JSoccer Magazine issue 17 is going to press next weekend… so much good stuff, interesting articles, and unusual things covered. You can all read about Gamba, Reds, Antlers, etc. every day (every hour) from various sources, so JSoccer Magazine never claims to be “up to date” or new (although the revealing of Usami’s transfer to Bayern Munich in Issue 1 was timed perfectly, after he’d told us weeks before knowing that the timing of his move announcement would coincide with release of magazine – hopefully not setting precedent!) … we have a Nadeshiko Women’s World Cup spread, an “early history” of Urawa Reds (and some great “ancient” pictures), a look at the final day of J1 in 2005 – more pictures, too. There’s a look at some young players who are eligible to play for Japan, but living overseas, the United Nations of S-Pulse (planned, need to finish that!), Taiwanese ladies playing in Japan, and MUCH more … details coming closer to release date but, as always, thank you for your support.
Category Archives: J.League
JSoccer Magazine Available on eBay, too!
Issue 1 – signed by Yasuhito Endo – here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/221259663017?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
Issue 8 signed by Beverly (Goebel) Yanez is here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/221259663013?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
Issue 15 available here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/321694573707?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
Bargain Issues 1 to 6 PDF easy-pack available here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/221259663014?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
Or mail alan@jsoccer.com with any questions, or requests for a specially tailored-for-you bargain pack!!
Thank you for your support!
Naoki Matsuda
Here’s the text with that video … August 4th, 2011, RIP Naoki Matsuda
Former Japan international defender Naoki Matsuda died on Thursday, two days after collapsing with a heart attack during training, leaving the country’s football community in mourning.
His death aged 34 was announced by his club Matsumoto Yamaga of the Japan Football League, the third-tier division, where he moved this year after 16 years at J-League first-division side Yokohama Marinos.
Matsuda fell into a coma after a warm-up run on Tuesday morning. He was rushed to hospital, where he was put on life support.
Fans, along with past and present team-mates, flocked to the hospital in the mountain city of Matsumoto, 180 kilometres (110 miles) northwest of Tokyo, as Matsuda fought for his life.
His death came just over two weeks after Japan’s women’s team won the World Cup for the first time.
“I never got to know Matsuda directly but knew what a great player he was having watched him in the J.League last year,” Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni said, according to Kyodo news agency.
Matsuda, known as a gutsy player and valued for his 183-centimetre (six foot) height, was capped 40 times. He played all four of Japan’s matches at the 2002 World Cup, when the Blue Samurai reached the last 16 at home. But his international career ended in 2005 when he fell out with then national coach and Brazilian legend Zico.
Matsuda said in his farewell speech to Yokohama fans in December that he lived for the game. “Seriously, I love football for the heck of it,” he said.
… and another worth your time:
The J-Talk Podcast no.151 is here!
The J-Talk Podcast reaches 150 Landmark! Congratulations!
I have been so far behind with all sorts of (fun) activities going on … here is the 150th episode of the J-Talk Podcast, released last week… have a listen!! (And a laugh at my predictions).
Shimizu S-Pulse v Nagoya Grampus J1 highlights, matchday 3 (2nd Stage), July 19th, 2015
Shimizu S-Pulse v Nagoya Grampus J1 highlights, matchday 3 (2nd Stage), July 19th, 2015
J1 2nd Stage, the story so far! What do you think?
After three games it means VERY little and, of course the play-off spots go on overall points totals, except for the top spot (winners of each stage) but it’s interesting that (after only three games, I know) that half of the division is on a win, a draw and a loss from their three games.
It must be confidence-boosting for Sanfrecce and Vissel to be “riding high” and for the likes of Reysol, Grampus and Kofu, for example, to be gaining points and entering the top 6.
A long way to go but confidence and a winning mentality always help in the long run.
Points shown only
1 Sanfrecce Hiroshima 9
2 Vissel Kobe 7
3 Kashiwa Reysol 6
4 Kawasaki Frontale 4
4 Ventforet Kofu 4
6 Nagoya Grampus 4
6 Gamba Osaka 4
8 Sagan Tosu 4
9 Urawa Reds 4
9 F.C.Tokyo 4
11 Kashima Antlers 4
11 Shonan Bellmare 4
13 Montedio Yamagata 3
14 Albirex Niigata 3
15 Matsumoto Yamaga F.C. 3
16 Yokohama F･Marinos 2
17 Shimizu S-Pulse 2
18 Vegalta Sendai 1
Nagoya Grampus 3-2 Gamba Osaka J1 highlights 15/7/15
Shimizu S-Pulse 0-5 Vissel Kobe
Vissel Kobe ended the first day of the 2nd Stage atop J1 after a convincing five goal away victory over 1st Stage cellar dwellers Shimizu S-Pulse. With goals coming from all over the field, it was a total victory that can only bring confidence for the coming stage.
Leandro – rejoining Vissel from Kashiwa Reysol – and, of course, teaming up again with manager Nelsinho, was thrown straight into the starting line-up and repaid that faith with hard work, creation of chances, and an easy finish to get on the score-sheet himself.
An interesting team selection from Nelsinho – with most of the squad available to him after a 1st Stage beset by injuries – saw nominal defensive midfielder Masatoshi Mihara return to the line-up, although just behind the strikers, while Ryota Morioka seems to have settled into his defensive midfield role, while previously accepted as an attacking player. Marquinhos was selected as a supporting striker/attacking midfielder to Leandro, the lone forward – technically – in a 3-2-2-2-1 formation.
The opening goal came from Morioka, in the 7th minute, who poked home a loose ball after Leandro had controlled a Takahito Soma cross, then created space from nowhere for an excellent shot that the keeper couldn’t hold.
Shunki Takahashi was next on the mark, volleying home another excellent far post cross from Soma in the 19th minute, with Leandro getting his goal four minutes before the break, after having a 22nd minute effort blocked by the desperate home defence. The returning Brazilian’s goal was simplicity itself, as a pinpoint pass from Jung Woo Young found Shunki Takahashi on the right wing. He sprinted to beat Mitchell Duke – no slouch in the speed stakes himself – to the ball and crossed it first time where the unmarked Leandro poked it home from close range.
In the 55th minute it was Soma yet again racing forward to send in a low, early cross for Marquinhos to stab home from close range. 4-0, and Vissel were cruising.
The final goal was, perhaps, the best of the day, and a personal victory for Shohei Takahashi. The central defender won the ball, found Leandro and sprinted off behind the Brazilian forward. Leandro sent the ball long and wide to Marquinhos in the right channel and the Vissel number 18 timed his run to perfection, reaching the ball for a first time cross to Takahashi for the defender to head home the final goal of the game after completing his 70 yard dash.
And so, Vissel end the day on top of J1 and looking forward to a successful 2nd Stage. A win against Shonan Bellmare on Wednesday night is next on the cards!
Team – Yamamoto, Iwanami, Masukawa, Sho.Takahashi, Morioka, Jung, Shu.Takahashi, Soma, Marquinhos, Mihara, Leandro
Vissel Kobe goals:
7′ Ryota MORIOKA
19′ Shunki TAKAHASHI
41′ LEANDRO
55′ MARQUINHOS
75′ Shohei TAKAHASHI
Attendance: 14,037
J1 – we missed you! 2nd Stage starts this weekend!
Matsumoto Yamaga v Urawa Reds 19.00
Yokohama F•Marinos v Montedio Yamagata 19.00
Kashiwa Reysol v Sagan Tosu 19.00
Kawasaki Frontake v FC Tokyo 18.30
Albirex Niigata v Kashima Antlers 19.00
Vegalta Sendai v Sanfrecce Hiroshima 18.00
Shimizu S-Pulse v Vissel Kobe 19.00
Gamba Osaka v Ventforet Kofu 19.00
Shonan Bellmare v Nagoya Grampus 18.00