Category Archives: In the Mix

Here will be JFL (non-league) and CUP tournaments

Archives, In the Mix

Ishige to Manchester City hitting the "web" today …

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With the Ishige interesting Manchester City rumours on Twitter today, as well as being given some credence by Sponichi in the Japanese press, I HOPE that someone keeps an eye on it and uses it as an example if, and when, Manchester City, or Mancini or anyone connected with the club make a comment along the lines of, “Yes, we’d like him at the club”, because, in my opinion, ANY commenting on the future of a player that is at another club is unsettling at least, and probably highly illegal, if the rules of approaching players was actually adhered to!

Mr. Ghotbi, as head coach at the club, please do all in your power to convince the Shimizu S-Pulse bigwigs to hold on to Ishige with all their might. Tell Ishige that you’ll make sure he gets his chance in a couple of years, when he is ready to make that step – when he’s played 80 plus games for the club and made an appearance on the full national team. Until then, unless the offer is HUGE, the player REALLY wants to go now, refuse it.

If the offer allows S-Pulse to build a better training ground, develop a better youth policy, or put a deposit down on that new ground under discussion in the centre of town, do NOT let him go. (Note, a new ground would, potentially double the average crowd of a rising team and bring a community together, a small price to pay for a better future, but that’s a digression) …

In a nutshell – take the BIG bucks, but use that cash well, or hold on to him, with a personal promise that he WILL get his chance.

IF the powers-that-be go over your head, Mr. Ghotbi, find a club that will give you a free reign in your plan to build a club of the future.

In the Mix, Reports

J1 Matchday 28 rundown … what's to come?

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J1 Catch-Up!

Matchday 28 – October 6th Results

Vegalta Sendai 2-1 Gamba Osaka
Urawa Reds 1-2 Consadole Sapporo
Yokohama F.Marinos 0-0 Hiroshima
Jubilo Iwata 0-1 Shimizu S-Pulse
Cerezo Osaka 3-2 Sagan Tosu
Kashima Antlers 5-1 FC Tokyo
Kashiwa Reysol 1-0 Kawasaki Frontale
Albirex Niigata 0-0 Vissel Kobe
Nagoya Grampus 0-0 Omiya Ardija

Going from top to bottom, Sanfrecce were held in a predictable scoreless draw with Marinos, allowing Vegalta to gain ground on the top spot as the Sendai team took three points from Gamba in a controversial match that saw Gamba “equalise”, but the officials deciding the ball had not gone over the line. Vegalta came out of that and doubled their lead, sealing the game, and the points. Gamba sit in 17th place, three points from safety, but the highest scorers in J1 (and the 2nd highest conceders!).

Meanwhile, Urawa Reds wasted the opportunity to move closer to the teams above them, as they went down to already-relegated Consadole Sapporo in a game they will want to forget!

In the Shizuoka Derby Shimizu S-Pulse came out victorious, and also moved above their neighbours, Jubilo, into 4th spot, with an eye on that ACL-qualifying top three place. S-Pulse also took out FC Tokyo 3-0 in the 2nd leg of the Nabisco Cup semi-final on October 13th, and booked a tie on November 3rd against Kashima Antlers, who were victorious over Kashiwa Reysol in the other semi-final. In league play, Kashiwa Reysol triumphed over Kawasaki Frontale on the only goal of the game, moving into 6th place on 42 points, although, it should be noted that the difference between Jubilo – in 5th place, also on 42 points – and 13th-placed Kashima Antlers is just five points!

Kashima Antlers reached 37 points courtesy of a 5-1 thrashing of FC Tokyo and they, along with Cerezo Osaka, on 38 points after a win over Sagan Tosu can not yet claim to be safe, but both teams are getting there. It is Vissel Kobe who have slipped into trouble after a bad run and they sit in 14th spot, just four points away from Albirex Niigata in the relegation spot of 16th. Those two teams fought out a scoreless draw last time out and now find themselves sandwiching Omiya Ardija – on 32 points, in 15th place, Ardija also getting a point from a scoreless draw in Matchday 28, against Nagoya Grampus.

You’ll find the full updated table for J1 (and J2), as always, at http://www.jsoccer.com/tables/

Archives, In the Mix, National Team, Reports

France 0-1 Japan (Kagawa) – Japan march on! Next up – Brazil.

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Japan soaked up some early pressure in a first half that they allowed France to run away with, but France failed to capitalize on their possession and Japan came back into the game in the 2nd half. While the winning goal could not be said to have come from an unlikely source – Kagawa – the genesis of the goal was indeed unlikely.

France took a corner late on, the ball broke free and centre back Konno sprinted up the field. As he approached the penalty area, on his right wing was left back Nagatomo, in front of him was right back Uchida! He slipped the ball outside to Nagatomo who pinged it across the goal into a crowd of players when all were expecting/hoping for the killer shot. But in that crowd was Kagawa, who finished smartly, falling as he connected with the low volley, and Japan took the game!

The result was excellent, some of the performance not so excellent, especially the 1st half, but any win against a top-ranked team can only bring more confidence to the team, and the squad.

Analyzing individual games it’s hard to point out any particular times when a Japanese player had a problem – which doesn’t say too much for the French team – but also, it’s hard to pick out any individual brilliance to comment on, apart from Kawashima, in the Japan goal, who did pull off a couple of smart saves in the closing minutes before Japan took the lead.

Sakai did enough at right back for us to not notice he wasn’t Uchida. Endo was his usual calm and collected self, spraying passes all over, while he also got in a couple of biting tackles when needed – he ended the game with the captain’s armband, after Hasebe went off – a fitting way to mark his record-equaling 122nd appearance for the Samurai Blue. Hasebe was as reliable as ever, but when replaced by Hosogai it was the right timing – if he doesn’t get to play more, or get a quick transfer, Hosogai may be getting that starting place soon.

Nagatomo beat the French right side with ease often enough, but his crosses came to nothing. On the right Sakai was less conspicuous in attacking mode. Nakamura, Kagawa and Kiyotake were up and down the field, working hard, but also creating space for each other and confident in the pass.

In central defence, Yoshida and Konno put nary a foot (or head) wrong, although the French attack could have done better with the possession they had, but forwards who can’t finish are the product of, among other things, defenders doing their jobs.

Zaccheroni gave Inui some time on the field late on, and the ex-Cerezo man – teaming up with Kagawa (and Kiyotake also in on the Cerezo connection) again – showed flashes of why he should be considered for selection again soon.

So, no individual brilliance, perhaps, from Japan, but a decent all-round performance in the end, and a win for Les Bleus Samourais!

Bring on Brazil!

Japan starting XI (4-2-3-1)

GK Kawashima
DF (R to L) H. HasebSakai, Yoshida, Konno, Nagatomo
DMF Endo,Hasabe
OMF (R to L) Kiyotake, Nakamura, Kagawa
FW 194cm Havenaar Mike

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

Sporting Clube de Goa (India) sign Japanese striker Seiya Sugishita

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Indian club Sporting Clube de Goa have signed Japanese striker Seiya Sugishita on a season-long deal after Bong Bertrand, was released by the club, opening up a foreigner spot.
The 25 year old forward was playing in the Japanese Regional Leagues for Saitama FC and waiting for the call from Urawa Reds or Omiya Ardija, but Sporting came calling.

The player was quoted as saying, “I really look forward to playing in India. I would like to thank Sporting Club de Goa for giving me this opportunity and I hope to repay their faith in me with many goals in this I-League season! My new teammates have made me feel at home and I cannot wait to play my first game”.

Arvid Narayan, the player’s agent said, “Sugishita is a very talented striker with all the attributes to succeed in India. His quick pace and technical sharpness will make him a threat”.

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!