Here will be JFL (non-league) and CUP tournaments
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!!
Season 2012 sees changes in the J.League, the biggest change being the fact that teams from J2 can be relegated to the JFL, although there are various things to be taken into consideration in that particular area.
Relegation for J1 is the same as in recent years, with the bottom three teams automatically going down to J2. In some previous incarnations of J.League there has been a play-off system in place giving the 3rd from bottom team a chance to hold on to their J1 status – not this year!
The top two teams in J2 will be promoted automatically, while there will be a play-off in place for the third promotion place between the teams that finish from 3rd to 6th in J2.
The play-off systems for J2 to J1 and for JFL to J2 are skewed in favour of the team that finished higher in the league, which I find I am in agreement with – how about you? Read on ….
The play-off will be a simple 3rd against 6th and 4th against 5th – the 3rd and 4th teams having home advantage. The two winners will then play-off for the third J1 place. These two games will be one-legged games and, if scores are level at 90 minutes, the team that finished higher in J2 will go through to the final play-off match. The final play-off match will be at Kokuritsu National Stadium, and a one-off game, also with the higher placed team winning if scores are level after 90 minutes.
Relegation from J2 is a possibility, with the bottom team going down automatically, and the champion of the JFL being promoted. The team second from bottom (21st) in J2 will host a home game against the team that came 2nd in the JFL, but the JFL team must win that game within 90 minutes. There will be no extra time and, if the game ends in a draw, the J2 team keeps its place in the division.
Having said that, teams in the JFL who wish to enter the J.League must become Associate Members of the J.League before being eligible for promotion. Some clubs do not want to be promoted and have intentionally not applied for Associate Membership, other clubs do not yet qualify. In the event that an ineligible club finishes top of the JFL the 21st team in J2 retains its place in the J.League and the bottom club hosts a play-off with the JFL’s runner up. If the clubs that finish 1st and 2nd in the JFL do not meet the criteria top join the J.league, no team will be relegated. The honour of playing for a J2 place will not go down to 3rd place in the JFL – for this year, at least.
As of August 1st, the JFL teams that are eligible to take a 2013 place in J2 are: V-Varen Nagasaki, Kamatamare Sanuki, Nagano Parceiro. Also granted Associate Membership – S.C. Sagamihara, who are still in Kantō League Div. 1 but getting full marks for planning ahead!!
Criteria for being granted Associate Membership of J.League includes (but is not limited to) the following stipulations:
The club must be an entity or organization solely devoted to football (ie. no university or company teams accepted) and at least half of the shares of stock must be of Japanese ownership.
The club must have feasible financial status, whatever that actually means (Manchester United would probably not be given J.League Associate Membership!!?). The J.League recommends ¥ 1.5 million of capital for J2 promotion and 5 million by the end of the third year in J2.
There are also some rules in place on employees, payroll system and taxes.
Stadium necessities include the fact that the home stadium (and training ground/facilities) must be located in the proposed hometown and the team must have (or have plans to build/reconstruct) a stadium with capacity of 10,000 and a natural grass pitch, along with an acceptable press box and conference room.
JSoccer.com hope that’s helped you understand the ins and outs of the growing J.League family!
Akihiro Ienaga will return to Gamba Osaka on loan for the rest of the season and is available for the Omiya Ardija game on August 4th – you heard it here first 
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 ….
Great fun to be asked by the BBC to comment …. the fact that they gave me about 10 minutes notice and no script or idea of what they were going to discuss probably helped me. Just answered to questions and said what I felt to be true. No planning or scripting to worry about! I hope you like it,
Alan
Average picture and only Japanese “commentary” but worth a look – that foul at the start that the referee did not give could have been a game-changer… thankfully Gonda and the defence held firm and it was all good from there!
Spain shocked by Japan 1-0 – Chinese news site.
Spain Upset By Japan – The Huffington Post.
Japan pull off the first shock of the Olympic football BBC Sport
WORLD and European champions Spain fell to a surprise defeat – The Scotsman.
World and European champions Spain fell to a surprise defeat. Daily Mail.
Japan stun Spain 1-0. News 3 New Zealand
Japan upsets Spain 1-0. Oregon News.
…. and finally … Japan shock ten-man Spain – FIFA.com
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!