maeda to injury and may struggle to break down this stubborn Marinos defence. Nothing less than a win for either team would be enough to keep them in touch with that 3rd spot and an ACL place in 2013. But I feel this will be a DRAW! Not enough for either team!

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15:00 Omiya Ardija vs. Albirex Niigata at NACK5.S – A Point Each for Relegation Battlers?

This match really is the proverbial relegation dogfight six-pointer. While Albirex have scored only 22 goals (five of them in that one wild game against Grampus), Ardija have just 28, we shouldn’t expect a goalfest! Added to that Albirex have conceded only one more goal than leaders Sanfrecce, BUT have lost their ‘keeper Higashiguchi for the season, and much longer.

Omiya Ardija have been close to relegation over and over, that experience MAY come in useful. They have won two and drawn three of their last five games – an unbeaten run that has seen them move out of the bottom three, just. Albirex have also turned it around with three draws and a win in their last four… it looks very much to me like a DRAW today!

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15:00 Kawasaki Frontale vs. Gamba Osaka at Todoroki – Gamba to Earn Vital Win!
Gamba Osaka will feel hard done by after their loss at Sendai last league match and find themselves three points adrift of safety with the two teams above them playing each other. Gamba are the highest scorers in J1 but also have the second-worst defence in the division, but Kawasaki Frontale are not the best team to take advantage of that.

While Frontale managed to win two out of their last three to hit 39 points and be very close to safety. They lost on a single goal to Reysol last time out and, while their injury woes have cleared up, their teamwork has not really gelled all season … coach Kazama may be looking for a new job next season even if he racks up a few wins before the end of the season.

The desperation of Gamba Osaka will trump the average season that Frontale are having and, presuming that talisman Leandro is fit and raring to go, expect a VITAL WIN for GAMBA OSAKA!

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15:00 Shimizu S-Pulse vs. Vissel Kobe at OUTSOURCING.S – S-Pulse Hangover? Or Extended Run of Success?

Shimizu S-Pulse beat off FC Tokyo for a place in the Nabisco Cup Final last weekend and will either be on a high ready to add to their three wins in-a-row, including that semi-final OR they’ll be hungover from the celebrations and succumb to a Vissel Kobe that REALLY needs the points! Will they build on that today?

Vissel Kobe have been hit by centre back problems, with Kitamoto suspended and Inoha returning from national team duty to report he is three weeks out of the game. They also have Tashiro in and out of the treatment room up front, and Okubo confirmed as missing at least two weeks. It’s time for a big game from Tokura, and Vissel have to pray that the error-prone Takagi is on form if he is selected as a cover centre back today.

Both teams have been rebuilding and, with some luck it could have been Vissel in that top six spot but, instead, they find themselves fighting relegation and need the win. Do they need it more than S-Pulse? EXPECT a DRAW! Shared spoils.

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15:00 Sagan Tosu vs. Nagoya Grampus at Saga – Sagan Home Form to Return!

Just a single point separates these teams in 7th and 8th places and Sagan’s home fortress has been breached recently, although they have still conceded only 30 goals in their maiden J1 season so far and have out-paced all the critics’ expectations, but are fading now as the season draws to a close. Cerezo Osaka took them out last game and they will want to show their home fans that they have not given up on their season yet.

Even though they have only scored four goals in the last five games, two of those were wins… they have lost two of their last three, though, including that confidence-killing 5-0 defeat from Albirex Niigata. Three or four wins in their final month could give them an air of respectability, while three or four losses would see them in the bottom half… what do they have left in them? They will miss Josh Kennedy if he continues to suffer from those back injuries but Tamada, Nagai et al should take on the goalscoring and creating among themselves.

EXPECT a WIN for SAGAN TOSU!

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16:00 Consadole Sapporo vs. Kashima Antlers at Atsubetsu – Surely Sapporo Can’t Win Two In-a-Row!

Last time out in J1 everyone had Consadole Sapporo down for a thrashing at the hands of Urawa Reds, but the surprise of the day, week, month (season?) saw Reds capitulate to the already-relegated team – at home! Once the “relief” of knowing their destiny sweeps over a doomed team, perhaps a change takes place! Could they win another? They’d have to go against history, having never even gained a point against today(s opponents in the past, but nothing is impossible, is it!?

Kashima Antlers made short work of Reysol last week in their Nabisco Cup semi-final and thrashed FC Tokyo 5-1 in their last league match, their up and down season will be on an up this time out and they’ll be hoping to continue their run with a win against Consadole. Osako got back among the goals recently and, with Maeda injured and Havenaar not having the best games in the national team jersey, perhaps Osaka will feel the chance to attract the eye of national team coach Alberto Zaccheroni over the next month or so – it’s now or never, Osako! EXPECT a WIN for KASHIMA ANTLERS!

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18:00 Cerezo Osaka vs. FC Tokyo at KINCHO.S – Cerezo to Continue Rise!

Cerezo Osaka are on the up – four wins in their last five games have taken them to the brink of safety. Re-hired coach Levir Culpi has almost completed his job and will be on his way in early December, leaving a space for a new coach – who that is, and whether Cerezo can hold on to their players for 2013 will decide the future of the team. They will give their all to get the win that will almost guarantee safety.

FC Tokyo have lost two of their last three and sit two points above Cerezo on the 40 points that probably does see them safe, but losing to Cerezo will dent the confidence indeed. Morishige is an influential player to lose on an away trip to a team in form and coach Popovic has not yet shown enough faith in Vucicevic to give him the start, but he looks more the apart than Edmilson – a stopgap at best? I EXPECT a WIN for CEREZO OSAKA!

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19:00 Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs. Kashiwa Reysol at Hiroshima.B – Sanfrecce to Consolidate Top Spot.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima are unbeaten in their last five and showing the form that should keep their head above water if it continues … with the two teams closest to them playing each other it is their chance to pull away from at least one of them, perhaps both – if there is a draw there! They are reporting no new injuries and have no suspensions and will be confident and ready to consolidate their place at the top. Losing this game will be a tragedy and they will NOT let that happen. Sato will be buoyed by his recognition of national team selection – although he didn’t play on the European tour – and will be on a high that his team will join.

Kashiwa Reysol have lost three of their last four – including a Nabisco Cup semi-final against Kashima Antlers and are missing Leandro Domingues and the reliable Sugai, they realistically have nothing left to play for? Six points out of 3rd place and playing the top team today, they can expect little chance of bouncing back from their cup defeat here today. With Sanfrecce knowing how much this game means I can’t see anything other than a WIN for SANFRECCE HIROSHIMA!

Follow Alan on Twitter @JSoccerMagazine

In the Mix, National Team, Previews

France v Japan – 4 am kick off, Japan time – don't miss it!

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Didier Deschamps’ France side host Japan tonight at the Stade de France in Paris, with a view to putting in a confidence-boosting performance for next Tuesday’s critical World Cup qualifier in Madrid against Spain. But on these pages, it’s Japan we’re concerned with! Japan are actually ranked only ten places below France in the FIFA rankings and will not be overawed by their opponents. Japan will then move on to Poland, where they take on Brazil in another testing friendly a few days later.

News from the Japan camp tells us that Maeda has withdrawn through injury, and has been replaced by J1 top scorer Hisashi Sato of Sanfrecce Hiroshima, while Vissel Kobe’s Inoha also pulled out but has not been replaced. There are also rumours that Honda is not fully fit and this could mean Kagawa getting his favoured central attacking midfield role.

Presuming that Yasuhito Endo is selected, he will be making his 122nd appearance – equaling the record long-held by former NT centre back, current Kashiwa Reysol coach Masami Ihara who has sent his congratulations to Endo. Endo will make the record his own, barring any injury mishaps, against Brazil next week.

The game kicks off at 9 pm France time… 4 am Saturday morning in Japan. A tiring start to the weekend for Japanese football fans!

In the Mix, Previews

J2 Games Sunday October 14th – miss J1? Take in a J2 Match!

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13:00 Kusatsu vs Mito at Shoda
13:00 Yokohama FC vs Kitakyushu at Mitsuzawa
13:00 Okayama vs Tokyo-V at Kanko
15:00 Kofu vs Shonan at Yamanashibank
16:00 Chiba vs Oita at Fukuda
16:00 Matsumoto vs Tokushima at Matsumoto
16:00 Kyoto vs Toyama at Nishikyogoku
18:00 Kumamoto vs FC Machida at Kumamoto
19:00 FC Gifu vs Yamagata at Nagaragawa Meadow
19:00 Ehime FC vs Tottori at Ningineer
19:00 Fukuoka vs Tochigi at Level 5

In the Mix, Previews

J.League Yamazaki Nabisco Cup: Semi Final, 2nd Leg – Reysol v. Antlers, Sat. Oct.13th, 19.00

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J.League Yamazaki Nabisco Cup: Semi Final, 2nd Leg

Kashiwa Reysol (2) v. (3) Kashima Antlers – Hitachi Dai Stadium, 19.00

Kashima lead 3-2 from the 1st leg, but those two away goals for Kashima might well come into play here – a 1-0 win would be enough for a place in the final, but I expect a few more goals in this match.

Antlers will be without the suspended Ogasawara, while Reysol will be missing Kurisawa. Kick off is 19.00, after the S-Pulse v FC Tokyo 14.00 opener.

In the Mix, Previews

J.League Yamazaki Nabisco Cup Semi Final, 2nd Leg – S-Pulse v FC Tokyo, Sat. Oct. 13th, 14.00

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J.League Yamazaki Nabisco Cup Semi Final, 2nd Leg

Shimizu S-Pulse (1) v. (2) FC Tokyo – Nihondaira Stadium, 7pm

S-Pulse go into this game minus Lee Kije and Yosuke Kawai – the latter suspended after giving away the PK that was “earned” by a spectacular dive in the 1st leg – S-Pulse fans, players and team officials alike will be hoping for divine retribution, or maybe just a single goal, taking them through on away goals, perhaps!

picture – Yosuke Kawai

They drew the quarter final 4-4 over two legs, with their two very late goals in Nagoya giving them the away goals win… same again here?

With FC Tokyo coming off a 5-1 thrashing from Kashima Antlers and S-Pulse having won the Shizuoka Derby, away, and moving up to 4th place, the momentum is with S-Pulse. Enjoy the game.

In the Mix, Previews

The 92nd Emperor's Cup Round 3 – matches to be played October 10th

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All Matches Kick Off at 19.00 Wednesday, October 10th

Kashiwa Reysol vs Shonan Bellmare at Kashiwa
Kashiwa expected to win with ease, while Shonan will probably rest players with a view to making sure they have as many fit players as possible to concentrate on the run-in to the J2 play-offs.

AC Nagano Parceiro vs Yokogawa Musashino FC at Atsubetsu, Sapporo
Nagano beat Consadole, hence this unsuitable venue for this match – wonder how many fans will make the journey? It does mean that a JFL team is guaranteed to make the last 16 – I’ll go for Nagano myself. although they MAY rest players with a view to concentrating on the JFL title?

Jubilo Iwata vs Kyoto Sanga FC at Yamaha, Iwata
Jubilo are without Maeda, who has pulled out of the national team squad with injury, and Komano, as well as plenty of other injuries. IF Kyoto play a full strength team, they will push Jubilo for a result, but Kyoto are another J2 team with promotion hopes to consider – which team will be selected here?

Sagawa Shiga FC vs JEF Utd Ichihara Chiba at Kobe Wing Stadium
Sagawa are a strong team who are happy to be big fish in the small JFL pond, and are not looking for promotion to the J.League. Expect a full strength team against a possibly weakened JEF team, as they will have one eye on making the J2 play-offs. Can we expect Sagawa to march on?

Vegalta Sendai vs Roasso Kumamoto at Yurtec, Sendai
Vegalta Sendai are faltering at the top of J1 but I still expect them to field a strong team and send Roasso packing, which they’d do anyway, even with a weakened team!

Omiya Ardija vs Avispa Fukuoka at Kumagaya Athletic
Omiya are yet another team with a place in J1 at stake and realistically probably think they have no chance of winning this competition, so expect a weakened team to be put out, while Fukuoka have nothign to lose in going all out. Could be a “surprise” on here tonight?

Yokohama F.Marinos vs Yokohama FC at Yokohama Int’l
Marinos struggle to score goals, and are even missing penalties, but their defence usually holds out reasonably well (see the 0-0 draw with top team Sanfrecce last week). With this being a local derby expect the J1 team to feel the pressure, while the J2 team have nothing to lose. BUT, Yokohama FC have sneaked into the play-off spots in J2 and may well have that on their minds and team selection may suffer because of that. Either way, it’s going to be close.

Cerezo Osaka vs Montedio Yamagata at Kincho, Osaka
Cerezo Osaka’s coach Levir Culpi has been given the job of keeping his team in J1. Full stop. He has an agreement that the Emperor’s Cup would not even be his concern … wonder if he’ll be on the bench tonight or be leaving it to someone else? His job is almost done and it’s feasible that Cerezo will put out a strong team, while Yamagata may well rest a few players in the hope of consolidating that J2 play-off place. Either way, Cerezo’s 2nd team will be better than Montedio’s 1st team.

Fagiano Okayama vs Nagoya Grampus at Toyama Athletic
Fagiano have everything to play for and nothing to lose, Grampus have probably already given up on the top spot but may think they have aq chance of an ACL qualification in the top 3? Having said that, the Grampus back-ups don’t seem to be ready for the task… Nagoya may well feel that this competition is their way to the ACL?!

Kamatamare Sanuki vs Urawa Reds at Saga
Reds were humiliated by Consadole in their last game so will be hurting and will not allow it to become two losses-in-a-row to lesser teams. Reds to win with ease, whatever team turns up.

FC Imabari vs Machida Zelvia at Hiroshima Football 1
Imabari are probably the favourites here, having shocked the team at the top of J1! Meanwhile Machida will be concentrating on pulling off the bottom of J2 and may well not take this too seriously, but do they have a 2nd XI to dip into? Expect Imabari to make Round 4.

Shimizu S-Pulse vs Tokyo Verdy at Nihondaira
Does Jymmy Franca get the chance to try and out one over his old pals? Verdy may well rest a few of their first choice players and Franca is a bench player right now, so … maybe! S-Pulse have a depth of talent and WILL be going to win both cups (their Nabisco Cup semi final is Saturday)… expect them to walk all over Verdy.

Gamba Osaka vs Mito Hollyhock at Banpaku, Osaka
Gamba will want revenge after being knocked out of this competition by Mito last year. All this talk (above) of players being rested probably doesn’t apply TOO much to J1 teams as there is no J1 game this weekend so, perhaps we’ll see an almost full strength Gamba team tonight. Expect HollyHock to be vanquished.

Albirex Niigata vs Fukushima United FC at Tohoku Den, Niigata
Fukushima just clinched victory in their regional league and have nothing else to lose but their pride. Niigata did beat Fukushima 5-0 in a (albeit meaningless) training match earlier in the season. Niigata are in deep trouble in J1 so expect a few rested players / tested players (to see if any reserves are better than the ones already playing!!).

Kashima Antlers vs Gainare Tottori at Kashima
Antlers are safe for another season in J1, barring any ridiculous mathematical occurrences, while Gainare’s position is precarious at the bottom of J2 – they may well get sucked into a play-off, or worse. Consequently, expect a full strength Antlers to pummel a Tottori side with an eye elsewhere!

Kawasaki Frontale vs Tokushima Vortis at Todoroki
Frontale have been pretty dire at times, but, after a great season last year – under coach Minobe – Vortis have been doing a Frontale in J2 this season! Expect an average game, from average teams, with one sneaking through. If there’s a Korean drama on TV, or a DVD you’ve been meaning to watch, take that option!

In the Mix, Previews

J1 Preview – Urawa Reds vs Consadole Sapporo at Saitama Stadium – Oct.6, Matchday 28

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Team News
Urawa Reds – only the long-term injury of Naoki Yamada is affecting Reds this week.
Consadole Sapporo – FW Maeda is facing a fitness test, FW Tele is doubtful.

Head to Head – In J1 2008 home and away Reds won both games, and this season Reds won the away match – that’s all there is between these two teams!

Match Preview – Consadole Sapporo were mathematically relegated last weekend, with 7 games to go. 70 goals conceded, just 20 scored, and showing a goal difference of minus 50, this must be the game that Urawa Reds make the 2nd spot their own. With me expecting Vegalta Sendai to falter again against Gamba, Reds can rack up some goals today and pull back some of the 12 goals that separate their goal difference from Vegalta’s, ready to take 2nd and start putting pressure on Sanfrecce for the top spot. Despite scoring only 37 goals all season, and having that 5-0 home loss to Gamba to think about, Reds are still in position to make a grab for the title. Imagine if they’d had a decent all-out centre forward who could score goals this season (Leandro and Reds? What a combination that might have been!). There is no reason to look at the chances of Consadole in this game, unless we think that, now that they’ve been relegated the pressure is off?!! Didn’t think so? If Haraguchi can keep his mind on the game after being subbed very early last week, and the midfield boys provide the chances (and convert them) EXPECT a high-scoring WIN for URAWA REDS!

In the Mix, Previews

J1 Preview – Vegalta Sendai vs Gamba Osaka at Yurtec Stadium – Oct.6, Matchday 28

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Team News
Vegalta Sendai – DF Kamata is suspended. MF Sekiguchi is very doubtful.
Gamba Osaka – Long term injuries GK Kimura, DFs Nakazawa, Eduardo and FW Kawanishi are all, no new injuries reported.

Head to Head – with Vegalta only returning to J1 in 2010 there have only been 5 meetings since then, 2 wins for Gamba, 1 for Vegalta and 2 draws. In the 2003 season each team won the away leg of their games!

Match Preview – Vegalta Sendai were beaten at S-Pulse last weekend and GK Hayashi had a nightmare, the confidence will be shot, the pressure is on to claw back the five point deficit at the top and who is visiting? Gamba Osaka, who hit five goals past Reds and Grampus away in recent games. Sendai do have the experience of falling from grace in the final weeks of the season (see 2011) so will that see them know what to avoid? A slow start, followed by a decent period after settling in, saw Wilson hit the net regularly, but he has stalled again now that other teams know what to expect and his failure to score puts it all on the shoulders of Akamine. If the porous Gamba defence can keep Akamine under wraps, the game is as good as theirs.
Gamba Osaka have not lost a game that Leandro has started in – since he arrived he has scored 11 goals in nine games – missing the 4-1 defeat to Sagan Tosu. If Leandro is fit and firing on all cylinders expect J1’s top-scoring team (54 goals, from 16th spot?!) to add a few more, but, as always we can’t expect a clean sheet for Gamba can we!? It looks tough on paper for Gamba, but they have performed better away from home against the top teams! EXPECT a high-scoring game and a WIN for GAMBA OSAKA!