Gamba beaten (in more ways than one) in China!

The JFA have announced that the two late-March friendly games against Montenegro and New Zealand will go ahead as scheduled, despite the disastrous earthquake and tsunami in Japan.March 25th Japan is scheduled to play Montenegro at Ecopa Stadium in Shizuoka and Tokyo’s “Kokuritsu” National Stadium will see Japan host New Zealand on March 29.

Stay tuned, but that’s what we hear in advance of an official announcement.

Albirex take top spot n the opening day. Gamba take the Osaka Derby, Nagoya scrape a lost-time PK draw. S-Pulse live down to expectations! In J2 FC Tokyo gain three controversial points. On TV, the big decisions are glossed over COMPLETELY – what’s new!

Gamba run out winners in opening day Osaka Derby!

In answer to many request, some goading, some dares, and just to get it over with before the start of the J1 season in a couple of hours, literally, here is my not very scientific prediction of the J1 table at the end of the season – warning – do NOT use this to base any bets on

Japanese teams began their ACL campaign with mixed fortunes. On March 1st Nagoya went down 2-0 away to Hangzhou Greentown, while Gamba Osaka destroyed Melbourne Victory 5-1 (report follows). On March 2nd Cerezo Osaka laboured to a 2-1 win against Arema Indonesia, while Kashima Antlers ground out a goalless away draw at Shanghai Shenhua.

Pre-Season Views for the Gamba Osaka web site …

Very concise rundown (limited to 450 words) on the ACL for a magazine in Japan!

Basic, but brilliant? That’s one comment I had already!! A very swift / brief look at J2 teams and what they have to offer – comments, critique, omissions? PLEASE mail me!