Tag Archives: japan

Previews

J1 Preview – Sat. Sept.15th – 19:00 Gamba Osaka vs Albirex Niigata at Banpaku

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Gamba Osaka – GK Kimura, DF Nakazawa and FW Kawanishi all out with broken legs. DFs Kaji and Eduardo out injured. FW Leandro is hopeful of returning from injury.
Albirex Niigata – MFs Uchida and Nakamura injured

7 wins for Gamba, 5 for Albirex, and 5 draws over the last decade, all in J1

Gamba have Leandro to thank for inspiring them to an unbeaten run that got them out of the bottom three and, sure enough, when he was out injured in the last league game Gamba went down to Sagan Tosu. This game is a real six pointer in the battle against relegation and Gamba will be hoping their Brazilian hot shot is fit. If so, expect goals – Gamba ARE the 2nd highest scorers in J1, even though they are in the lower reaches – and the points to go to Gamba.

The Gamba defence is still leaking goals, too, though, but the incoming loan of Iwashita seems to have settled them a little. Albirex are struggling to score goals but Gamba rarely keep a clean sheet, so perhaps we can expect a high scoring game? Albirex Niigata, though, are the lowest scorers in J1, having notched only 16 goals in 24 matches, and have lost three of the last four – surely the form of a team bound for J2?

EXPECT a WIN for GAMBA OSAKA!

Previews

J1 Preview – Sat. Sept.15th – 19:00 Kawasaki Frontale vs Kashima Antlers at Todoroki

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Kawasaki Frontale – DFs Saneto and Morishita out
Kashima Antlers – DF/MF Nakata is out for 2 months, DF/MF Yamamura is out for 3 months.

11 wins for Frontale, 7 for Antlers, and 3 draws over the last decade or so.

This probably should be classed as a must-win game for Kawasaki Frontale if they are not to be dragged down into the relegation fight. Last week’s narrow, uninspiring win over Vissel Kobe should have gone some way to seeing Kashima Antlers safe, although mathematically they are still in with a chance of being dragged down and will also be very grateful for a win…
Frontale fired coach Naoki Soma very early in the season, even though he had steered the team to a couple of wins. It was said his football was uninspiring, one wonders what the team management think of the current situation, and how much longer they will be patient if another win or two are not forthcoming?
I think the pressure will get to Frontale, but Antlers are not much better this season so EXPECT A DRAW!

In the Mix, Previews

J1 Preview Sat. Sept.15th – 19:00 Yokohama F. Marinos vs Urawa Reds at Nissan Stadium

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Yokohama F.Marinos only reporting long term injury victim Amano.
Urawa Reds – apart from MF Naoki Yamada who is out for the season, no other injuries reported this week.

Since 2003 we have seen 10 wins each, and five draws – even all the way!

Yokohama F.Marinos had a long run unbeaten and rose up the table before biting the dust against Cerezo Osaka away and then losing another up against FC Tokyo. The Marinos bubble burst and many fans are hoping it will mean that Manabu Saito will get more time on the field after returning from London 2012. Shunsuke Nakamura has not shown too much of his super skills this season, perhaps he should make way for Saito? Marinos have conceded only 26 goals this season BUT have scored only 30, with Marquinos, Ono and Oguro misfiring often.
Up against Urawa Reds, who will be looking for a win to make up for the disappointment of a draw in the Saitama Derby last time out, will be a tough ask for Marinos.

Reds seem to be gearing up for a tilt at the top in the final games and since the top two are playing each other this week, a win for Reds is imperative. They won’t let this opportunity pass will they?

EXPECT a WIN for URAWA REDS!

Previews

J1 Preview – Sept.15th -19:00 Vissel Kobe vs Jubilo Iwata at Kobe Universiade

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Vissel Kobe – DF Inoha is suspended. DF Hayashi is out for the season, MF Haneda is doubtful, but not in contention for selection anyway!?

Jubilo Iwata – MF Fujita is suspended. FW Kanazono still reported injured. GK Kawaguchi and MF Matsuoka out for the season. DFs Sakurauchi and Cho out. MFs Yamamoto, Baek and Rodrigo Souto all out injured.

8 wins for Jubilo, 7 for Vissel and 3 draws since 2003, Vissel winning both of the last two games 3-1, home and away!

Vissel Kobe lost narrowly, and probably deserved a draw, last time out at Kashima Antlers, and the team were probably disappointed with that. Then they lost in the Emperor’s Cup to lower league opposition, so plenty of players will have plenty to prove to their fans… another loss will be very upsetting for the Vissel faithful. The team are “only” nine points away from a 3rd place spot right now. ON the other hand they are also nine points away from a relegation spot – very middling. They will be looking to put on a final spurt in the last ten games with a view to finishing in the top 6. A tough call, but not impossible, they can then build on that in 2013 and become a championship-challenging team – or that is what the plan is! The likes of Ogawa and Morioka must mature together with the experience of Okubo and Kitamoto, blending together to make a real team. These are games that they must win if they are to gain the confidence to move up the table.

Jubilo Iwata remain in touch with the leaders, having held Sanfrecce Hiroshima to a draw last time out, and beating Kashiwa Reysol and Cerezo Osaka before that. Jubilo may be the top scorers in J1 this season, but they have conceded a lot, too – in fact one more goal than Vissel Kobe up to this game. Let’s go for a HIGH-SCORING DRAW!!

Previews

J1 Preview Aug.25th – 19:00 Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs FC Tokyo at Hiroshima Big Arch

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FC Tokyo – MF Otake out for the season, DFs Ota, Jang and Hiramatsu out for a few more weeks each, no news on FW Hirayama from the club, MF Hanyu may be set to return but needs match fitness.

Head to Head – 7 wins for Sanfrecce, just one for FC Tokyo and 5 draws since 2004, all in J1.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima sit atop the J.League four points clear of Vegalta Sendai, after the clubs around them all dropped points recently. Having said that, Sanfrecce themselves lost at home to S-Pulse when they topped the division two weeks ago so anything can happen with the “Curse of the Top Team” in J1! But FC Tokyo are seriously tiring and showing dire form right now, with fans seriously worried about them dropping into the relegation battle after such a good start to the season. A win for FC Tokyo here would settle the team, go some way to rebuilding shattered confidence and pull them away from a potential nail-biting final two months. But Tokyo are beset with injuries and inconsistencies and I can’t see them taking out a Sanfrecce riding high at the top, especially if Hisashi Sato – J1 top scorer – is allowed time in front of goal.
With five or six teams poised to challenge, if a decent run can be ut together, the fate of Sanfrecce’s Championship aim is in their own hands now and I can not see them losing today.
EXPECT a WIN for SANFRECCE HIROSHIMA!

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Jリーグ J1 プリビュ− 8月18日19:00 サンフレッチェ広島 vs. ＦＣ東京 (ビッグアーチ)

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２位のベガルタに勝ち点４差で首位に立つサンフレッチェ。周辺チームが揃って星を落としたためやや水が開いたが、Ｊ１上位チームの変動は流動的だ。ＦＣ東京にとっても、この１勝は今後の２ヶ月間の戦いを占う意味で大きな意味を持つ。ただ、負傷者多発で満身創痍の感がある東京に対し、現在得点王の佐藤寿人をはじめ広島の攻撃陣は好調を維持している。
優勝争いは今後上位５、６チームに絞られていくことになるが、サンフレッチェは自力で勝ち進んでいける位置にいる。
サンフレッチェ広島の勝利！

Previews

J1 Preview Aug.25th – 19:00 Vissel Kobe vs Sagan Tosu at Home's

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Vissel Kobe – DF Inoha, MF Nozawa, FW Okubo have all been on the injury list this week
Sagan Tosu – DF Kitani out for at least another month.

Head to Head – this year’s 3-0 home win for Sagan is the only meeting between these two teams in J1 so far. Four games in J2 in 2008 saw 3 Vissel wins and a draw.

A key point could be the injury list for Vissel Kobe – Inoha, Nozawa and Okubo have all proved to be key players this season as Vissel put a good run together. Having loaned out possible replacement Komoto to Omiya, Vissel will have to use Takagi at CB if Inoha is unfit – the player has often crumbled under pressure. Sagan are fast and efficient on the counter-attack and this position could prove crucial to the game’s outcome. As of the day before the game nothing was confirmed on any of the players from the Vissel camp.
Vissel will have Ogawa available again after suspension and Morioka is a capable replacement for either Okubo or Nozawa if needed. A win for Kobe would really boost the confidence and make them think they have a chance for a top three finish – it will be in their own hands.
Sagan Tosu continue to surprise and confound the critics. They lost at home to a rebounding Shimizu S-Pulse last week, but have been having a good run and still remain in contention for a top 3 place! How long before that bubble bursts? Or are they the real deal? MF Mizunuma is a key man and if Vissel can watch him safely, that may be the difference. EXPECT a HARD WIN for VISSEL KOBE!

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Jリーグ J1 プリビュ− 8月18日19:00 ヴィッセル神戸 vs. サガン鳥栖　(ホームズスタジアム)

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ヴィッセル好調の要因、伊野波、野沢、大久保が揃って負傷欠場、河本を大宮にレンタル移籍している今節、プレッシャーに弱いＣＢ高木の起用を強いられる。鋭い効果的なカウンター攻撃が売り物のサガンを相手に、このＣＢのポジションは、この試合、極めて重要になる。試合前日現在、ヴィッセル側から起用選手はまだ発表されていない。
神戸にとって、この１勝は、シーズン終了時点で上位３位以内に留まれるかどうかの極めて重要な星となる。
一方のサガン鳥栖は、前節のエスパルス戦は惜敗だったが、粘り強い戦いぶりは健在だ。これからの試合に真価が問われる。ＭＦ水沼が試合の鍵を握る。ヴィッセルが水沼に仕事をさせなければ、ヴィッセル神戸の勝利！

Previews

J1 Preview Aug.25th – 19:00 Cerezo Osaka vs Yokohama F.Marinos at Kincho

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Cerezo Osaka have no injuries or suspensions to report.
Yokohama F.Marinos – DF Amano out for the season.

Head to Head – 6 wins for Marinos, 2 for Cerezo and 5 draws, since 2003, all in J1 competition.

Cerezo Osaka looked on course for a win away at Jubilo Iwata before they conceded two late goals to Maeda and took a loss at 4-3. The dynamic duo of defensive midfielders Ogihara and Yamaguchi returned from London 2012 – along with Sugimoto, who had confirmed the end of his loan period at Verdy just before the Olympics – but these players, along with new incoming are yet to gel and they do not have much time to form a team. Having to replace two players of the calibre of Kiyotake and Kim will be hard but the team need 2 or 3 wins in the next month or so to ensure that a team of promising individuals can grow together in J1 next season. They have to start that against a team who have not lost since … can anyone remember?!
Two draws in the last three games have seen Yokohama F.Marinos sustain their unbeaten run but they must feel that they should have taken all three points last week after being up 2-0 over Kawasaki Frontale. Despite having scored only 29 goals in their 22 games, they find themselves in 5th position, poised for a run at an ACL place. To confirm that – or better – they have to win games like this, and they need someone other than Marquinos to share the goal burden. Whatever happened to the promise of Yuji Ono? Oguro will always score goals, but will miss many chances while doing it, and have his dry patches. This game could be one of them. EXPECT a WIN for CEREZO OSAKA!

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Jリーグ J1 プリビュ− 8月25日 19:00 セレッソ大阪 vs. 横浜Ｆマリノス (キンチョウス)

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前節、セレッソは、終了間際の前田の２ゴールでジュビロに３-４の逆転負けを喫した。ロンドン帰りの扇原と山口、オリンピック直前にヴェルディと交わしたローン移籍が確定した杉本、新たにチームに加わった選手らが未だ溶け合っていない。清武とキム・ボギョンの抜けた穴を埋める作業には確かに時間がかかるが、来季への準備も踏まえて、目の前の試合を勝利したい。
22試合で29得点は確かに貧相だが、マリノスは現在、ＡＣＬの出場権も狙える５位につけている。そのためにも、この試合は落とせないし、マルキーニョス以外の選手からの得点が欲しい。小野、大黒らの奮起に期待したい。ツボにはまれば爆発する可能性はある。この試合、セレッソ大阪の勝利！