Tag Archives: japan

J1 Preview Aug.25th – 19:00 Gamba Osaka vs Consadole Sapporo at Expo'70

Gamba Osaka – GK Kimura, DF Nakazawa are out with broken legs. FW Kawanishi is working hard to return from a broken leg but not yet match fit. RBs Kaji and Eduardo both injured!
Consadole Sapporo – FW Sakaki joins a long injury list.

Head to Head – Gamba won 4-0 away earlier this season and in 2008 there was a draw and another Gamba victory. That’s all between these two.

Gamba Osaka are on a roll, at last, and are entertaining the bottom team on the back of a 5-0 away thrashing of 2010 Champions Nagoya Grampus, so will be expecting another high-scoring win to take them out of the relegation zone and improve their goal difference. Two wins and two draws in the last four games have seen them come within touching distance of that safe 15th spot, although they will be setting their sights on a much higher position if they can win this one. The return of ace Leandro has kick-started the team into action, Konno scored his first goal for the club last week, Paulinho is a decent back-up player who is scoring goals and Sato sees himself high up in the scoring charts. Amazingly, even in such a lowly position, only three teams in J1 have scored ore goals this season!
Consadole Sapporo have been hit by numerous injuries over the season but seemed to be destined for an immediate return to J2 from the start of the season. They have now conceded 52 goals in their 22 games – scoring just 17 in the process – and bringing in the likes of Tele and Ramon does not seem to be the answer – they have certainly not proved themselves to be J1 players, although, being completely honest, the team are probably already rebuilding for a season in J2 in 2013! Forwards Kondo and Maeda seem set to return from injuries, but will they be given a place over the Brazilian imports? The last four games have seen two wins for Consadole – over Vegalta and Grampus – but the fans have probably accepted that the team are headed for J2 – perhaps this is the only change they have – playing without pressure because they know they are doomed already!?
EXPECT a WIN for GAMBA OSAKA!

Jリーグ J1 プリビュ− 8月25日 19:00 ガンバ大阪 vs. コンサドーレ札幌 (万博)

ガンバがついに走り始めた。前節、2010年度のリーグ覇者グランパスを5-0で圧倒したその勢いで、札幌にも高得点で勝利し、得失点差を立て直し、降格圏から離れたい。エースストライカー、レアンドロのチーム復帰が起爆剤となり、佐藤も得点を重ねている。下位に低迷しながら、得点数に関しては、わずか3チームしかその上にいないガンバというチームは、確かに驚きだ!
一方、コンサドーレ札幌は22試合で52失点、17得点。テレとハモンの加入が即戦力とはなっていないが、恐らく、来季へを見据えての再構築の一環として考えているのだろう。FW近藤と前田は負傷からの復帰が見込まれているが、新加入ブラジル選手がいる今、はたして出場機会はあるのか。
ガンバ大阪の勝利!

Jリーグ J1 プリビュ− 8月25日 19:00 川崎フロンターレ vs. 名古屋グランパス (等々力ス)

前監督の相馬氏から引き継いだ風間監督は、二人の息子を含む多数の新選手でチーム再建をはかってきた。風間体制の真価を見るのは来季になるのだろう。
一方、最近5試合でわずか1勝のグランパスは、チーム20周年の記念試合の前節、ガンバ大阪に惨敗。この試合、闘莉王が出場停止から、玉田が怪我から復帰するが、この二人は崖っ淵のチームを救うことができるか。玉田のまだ完全でない体調と、CB増川の出場停止を考えると、闘莉王をCBに戻し、玉田と永井には得点に専念させるのだろうか。永井を生かす術を知るケネディの欠場は痛い。
川崎フロンターレの勝利!

J1 Preview Aug.25th – 19:00 Kashiwa Reysol vs Jubilo Iwata at Kashiwa

Jubilo Iwata – GL Kawaguchi and MF Matsuoka out for the season, DF Cho, MF Yamamoto and FW Han out injured. DF/MF Riki Kitawaki has been allocated number 28 and may be considered for selection soon.

Head to Head – 9 wins for Jubilo, just 3 for Reysol, and 3 draws since 2003, all in J1.

Kashiwa missed the influence of suspended midfielder Leandro Domingues last week and struggled to create chances, but I question their wisdom in bringing in Neto Baiano and leaving the likes of Sawa and Tanaka on the bench. Proven goalscorers, team players doing well, replaced by a player who was a complete failure in his previous stint in Japan. I can only presume that Reysol see a huge improvement since then and feel he is worth a place – I will reserve judgement for now.
This is certainly a HUGE game for both teams – Reysol have drawn their last three games after an impressive run took them up the table, while Jubilo have been inconsistent lately but still cling to 6th place, just two points behind Reysol. Jubilo have won only one in their last four but remain J1 top-scorers, unfortunately they are 4th worst in defence, having conceded 35 goals. Japan national team forward Maeda scored two late goals to get all three points for Jubilo against Cerezo last week and will be looking to consolidate his position in the Samurai Blue ahead of the World Cup 2014 qualifier against Iraq
Reysol are only two goals behind Jubilo in the scoring stakes so perhaps we can expect a HIGH SCORING DRAW here today!?

Jリーグ J1 プリビュ− 8月25日 19:00 柏レイソル vs. ジュビロ磐田 (柏ス)

MFレアンドロドミンゲスを出場停止で欠いた前節は攻め手の乏しかったレイソルだが、沢や田中を控えに回しネット・バイアーノを起用した策には疑問が残る。コンビネーションも良く結果も出していた二人に代えて、前回の来日時には全く機能しなかった選手を起用したレイソル首脳陣には、ネット・バイアーノに潜在的な可能性が見えているのだろう。静観したい。
チーム得点ではジュビロに2点差でリーグ2位のレイソル、この試合は、高得点の引き分けとなるか?!

J1 Preview Aug.25th – 19:00 Omiya Ardija vs Vegalta Sendai at NACK 5

Omiya Ardija – MF Murakami and FW Shimizu both injured.
Vegalta Sendai have no injuries or suspensions to report.

Head to Head – 5 wins for Sendai, 3 for Ardija and 2 draws in 10 meetings since 2004.

Omiya pulled off an away win at FC Tokyo last weekend after losing three of their last four before that, while conceding 11 goals. The three points from their FC Tokyo win were vital with Gamba Osaka finally coming good and it is going to be a long struggle for survival in the coming weeks of this 2012 season. The return of Higashi from London 2012, and the instant success of new Slovenian striker Novakovic, who scored the winner last week after coming on as a substitute all helped, but hosting the team in 2nd place will not help them this week. A tough match is in store. On loan centre back Komoto – from Vissel Kobe – will be trying hard to have an impact and prove he is worth a place at Vissel, or a transfer fee for Omiya.
Vegalta Sendai have faltered, as they did last summer – when they saw themselves drop from the top with a winless string of results – and are currently four points off the top spot now, having seen four draws and a loss in their last five outings. Six teams must realistically fancy their chances of overhauling Sendai for the 2nd spot soon, so the team really have to pull out all the stops and get back to winning ways. Poor Omiya may be their victims as they come good this weekend.
Expect a WIN for VEGALTA SENDAI!

Jリーグ J1 プリビュ− 8月25日 19:00 大宮アルディージャ vs. ベガルタ仙台 (NACK5ス)

前節までの4試合、11失点で3敗を喫していた大宮だったが、前節のFC東京戦には辛うじて勝利。前途多難だ。
昨シーズンと同様やや夏バテ気味のベガルタは、ここ5試合を1敗4分けと、現在、首位から勝ち点4差まで順位を落としている。だが、この試合、大宮を餌食に浮上のきっかけとするか。
ベガルタ仙台の勝利!

J1 Preview Aug.25th – 18:30 Kashima Antlers vs Albirex Niigata at Kashima

Kashima Antlers – FWs Osako and Dutra and DF/MF Nishi are all suspended. DF/MF Koji Nakata will be out for at least another month.
Albirex Niigata – MFs Kim, Nakamura and Ichida, and FW Suzuki are all long-term injuries.

Head to Head – surprisingly even over the years, since 2004, 7 wins for Antlers, 6 for Albirex and 7 draws.

Kashima have won one of the last three – with defeats to Sagan Tosu and Urawa Reds sandwiching a win over Jubilo Iwata. After a terrible start Kashima put some points on the board but still look like a team in disarray at times and are not yet clear of relegation this season. If they can consolidate their position in J1 the powers-that-be need to decide if they keep faith with Jorginho as coach, then they can start the rebuilding process. FW Koroki will have a lot on his shoulders with the suspensions of Osako and Dutra which could be a bonus for Albirex Niigata, who are in deep trouble.
The return of CB Suzuki from the Olympics didn’t make much difference last week in a defeat to top team Sanfrecce Hiroshima, and they are the lowest scoring team in J1, with even less goals than bottom club Consadole! FWs Hirai, Yano et al MUST take the chances that they are given, as they are few and far between.

Even with the suspensions I can not see Albirex getting anything out of this. Expect a WIN for KASHIMA ANTLERS!

Jリーグ J1 プリビュ− 8月25日 18:30 鹿島アントラーズ vs. アルビレックス新潟

ここ3試合の鹿島は、ジュビロには勝ったものの、サガン戦、レッズ戦を落としている。出足で大きく躓いたアントラーズも、その後は立ち直りの気配を示してはきたが、まだ降格圏に舞い戻ってしまいかねない不安定な戦いが続いている。J1の地位を確保したいアントラーズに必要なのは、監督ジョルジーニョの進退に関する決断だろう。チーム再構築への道は、そこからだ。大迫とドゥトラを出場停止で欠くこの試合、アルビレックスにはラッキーだが、FW興梠は孤軍奮闘を強いられる。
ただ、実力の差は歴然だ。鹿島アントラーズの勝利!

J1 Preview Aug.25th – 18:00 Shimizu S-Pulse vs Urawa Reds at Ecopa

Shimizu S-Pulse – LB Lee and CB Jong-a-Pin are suspended, while DF Yoshida is undergoing fitness tests.
Urawa Reds – all players seem to be fit for selection except Naoki Yamada who is out for the season.

Head to Head – ten wins each and four draws over the last decade – very even. Reds won the encounter earlier this year, but you have to go back to 2008 for Reds’ last League win before that!

Shimizu S-Pulse have begun a revival, as predicted here and this game is a major test of their credentials. A win for S-Pulse will put them within one point of Urawa Reds, while a win for Reds will dent Shimizu’s confidence and send them 7 points adrift of their opponents. Both teams have had problems scoring this season, though S-Pulse have finally started finding the net in the last few weeks and new signing, Korean Olympic forward Kim Hyun Sung will be looking to score his first for the team, while Omae and Takagi are hitting goals again, ably supported by Alex Brosque. So, while the forwards may be on song, the team will be without at least two of their regular defence and so may consider curtailing the attacking tendencies to concentrate on keeping it tight at the back – or maybe not! Coach Afshin Ghotbi is a swashbuckling type and while his players are confident he may just hope to score more goals than Reds!
As noted, Urawa Reds are not scoring many goals, so may not trouble the depleted S-Pulse defence as mush as they should… Ugajin has been scoring from midfield recently, and Haraguchi is gaining confidence up front. If the likes of Tanaka, Popo and Despotovic can give help from the bench Reds may hit the net today.

I am going to stick my neck out and go for a highscoring WIN for SHIMIZU S-PULSE!