Japan moved on to the knockout stage of the Under-17 World Cup in Mexico after an easy a 3-1 victory over Argentina. Japan ended the group stage with 7 points after holding France 1-1 and beating Jamaica in the opening game. In the final group game Japan thrashed Argentina on goals from Daisuke Takagi and Hiroki Akino. The group stage sees only 8 teams eliminated so it is all to play for – even Argentina, for example, in 3rd place are through and, if they beat England in the Round of 16, the will face Japan again, if the Junior Blue Samurai take care of New Zealand.So it really starts NOW, but a decent group stage will help the confidence!

Gamba move on up (and two games in hand), Reysol win again, Sendai lose at last, S-Pulse looking good, Frontale hold Antlers, Marinos keep winning, Reds score 98th minute PK! Vissel robbed by luckiest goal ever!?Gamba Osaka 5-3 Sanfrecce HiroshimaShimizu S-Pulse 1-0 Vegalta SendaiKashima Antlers 2-2 Kawasaki FrontaleVentforet Kofu 1-4 Kashiwa ReysolAlbirex Niigata 1-1 Cerezo OsakaNagoya Grampus 1-1 Urawa Red DiamondsAvispa Fukuoka 1-2 Jubilo IwataMontedio Yamagata 0-2 Yokohama F. MarinosOmiya Ardija 1-1 Vissel Kobe

A bit behind with this as I’ve been finishing off JSoccer Magazine (but you knew that!!).Vegalta thrash Ventforet. Gamba school Reysol. Reds win battle of bottom. Omiya snatch it from Jubilo. Frontale squeeze past S-Pulse … and more.Vegalta Sendai 4-0 Ventforet KofuKashiwa Reysol 2-4 Gamba OsakaUrawa Reds 3-0 Avispa FukuokaShimizu S-Pulse 2-3 Kawasaki FrontaleJubilo Iwata 1-2 Omiya ArdijaVissel Kobe 0-1 Kashima AntlersCerezo Osaka 2-3 Nagoya GrampusYokohama F. Marinos 1-0 Albirex NiigataSanfrecce Hiroshima 3-2 Montedio Yamagata

Gamba take out Reysol, with ease and move within six points of the top, with two games in hand.

Sendai draw again, but stay unbeaten. Endo rallies Gamba to three points. Reysol march on, Reds don’t! Frontale starting to show they’re title contenders?Gamba Osaka 2-1 Yokohama F. MarinosUrawa Red Diamonds 1-3 Shimizu S-PulseVentforet Kofu 0-2 Cerezo OsakaKawasaki Frontale 2-0 Sanfrecce HiroshimaAvispa Fukuoka 0-2 Kashiwa ReysolNagoya Grampus 2-2 Omiya ArdijaMontedio Yamagata 2-0 Vissel KobeKashima Antlers 2-0 Jubilo IwataAlbirex Niigata 1-1 Vegalta Sendai

As noted on my Twitter account over last few days, Adriano spoke to JSoccer.Com on Saturday and pretty much admitted he was on the way, saying it would be very difficult at age 29 to turn down this huge offer to go to Qatar! He’ll join Magno Alves, Araujo and Bare on the list of players that Gamba coach Nishino has taken from “lesser” teams and built up for selling off. At least he won’t be cheap and Gamba can spend the cash from the sale (and from Usami’s deal?) and pull in some decent young players? What do YOU think? Tweet your answers to @JSoccerMagazine or mail me at alan@jsoccer.com

Reysol bubble bursts. Sendai remain unbeaten. Antlers’ struggle continues. Avispa get a point!Vegalta Sendai 2-1 Gamba OsakaCerezo Osaka 0-1 Yokohama F. MarinosShimizu S-Pulse 2-1 Montedio YamagataNagoya Grampus 4-0 Albirex NiigataVissel Kobe 0-0 Avispa FukuokaSanfrecce Hiroshima 0-0 Urawa Red DiamondsKashiwa Reysol 0-3 Jubilo IwataOmiya Ardija 0-5 Kawasaki FrontaleKashima Antlers 0-1 Ventforet Kofu

Another two points dropped for Gamba, but still those two games in hand …

Japan, Czech Republic and Peru play out a three way no goals share in the Kirin Cup.

Sure, I’m wearing blue and black spectacles …. but this is how I saw it