In the Mix

Jリーグ　J1 ゲーム リポート 8月25日

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鹿島アントラーズ０-１アルビレックス新潟
鹿島は、遠藤のミドルシュートの跳ね返りを頭で容易に押し込めたところをジョニーニョが外すなど、再三のチャンスを逸する。
一方のアルビレックスは、前半38分、鹿島の一瞬の隙をついてカウンター攻撃に出る。ＧＫ東口からブルーノロペスへ、さらにキーパー後方へ回り込むようにして動いたミシュウにボールが渡り、浮かし気味にゴールに流し込んだ。

サンフレッチェ広島０-１ＦＣ東京
首位チームのプレッシャーか、サンフレッチェはホーム戦に連敗。一方のＦＣ東京は、安全圏に留まるべく必死の戦いを制した。49番のユニフォームのルーカスが、49分に東京にとっては久々の勝ち点３を掴み取る得点を決める。上位陣では、レッズ、ベガルタが勝ったため、Ｊ１トップは混戦状態だ。

大宮アルディージャ１-３ベガルタ仙台
前半25分、長谷川がミドルレンジからハーフボレーを叩き込んで試合が動く。だが前半終了直前、ウィルソンが同点弾を決めると、流れはベガルタに大きく傾く。後半は試合を支配したベガルタが、鎌田、松下とゴールを決めて突き放した。

柏レイソル０-３ジュビロ磐田
前半早々の５分、ジュビロは山田が先制ゴール。その後レイソルは近藤がレッドカードで一発退場。悪意のあるチャージではなかったが、確かに危険なチャージだったので、正しい判定だと言える。
ジュビロはその後、前半28分に駒野がＦＫを決め、後半33分には前田が得点を重ね、勝ち点３を掴んだ。

清水エスパルス０-２浦和レッズ
負傷者と出場停止者でディフェンス陣が弱体化しているエスパルスには、レッズの攻撃は止められなかった。レッズは前半11分、梅﨑がお手本通りの見事なハーフボレーで先制すると、20分には阿部がＰＫを決め、試合を決定づける。エスパルスは後半、高木がスーパーＦＫを放つが、ＧＫのファインセーブに拒まれる。その後は、レッズが試合を統制し、エスパルスの復調に歯止めをかけた。


(Photo from afshinghotbi.com)

セレッソ大阪２-０横浜Ｆマリノス
本稿で予想した通り、マリノスの連続無敗記録を16で阻止したのはセレッソだった。後半20分、山口が左足を振り抜くと、ボールは鮮やかにゴールに突き刺さった。その12分後には、柿谷が落ち着いてゴールを決め、勝ち点３を掴んだ。

川崎フロンターレ０-１名古屋グランパス
玉田の久々の先発出場も、増川、ダニエルを出場停止、ダニルソンを負傷で欠く名古屋は、闘莉王をＣＫに戻す布陣でこの試合を制した。

ガンバ大阪７-２コンサドーレ札幌
最下位のコンサドーレを復調ガンバが圧勝した。ハットトリックを演じたレアンドロをはじめ、佐藤が２点、家長が１点、そしてコミカルなオウンゴールの７得点。ただ、日高、上原に許した失点は今後の課題点。

ヴィッセル神戸０-０サガン鳥栖
盛り上がりに欠ける無得点試合。神戸は田代のヘディングが、鳥栖は豊田のシュートが互いのゴールに迫るが一歩及ばず、都倉のヘディングもゴールを割るがキーパーチャージで無効となった。

In the Mix, Reports

Shimizu S-Pulse 0 – 2 Urawa Reds

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Ecopa Stadium, August 25, 2012
Attendance: 23,188

We played poorly and did not help our cause by conceding two goals in the first 20 minutes of the match. There are a lot of reasons, but in the end it was a lost opportunity to close the gap to six points to the top of the table. Urawa defended well and took advantage of our, and the officials’ errors to get maximum points. Our options were limited coming into the game, missing Jong-A-Pin and Lee due to suspension and Yoshida to injury. Without three key defenders, we had to shuffle our selection and move Muramatsu to central defense, Alex to a defensive role in midfield, and 19 year old Inuki had to start in the right back position for his J.League debut.

The first ten minutes started as predicted, with Urawa sitting back and defending with all 11 players waiting for counter attack opportunities. Omae and Takagi had chances to give us the lead, but the first and decisive goal came when Ishige was fouled in a wide position after a corner was cleared by Kato, the goalkeeper of Urawa. The referee and the linesman close to the play both ignored the foul and allowed Urawa to counter attack. A diagonal pass found Hirakawa behind our defense, and, yes, he was offside. Hirakawa’s service found a free Umesaki on the back post, beating young Inuki to the inside position. The goal rattled our players, and we lost concentration. Alex lost the ball in the back third, then his chase into our box gave an opportunity for slightest contact, a dive, and a penalty kick. Down two goals with only 20 minutes gone, we did not psychologically recover until half time.

In all fairness, we gave a great effort in the 2nd half and dominated the entire 45 minutes. We needed a break to climb back into the game, but it was not meant to be. Our wave of attacks met with a resilient Urawa defence, and Kato made the save of the game on Takagi’s superb free-kick. We should have been awarded two penalties, as an Urawa player definitely handled the ball in the early part of the 2nd half, and Kim Hyun Sung was clearly brought down in the box later. Both were waved off, and the frustrating evening ended with a costly defeat.

On a positive note, we had a wonderful month of August winning 4 out of 5 games. Hiroshima, the league leaders also lost, and this softened the blow, as the margin to the top of J1 remains 9 points. With 11 matches to play, we still are in the race and hope to cut the lead next Saturday, as we will visit Sapporo. Until then, so long.

Afshin Ghotbi

Nadeshiko

FIFA U20 Women's World Cup Japan 2012 Update – Saturday August 25th

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Today’s matches:

In Kobe 16.30:
ITALY v. NIGERIA
The two sides met in the group stage in 2004, battling out a 1-1 draw thanks to Nigerian Akudo Sabi’s goal two minutes from full-time, after Raffaella Manieri had given Italy the lead on 68 minutes.

If Ebere Orji takes to the field she will be playing her 12th match in the competition, equaling the appearance record for a Nigerian player in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, which was set by Ulunma Jerome who featured in the 2004, 2006 and 2008 campaigns.

Michela FRANCO (#4) of Italy is suspended for this match.

In Kobe 19.20:
MEXICO v. NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand, who have one win and one draw so far this campaign, have never gone unbeaten for three straight matches in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Mexico scored two of their three goals in the first minute of second-half injury time, through Sofia Huerta in the 4-1 reverse against Japan and Olivia Jimenez in the 2-0 win over Switzerland.

In Tokyo 16.20:
KOREA v. BRAZIL
Brazil have failed to win their opening two matches for the second successive edition of the tournament. Back in 2010 the South Americans followed up a 1-0 defeat by Korea DPR and a 1-1 draw against Sweden with a 4-1 victory over New Zealand, but were unable to prevent their first group-phase elimination from the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Korea have never drawn in 11 matches played in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, having recorded six wins and five defeats.

In Tokyo 19.20:
SWITZERLAND v. JAPAN
Japan have a positive record in four games played against European opposition in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, having accrued three wins plus a defeat by Germany in the 2002 quarter-finals, albeit after extra time.

Switzerland was the first side to be eliminated at the group stage of the 2012 finals, following their loss to Mexico on 22 August. The following day on 23 August, Ghana’s hopes of progressing to the next phase also ceased to be, became no more, curled up the tootsies and joined the choir invisible, etc.. They are an ex-U20WWC team!

Nadeshiko

FIFA U20 Women's World Cup Update – FRIDAY, 24 AUGUST 2012

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Yesterday’s highlights

DPR Korea 9-0 Argentina
Norway 2-1 Canada
Ghana 0-1 Germany
USA 1-1 China

Highlights of that North Korean goalfest http://www.fifa.com/u20womensworldcup/highlights/video/video=1685742/index.html

Korea DPR’s 9-0 rout of Argentina is the most emphatic victory in the history of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. It surpasses the previous biggest winning margin of eight goals which was achieved in 2006, when Germany beat Mexico 9-1 and Nigeria defeated Finland 8-0.

Having netted five times against Argentina, Kim Un Hwa equalled the record for the most goals scored by a player in a single FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup match, which was established by Canada’s Christine Sinclair in 2002 against England.

The meeting between Korea DPR and Argentina was the first FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup match to have produced two hat-tricks, with Kim Un Hwa and Kim Su Gyong helping themselves to five and three goals respectively.

The eighth Korean goal against Argentina, struck by Kim Su Gyong, was Korea DPR’s 50th in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. The East Asian side now boast the third-most prolific attack in the history of the competition with 51 goals, behind Germany on 85 and USA on 76.

Norway’s win over Canada was their second victory at a FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. Their first was a 2-1 success in 2008 against another CONCACAF team, namely Mexico.

Against Ghana, Germany racked up their ninth straight win in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, leaving them just one short of equalling USA’s record ten-match winning streak.

Germany, the only team in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2012 yet to let in a goal, have not conceded in 296 minutes. The last player to breach the German defence was Korea Republic’s Ji So Yun in the 2010 semi-finals.

USA and Germany each contested their 30th match in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup yesterday, against China PR and Ghana respectively. The pair have played more games than any other side in the tournament’s history.

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!