Reports
NABISCO CUP results
Cerezo Osaka 0-3 Kashima Antlers (aggregate 1-5), Nagoya Grampus 3-4 Shimizu S-Pulse (4-4 – S-Pulse through on away goals), FC Tokyo 2-0 Vegalta Sendai (4-2), Kashiwa Reysol 2-1 Gamba Osaka (5-2)
C大阪 0－3 鹿島 (1-5) : 名古屋 3－4 清水 (4-4) : FC東京 2－0 仙台 (4-2) : 柏 2－1 G大阪 (5-2)
Semi-Finals: Shimizu S-Pulse v FC Tokyo,/ Kashiwa Reysol v Kashima Antlers, to be played 1st leg: Wed. Sept. 5th, 2nd leg: Sat. Oct. 13th.
London 2012 Olympics Semi final (Wembley Stadium, London）82,372
Japan 1-3 Mexico
OTSU (12) / FABIAN (31), PERALTA (65), CORTES (90+3)
Yellow cards – H. SAKAI Hiroki (Japan), FABIAN (Mexico)
Japan: GK – Gonda DF – H. Sakai, Yoshida, Suzuki, Tokunaga DMF – Ogihara (Saito, 83), Yamaguchi OMF – Kiyotake (Usami, 77), Higashi (Sugimoto, 71), Otsu FW – Nagai
After the Nadeshiko Ladies had made it to their final, the whole of Japan was awaiting a double final appearance as the men took on Mexico in the Olympic semi-final at Wembley – but it was not to be. In short, Takashi Sekizuka’s charges capitulated to a hard-working – but not THAT good – Mexico team. Yes, Mexico were not that good, but Japan were not good AT ALL. The cool, composed passing and patience of previous games deserted the young Samurai Blue when it mattered and, while many of us would probably have taken a semi-final place pre-tournament – losing out on a final place with a display like this, with the whole world watching, just, well, as my American friend would say, SUCKS! Mexico were beaten, in Mexico, in 1968 when Japan came back with the bronze medal and so, 44 years later, Mexico exacted their revenge.
It began well, with Yuki Otsu scoring a spectacular half-volley from 25 yards out, that would have the Europeans drooling if he’d scored it in the Premier League. To call it Henri-esque, or Bergkamp-esque would not exaggerate its brilliance! But Otsu’s 3rd goal of the tournament was as good as it got for Japan. Mexico were back in the game before half time with a flicked on corner finding its way to Fabian for the equaliser.
Into the 2nd half and both teams had chances but Mexico began to pile on the possession and made it pay in the 65th minute in an inexcusable few seconds of madness from Gonda and Ogihara. The Japan keeper made an easy save, jumped up, looked for somewhere to distribute the ball and chose Ogihara 30 yards out, in the middle of the field surrounded by Mexicans! The Cerezo midfielder – who should not be remembered just for this mistake, he’s had a decent tournament otherwise – Ogihara tried what has been called the “Cruyff Turn”, and failed. Lost the ball to Oribe Peralta, who took another touch and placed the ball into the corner from way out, and Japan were, unnecessarily, down a goal.
Japan still hoped to get back into the game but the likes of Tokunaga, Sakai and the aforementioned Ogihara were having an off day and a team can not carry an ailing player at this level, let alone three or four. Sekizuka made changes, bringing on Sugimoto, Usami and Saito over the last 20 minutes or so, but to no avail and, to run salt in the wound, Mexico added another on a breakaway in lost time as Japan poured upfield, Javier Cortes slotting the ball past Gonda to make the final score a little harder to take for the Japanese fans.
Japan will now go for that Bronze medal against local rivals Korea on Friday night (UK time, Saturday morning Japan time) at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.
Nadeshiko Japan took on Brazil at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff with a semi-final place against France at stake and were almost ahead inside the first minute after good work from Ohno ended with a superb volley that forced a reaction save from the keeper.
After that bright start, Japan were under the cosh as Brazil ruled the game for 15 minutes or so, winning a string of corners, but being held at bay by the Nadeshiko defence. Then Japan got into the game and started to dictate the passage of play a little more while Brazil resorted to some thuggery and cynicism, which the referee was equal to. An elbow to the back of the head for Sameshima, then a late tackle on the same player were both punished, while a whack in the face to Sawa, saw a quick free kick taken by Japan’s elder stateswoman which fed Ohgimi, who advanced a slotted past the goalkeeper with aplomb. A well-deserved 1-0 lead for Nadeshiko.
Heading up to the goal in the 27th minutel, Japan had shown glimpses of what was to come with one attack seeing Kawasumi, Ohgimi and Sawa all having efforts blocked, before Ohno blazed over, and moments later a fine passage of play saw Miyama curl a left-footer inches wide of the far post after leaving her defender for dead with a fine turn.
The game approached half time with Brazil attacking fast, but being repelled, while Japan were playing the ball up the field patiently and looking for chances. Brazil had been guilty of more fouls – notably from Cristiane – but the referee was not missing much and Brazil were not being allowed to force their way back into the game illegally. Half time, 1-0!
The 2nd half began with Japan dictating the play and Brazil becoming physical again, but the referee soon pulled out the yellow card for the captain, Marta. Up front Thais was also getting noticeably upset that she wasn’t getting away with her fouls, due to smart play from the officials and an ever-smiling Assistant Referee who missed nothing. Meanwhile, Sakaguchi, in the Japan defence, also picked up a yellow card in the 57th minute, trying to correct an uncharacteristic mistake, after giving the ball away, and a free kick in a dangerous area went just wide of the post.
As the hour mark passed Brazil started to gain in possession and confidence and a left wing cross was headed just over by Cristiane, although the keeper had it covered, but just when they seemed under pressure again Japan broke and Ohgimi was denied, albeit by three defenders after the keeper was lucky to not give away a PK – the men’s game would surely have seen the attacker fall! Indeed, in the run-up to the play, Kawasumi was tugged back, also, but the Japanese forward had no complaints, and stayed on her feet to create the chance.
In the 70th minute Kawasumi broke free as Brazil poured forward and was taken out on the half way line by a brutal challenge from Bruna, which brought a deserved yellow and could well have been a red if it had, perhaps been closer to goal, or if the referee had stuck to the letter of the law – Bruna definitely denied a goalscoring opportunity however high up the field it was. Moments later Thais was at it again, pushing Iwashimizu into the keeper dangerously as Brazil got frustrated by an organised Japan, but justice soon followed as a quick deep cross from the left wing by Kawasumi freed Ohno, who twisted her defender before rifling a left foot shot in off the bar! 2-0, and less than 20 minutes to go.
But now, as Brazil went down further, the physical play increased but the referee let a couple of dangerous challenges go when it was really the time to send a message, but Japan did not let it affect their play and started to find more space as Brazil looked for a goal.
Coach Suzuki chose to replace Ohno with Ando with five minutes to play – fresh legs in the midfield battle, and soon after that, Takase took Ohgimi’s place as Japan took control of the final minutes as Brazil’s time at London 2012 ticked away. The additional time of two minutes saw the Japanese ladies run themselves into the ground, ensuring that Brazil had little time on the ball and were able to create nothing. It was a job well done, Brazil 0-2 Japan – and a well-deserved semi-final place for Nadeshiko Japan against France!!
Consadole Sapporo 2-1 Nagoya Grampus
Urawa Reds 2-0 Jubilo Iwata
Vegalta Sendai 1-1 Sagan Tosu
Kashima Antlers 2-2 Sanfrecce Hiroshima
FC Tokyo 0-2 Albirex Niigata
Kashiwa Reysol 4-1 Cerezo Osaka
Kawasaki Frontale 4-1 Omiya Ardija
Yokohama F.Marinos 3-0 Shimizu S-Pulse
Vissel Kobe 1-1 Gamba Osaka
Consadole surprised Grampus with their second win of the season – Grampus were so desperate for forwards that Tulio played upfront – and scored! But his goal was not enough as Sapporo scored the winner through Shinya Uehara in added time!
Also near bottom, Albirex pulled out a win away at FC Tokyo. The capital team are hit with injuries and the absence of key Olympians, so were well-weaked – something that may come back to haunt the J.League at the end of the season when Omiya Ardija, for example, go down by a point and complain about FC Tokyo’s performance in this match!? Niigata got the points on goals from Mikado and Alan Mineiro.
Table-toppers Sanfrecce were held to a draw at Kashima Antlers – the home team’s goals coming from disappointed-not-to-be-in-London Osako. Maoriwaki and J1 top scorer Sato netted for the away team.
In 2nd place, Vegalta also got held – at home by Sagan Tosu, allowing 3rd placed Urawa Reds to close the gap as they took out Jubilo Iwata (who were 4th before the day started). That’s four out of the last five games drawn for Vegalta Sendai, as the rot sets in?! Reds moved to within three points of the top through goals by Kashiwagi and Abe, and even missed a PK in the process.
Yokohama F.Marinos suddenly found three goals against a similarly low scoring Shimizu S-Pulse, Marinos winning a game that had 0-0 written all over it on goals from Ono, Oguro and Hyodo. Kawasaki Frontale also won their game by three goals – beating Omiya Ardija 4-1 after Ardija had taken the lead through Hasegawa. Nakamura, Kobayashi, Kusukami and Renato were on target for Frontale.
In a Kansai Derby, Gamba Osaka and Vissel Kobe fought out a pulsating game with end to end chances. Gamba finally took the lead through a deflected shot credited to Futagawa and looked on course to earn three very valuable points before OKubo came on as a sub and promptly scored a spectacular acrobatic volley to level the scores.
Gamba’s neighbours Cerezo went down 4-1 to Kashiwa Reysol – in an impressive vein of form – Ryuji Bando scored for Cerezo, in a rare start for him, while Reysol won it on a Kudo hat trick and a single from Sawa. Cerezo dropped down into the relegation places and looked poor without the Japanese Olympic trio of Kiyotake, Ogihara and Yamaguchi – Kiyotake, of course will not be returning to Osaka. The team were also missing Kim, who has also moved on beginning a new life at Cardiff City after LOndon 2012 – as revealed exclusively on this very site on June 7th, way before anyone else!!
Here’s Kiyo at Nuremberg ….
What should have been a 5-0 victory ended up as just a single goal, but Japan did it with ease against Spain…. despite a referee who let some disgraceful challenges from Spain go unpunished – while giving a red card, deservedly so, it must be said, for a professional foul in the first half. Into the last five minutes and Spain were kicking players off the ball to stop them running though, and Kiyotake was stamped on yards from the referee in the final minute – anything less than three points after that would have been greatly disappointing, but Japan REALLY should have scored more!
Japan 2-1 Canada
Japan – Kawasumi (33′), Miyama (44′) / Canada – Tancredi (55′).
Japan played at their own pace for most of the game and should have wrapped it up long before Ogimi had a shot cleared off the line at 2-0, and then Tancredi popped one in at the other end to make it interesting. In the end, Japan controlled the game, took their time when needed, made the interceptions when called for and looked composed and ready to move on in their quest to add an Olympic medal to their World Cup win …
Kawasumi’s goal was a brilliant piece of interplay betweem the INAC Kobe trio of Sawa – initial pass – Ohno – holding the ball before Kawasumi ran into space – and the scorer herself, who picked up Ohno’s back heel, advanced to the near post and blasted high into the net from the angle. (Picture shows those three at “home” in Kobe, below).
Miyama’s goal was a case of size doesn’t matter as she got her head to the ball to make it 2-0, despite the attnetions of the much taller keeper AND two defenders. Bring on South Africa and Sweden!
Japan : GK – Fukumoto DF – Sameshima, Iwashimizu, Kumagai, Kinga MF – Sakaguchi, Sawa, Kawasumi, Miyama (capt.) FW – Ogimi, Ohno (Ando 64′)
Canada : GK – McLeod DF – Moscato, Chapman, Sesselman (Stewart 69′), Wilkinson (Gayle 70′) MF – Kyle (Parker 75′), Matheson, Scott, Schmidt FW – Sinclair (capt.), Tancredi
From Afshin Ghotbi’s own web site – http://www.afshinghotbi.com, reproduced with permision.
Attendance: 14,092
Heartbreak! 
Simply, tonight was a huge heartbreak for the S-Pulse family. A game filled with more drama, twists, turns, ups, downs, cheers and tears than the biggest roller coaster ride in the world. We started with a balanced group, mixing experience with youth, as we had a wonderful preparation building up towards the game. The dressing room had the perfect ambiance with the right mixture of tension, confidence, concentration and unity. The first whistle signaled a chain of events that will be talked about for a long time to come. Three penalty kicks, three red cards, eight goals, and three lead changes were all packed into one of the most exciting games of the season so far. My feelings are mixed with pride, sorrow, hope, and disappointment.
I want to salute our players’ fighting spirit and mental toughness playing a man down for over half of the game. Playing ten against eleven and later nine against ten eventually costs us the long waited victory. Our players deserve better and will rebound from this stronger and better. I also want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our fans for their devotion, love and support. The true S-Pulse fans are standing strong beside us through these difficult days. We have disappointed you with our recent results, but we will make you happy again.
Until then, so long.
…. and here is a picture of Genki Omae scoring the 1000th J.League goal of S-Pulse’s history.
Consadole Sapporo 0-1 Albirex Niigata 7,673
Shimizu S-Pulse 0-0 Kawasaki Frontale 14,133
Urawa Reds 4-3 Sagan Tosu 30,047
Kashima Antlers 1-0 Omiya Ardija 12,787
F.C.Tokyo 3-2 Gamba Osaka 24,633
Yokohama F.Marinos 1-1 Cerezo Osaka 9,751
Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2-0 Jubilo Iwata 12,769
Vissel Kobe 0-1 Vegalta Sendai 15,062
Kashiwa Reysol 1-2 Nagoya Grampus 25,459
Starting at the top, Vegalta Sendai were very lucky to come away from Kobe with all three points, the home team having the lion’s share of possession and easily doubling the number of goal attempts over their visitors but it was Vegalta – in the shape of Akamine – who scored the decisive goal that separated the teams. Vissel coach Akira Nishino was satisfied with the performance, if not the result, as he begins to mold Vissel into shape, but they will have to take their chances if they are to challenge for the top spots. 19 goal attempts, 7 corners and plenty of the ball, but no points to show, Vissel will win more games in the coming weeks. Vegalta – well, playing under so much pressure and still coming out with an away win – the sign of a winning team! but how much longer can they hold on at the top?
At the bottom Consadole Sapporo went down, again, this time to their nearest challengers for relegation, Albirex Niigata. A single Atomu Tanaka goal gave the visitors maximum points and took them above Gamba Osaka, who lost narrowly to FC Tokyo in a thriller at Ajinomoto Stadium. In a familiar story, Gamba took control of the game, especially in a 2nd half onslaught, but failed to put away their chances and slipped below Albirex in the table at the half-way stage.
Shimizu S-Pulse failed, again, to score a goal – they are still looking for their 1000th J.League goal – being held, at home, by Kawasaki Frontale. There WERE goals, however, in Saitama as Urawa Reds stormed ahead – in more ways than one, the rain was torrential – against Sagan Tosu. Reds were up 1-0 at the break and then added three goals in a hectic five minute spell after the restart to look as if they were coasting to victory. It was then the away team’s turn, and they duly scored three goals in five minutes to bring the game back to 4-3 with a good 20 minutes left. But the gallant Sagan didn’t manage to get another goal and Reds hung on for three valuable points.
Kashima Antlers left it late, while registering 23 goal attempts, Daigo Nishi scoring the winner with a quarter of an hour left against Omiya Ardija, Antlers pulling away from the bottom, if only a little.
Yokohama F.Marinos managed a goal against Cerezo Osaka – Tomisawa finding the roof of the net from close range early on, before Kakitani again earned a point for Cerezo with a late equaliser. How much longer will he (and, while we are on the subject, Ogihara!) last at the team before he follows Kagawa, Inui, Ienaga and Kiyotake out of the revolving pink doors of Cerezo Osaka?
In the six-pointer between the 2nd and 3rd place teams, Sanfrecce dispatched the over-achievers of Jubilo and sent them slipping down the table. Sanfrecce stayed in touch at the top with goals from Koji Nakajima (76 minutes) and Koji Morisaki in added time.
Finally, for Saturday’s games – the halfway point of the season – Kashiwa Reysol’s impressive surge up the table came to an abrupt halt as Nagoya Grampus stole in and took the points. A cheeky back flick from Kennedy after a scintillating run at the defence from Nagai, and a cruel own goal from an inswinging corner gave Grampus the win.
Vegalta say top, with Sanfrecce on their heels and then it is just two wins separating the teams from Reds in 3rd to Vissel in 12th. AT the bottom, Consadole are still anchoring the division, while Gamba slip deeper into trouble as Albirex pull away.
Text and picture from: www.afshinghotbi.com
July 7, 2012
Attendance: 14,133
Happy Birthday to S-Pulse!
Shimizu S-Pulse reached a milestone of becoming twenty years old, and the encounter against Kawasaki Frontale was the celebration of the this special occasion. The temperature of over 26 degrees plus 78% humidity created uncomfortable conditions for the players. It felt even hotter, as our players felt the pressure of delivering a victory as the birthday gift to our fans, registering the 1000th goal, and earning three points to get closer to the top of table. This fixture also had another significance as it marked the half-way point of the season.
The game started with the teams exchanging free-kicks off each other’s crossbar, but we dominated most of the exchanges throughout the night. The best chance of the first half fell for Kawai, as Alex rolled a ball in front of the goal for him. Former S-Pulse goalkeeper, Nishibe, made one of his two big saves on the night to deny us the victory. We increased the pressure and speed of the game in the final 30 minutes, and created enough openings to score several goals. Takahara, Omae and Takagi all had opportunities to win the game, but the clear chances were wasted. Another clean sheet, the best defending team in the J.League, but we failed to score for the 2nd consecutive game in the J.League. A disappointing result for all.
We share the frustration of all of our supporters, as we have dominated and controlled all of our recent games. We continue to struggle in front of goal, and we have given away important points in the J.League table, dropping to 9th position. A goal drought is common in football, and almost every team will go through a period in a season struggling with finishing. With the youngest team in the league, please be patient with us and support us through this period. I believe, with your help, we can fulfill our dream to lift the J.League trophy together. Through unity, hard work, and perseverance we can reach our target.
Thank you again for your support and encouragement, and I will do my utmost to achieve our goal. At the end, I take full responsibility. See you next Saturday at Nihondaira. Until then, so long.