Tag Archives: japan

In the Mix, Reports

J2 Matchday 39 – Results, table ….

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Montedio Yamagata 1-0 Giravanz Kitakyushu
Kyoto Sanga 3-1 FC Gifu
Avispa Fukuoka 2-3 Ventforet Kofu
Roasso Kumamoto 0-1 Yokohama FC
Tokyo Verdy 4-1 Tochigi SC
Machida Zelvia 2-4 Ehime FC
Shonan Bellmare 1-1 JEF United Chiba
Matsumoto Yamaga 2-1 Mito HollyHock
Tokushima Vortis 3-0 Kataller Toyama
Thespa Kusatsu 1-0 Fagiano Okayama
Gainare Tottori 1-0 Oita Trinita

Table at http://www.jsoccer.com/tables/

Starting at the top, Ventforet Kofu clinched the J2 Championship in an away victory over Avispa Fukuoka, while Kyoto Sanga put away their inconsistency for a while (?) and made 2nd spot their own with a 3-1 win over FC Gifu. Kyoto also have a game in hand – to be played this week at Tokushima Vortis – and COULD go four points clear of 3rd placed Shonan Bellmare with a win. With three games to go after that match is played, it would be a HUGE three points for the Kansai team.

Meanwhile, fighting for the play-off spots we saw Montedio Yamagata stay in the hunt with a 1-0 win over Giravanz Kitakyushu, who are now out of the running. Shonan Bellmare fought out a 1-1 draw and are in 3rd (66 points) and 6th (33) respectively. Oita Trinita went down away to Gainare Tottori in a shock result that sees Oita left in 4th on 64 points. In 5th we see Yokohama FC, who pulled off single goal away win at Roasso Kumamoto. Hanging around just outside the play-off zone, in 7th we see Tokyo Verdy, only edged out be JEF on goal difference, it must be said, who beat up Tochigi 4-1, effectively ending the losing team’s play-off hopes, although not mathematically, and this IS J2 we are discussing!

Montedio are in 8th and still in the fight and a special mention for Matsumoto Yamaga, in their debut year in J2, up to 9th (with a win over Mito HollyHock) and, technically still in with a chance, too – but, more importantly well clear of relegation and a nicely-consolidated place in J2 for 2013.

Fagiano Okayama likely lost their slim hopes of making the play-offs with a 1-0 defeat at Thespa Kusatsu, while aforementioned defeats for Kitakyushi, Mito and Tochigi sees those teams consigned to middle-table “obscurity” for this season now.

At the bottom Machida Zelvia went down 4-2 at home to Ehime FC and are now six points adrift of FC Gifu, in 21st position in J2 and are staring relegation from J2 in the face, J.League with associate members V-Varen Nagasaki well clear at the top of the JFL. For a full explanation of the possibilities of J2/JFL relegation/promotion see JSoccer Magazine Issue 5 page 27.

In J1 AND J2 we are in for BIG finish – be there with JSoccer Magazine and JSoccer.com

In the Mix, Reports

J1 Matchday 29 Round-Up

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Vegalta Sendai 3-2 Urawa Reds
Yokohama F Marinos 4-0 Jubilo Iwata
Omiya Ardija 1-1 Albirex Niigata
Kawasaki Frontale 2-3 Gamba Osaka
Shimizu S-Pulse 1-1 Vissel Kobe
Sagan Tosu 1-3 Nagoya Grampus
Consadole Sapporo 0-0 Kashima Antlers
Cerezo Osaka 1-1 FC Tokyo
Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1-2 Kashiwa Reysol

Table, as always, at http://www.jsoccer.com/tables/

It gets ever-more tight in J1 after this weekend’s results after Sanfrecce Hiroshima – sitting atop the league with a five point lead two games back – losing, at home to Kashiwa Reysol, and finding they are now on top on goal difference alone. Meanwhile 2nd placed Vegalta Sendai took out 3rd placed Urawa Reds (3-2) to, realistically make the race for the Championship a two horse race now but, as we all know in J.League, anything can still happen! Shimizu S-Pulse fans will be hoping, no perhaps that should be dreaming that the unexpected CAN occur as they close in on Urawa Reds, albeit with a home draw (1-1) against Vissel Kobe. With a win, S-Pulse might still be dreaming of a final run that brings them the title, but now, they probably have to settle for stealing that 3rd spot off Reds?! BUt, Kashiwa Reysol’s win over the top team meant that they sneaked into 4th spot and are also ready to attack Reds’ position.

Moving on down J1, Nagoya battered Sagan’s usually impregnable home fortress and took all three points (1-3) tp push them down into 9th spot, while Jubilo were indeed battered by Yokohama F.Marinos in a 4-0 win that could well have been 6 or 8-0 from many accounts. Marinos (7th) moved above Iwata (8th) with that win, albeit by just one point, and having equal goal difference.

The mid-table match-up – and mid-table is a compliment / testament to Cerezo, after their season! – ended 1-1, points shared and those teams are in 10th (Tokyo) and 11th (Cerezo) position. Moving into the relegation dogfight, Cerezo on 39 points couldn’t possibly go down now (could they!?) and sitting on the same points total are Kawasaki Frontale, who were beaten at home in a see-saw 3-2 defeat by Gamba Osaka, who have now scored 58 goals (four more than top dogs Sanfrecce!) but have a goal difference of +1! The win was vital for Gamba, as it pulled them to within one point of safety as Omiya Ardija and Albirex Niigata fought out a 1-1 draw. Omiya remain one spot (and one point) above Gamba, but have a 15 goal deficit in the goal difference category, compared to the Osaka team! Could be very important on that final day!

To round off the matches, Kashima Antlers, after “winning” an away point in a scoreless draw in Sapporo, are still not mathematically safe, having 38 points to their name, while that away point at an in-form S-Pulse was vital for Vissel, who sit in 14th position, just one, two and three points clear of Ardija, Gamba and Albirex respectively. It looks as if J1 will be going down to the final day at the top AND the bottom?!

In the Mix, Previews

Matchday 29 – JSoccer Magazine Previews J1 Saturday October 20th

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13:00 Vegalta Sendai vs. Urawa Reds at Yurtec.S – Reds to Kill Off Sendai Title Hopes?

Urawa Reds need a win to match the 51 points of Vegalta Sendai – a loss and they go six points back with just five games to go. They’d probably have to give up on their championship hopes so need at least a draw, but preferably a win. Sanfrecce will probably be hoping for a draw or, perhaps a Reds win.

On Sendai’s side, a win will give them 54 points, which is what Sanfrecce sit on now – it’s tight at the top and points will be at a premium in the coming month. Reds have lost two of their last three, while Vegalta have lost two of their last four … both teams need some consistency to finish the season to overtake Sanfrecce. Something’s gotta give in this match, and I think that will be Vegalta.

Reds need a goalscorer, instead of relying on last-gasp goals from Popo, but they’ll do enough in this match – EXPECT a WIN for URAWA REDS!

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14:00 Yokohama F.Marinos vs. Jubilo Iwata at Nissan.S – Bore Draw in Order Today?

One of the best defences in J1 at home, entertaining one of the best attacks in the league? Or alternatively, Marinos don’t score too many, while Jubilo have conceded quite a few. Anything could happen! Since their extended unbeaten run came to and end Marinos have gone downhill, boring even their own fans. They’ve won one in their last five and are in No-Man’s land on 40 points.

Having said that, Jubilo are only two points ahead, but four spaces up and were stung by S-Pulse in the Shizuoka Derby last time out. They will be missing international forward Maeda to injury and may struggle to break down this stubborn Marinos defence. Nothing less than a win for either team would be enough to keep them in touch with that 3rd spot and an ACL place in 2013. But I feel this will be a DRAW! Not enough for either team!

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15:00 Omiya Ardija vs. Albirex Niigata at NACK5.S – A Point Each for Relegation Battlers?

This match really is the proverbial relegation dogfight six-pointer. While Albirex have scored only 22 goals (five of them in that one wild game against Grampus), Ardija have just 28, we shouldn’t expect a goalfest! Added to that Albirex have conceded only one more goal than leaders Sanfrecce, BUT have lost their ‘keeper Higashiguchi for the season, and much longer.

Omiya Ardija have been close to relegation over and over, that experience MAY come in useful. They have won two and drawn three of their last five games – an unbeaten run that has seen them move out of the bottom three, just. Albirex have also turned it around with three draws and a win in their last four… it looks very much to me like a DRAW today!

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15:00 Kawasaki Frontale vs. Gamba Osaka at Todoroki – Gamba to Earn Vital Win!
Gamba Osaka will feel hard done by after their loss at Sendai last league match and find themselves three points adrift of safety with the two teams above them playing each other. Gamba are the highest scorers in J1 but also have the second-worst defence in the division, but Kawasaki Frontale are not the best team to take advantage of that.

While Frontale managed to win two out of their last three to hit 39 points and be very close to safety. They lost on a single goal to Reysol last time out and, while their injury woes have cleared up, their teamwork has not really gelled all season … coach Kazama may be looking for a new job next season even if he racks up a few wins before the end of the season.

The desperation of Gamba Osaka will trump the average season that Frontale are having and, presuming that talisman Leandro is fit and raring to go, expect a VITAL WIN for GAMBA OSAKA!

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15:00 Shimizu S-Pulse vs. Vissel Kobe at OUTSOURCING.S – S-Pulse Hangover? Or Extended Run of Success?

Shimizu S-Pulse beat off FC Tokyo for a place in the Nabisco Cup Final last weekend and will either be on a high ready to add to their three wins in-a-row, including that semi-final OR they’ll be hungover from the celebrations and succumb to a Vissel Kobe that REALLY needs the points! Will they build on that today?

Vissel Kobe have been hit by centre back problems, with Kitamoto suspended and Inoha returning from national team duty to report he is three weeks out of the game. They also have Tashiro in and out of the treatment room up front, and Okubo confirmed as missing at least two weeks. It’s time for a big game from Tokura, and Vissel have to pray that the error-prone Takagi is on form if he is selected as a cover centre back today.

Both teams have been rebuilding and, with some luck it could have been Vissel in that top six spot but, instead, they find themselves fighting relegation and need the win. Do they need it more than S-Pulse? EXPECT a DRAW! Shared spoils.

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15:00 Sagan Tosu vs. Nagoya Grampus at Saga – Sagan Home Form to Return!

Just a single point separates these teams in 7th and 8th places and Sagan’s home fortress has been breached recently, although they have still conceded only 30 goals in their maiden J1 season so far and have out-paced all the critics’ expectations, but are fading now as the season draws to a close. Cerezo Osaka took them out last game and they will want to show their home fans that they have not given up on their season yet.

Even though they have only scored four goals in the last five games, two of those were wins… they have lost two of their last three, though, including that confidence-killing 5-0 defeat from Albirex Niigata. Three or four wins in their final month could give them an air of respectability, while three or four losses would see them in the bottom half… what do they have left in them? They will miss Josh Kennedy if he continues to suffer from those back injuries but Tamada, Nagai et al should take on the goalscoring and creating among themselves.

EXPECT a WIN for SAGAN TOSU!

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16:00 Consadole Sapporo vs. Kashima Antlers at Atsubetsu – Surely Sapporo Can’t Win Two In-a-Row!

Last time out in J1 everyone had Consadole Sapporo down for a thrashing at the hands of Urawa Reds, but the surprise of the day, week, month (season?) saw Reds capitulate to the already-relegated team – at home! Once the “relief” of knowing their destiny sweeps over a doomed team, perhaps a change takes place! Could they win another? They’d have to go against history, having never even gained a point against today(s opponents in the past, but nothing is impossible, is it!?

Kashima Antlers made short work of Reysol last week in their Nabisco Cup semi-final and thrashed FC Tokyo 5-1 in their last league match, their up and down season will be on an up this time out and they’ll be hoping to continue their run with a win against Consadole. Osako got back among the goals recently and, with Maeda injured and Havenaar not having the best games in the national team jersey, perhaps Osaka will feel the chance to attract the eye of national team coach Alberto Zaccheroni over the next month or so – it’s now or never, Osako! EXPECT a WIN for KASHIMA ANTLERS!

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18:00 Cerezo Osaka vs. FC Tokyo at KINCHO.S – Cerezo to Continue Rise!

Cerezo Osaka are on the up – four wins in their last five games have taken them to the brink of safety. Re-hired coach Levir Culpi has almost completed his job and will be on his way in early December, leaving a space for a new coach – who that is, and whether Cerezo can hold on to their players for 2013 will decide the future of the team. They will give their all to get the win that will almost guarantee safety.

FC Tokyo have lost two of their last three and sit two points above Cerezo on the 40 points that probably does see them safe, but losing to Cerezo will dent the confidence indeed. Morishige is an influential player to lose on an away trip to a team in form and coach Popovic has not yet shown enough faith in Vucicevic to give him the start, but he looks more the apart than Edmilson – a stopgap at best? I EXPECT a WIN for CEREZO OSAKA!

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19:00 Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs. Kashiwa Reysol at Hiroshima.B – Sanfrecce to Consolidate Top Spot.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima are unbeaten in their last five and showing the form that should keep their head above water if it continues … with the two teams closest to them playing each other it is their chance to pull away from at least one of them, perhaps both – if there is a draw there! They are reporting no new injuries and have no suspensions and will be confident and ready to consolidate their place at the top. Losing this game will be a tragedy and they will NOT let that happen. Sato will be buoyed by his recognition of national team selection – although he didn’t play on the European tour – and will be on a high that his team will join.

Kashiwa Reysol have lost three of their last four – including a Nabisco Cup semi-final against Kashima Antlers and are missing Leandro Domingues and the reliable Sugai, they realistically have nothing left to play for? Six points out of 3rd place and playing the top team today, they can expect little chance of bouncing back from their cup defeat here today. With Sanfrecce knowing how much this game means I can’t see anything other than a WIN for SANFRECCE HIROSHIMA!

Follow Alan on Twitter @JSoccerMagazine

Archives, In the Mix, National Team, Reports

France 0-1 Japan (Kagawa) – Japan march on! Next up – Brazil.

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Japan soaked up some early pressure in a first half that they allowed France to run away with, but France failed to capitalize on their possession and Japan came back into the game in the 2nd half. While the winning goal could not be said to have come from an unlikely source – Kagawa – the genesis of the goal was indeed unlikely.

France took a corner late on, the ball broke free and centre back Konno sprinted up the field. As he approached the penalty area, on his right wing was left back Nagatomo, in front of him was right back Uchida! He slipped the ball outside to Nagatomo who pinged it across the goal into a crowd of players when all were expecting/hoping for the killer shot. But in that crowd was Kagawa, who finished smartly, falling as he connected with the low volley, and Japan took the game!

The result was excellent, some of the performance not so excellent, especially the 1st half, but any win against a top-ranked team can only bring more confidence to the team, and the squad.

Analyzing individual games it’s hard to point out any particular times when a Japanese player had a problem – which doesn’t say too much for the French team – but also, it’s hard to pick out any individual brilliance to comment on, apart from Kawashima, in the Japan goal, who did pull off a couple of smart saves in the closing minutes before Japan took the lead.

Sakai did enough at right back for us to not notice he wasn’t Uchida. Endo was his usual calm and collected self, spraying passes all over, while he also got in a couple of biting tackles when needed – he ended the game with the captain’s armband, after Hasebe went off – a fitting way to mark his record-equaling 122nd appearance for the Samurai Blue. Hasebe was as reliable as ever, but when replaced by Hosogai it was the right timing – if he doesn’t get to play more, or get a quick transfer, Hosogai may be getting that starting place soon.

Nagatomo beat the French right side with ease often enough, but his crosses came to nothing. On the right Sakai was less conspicuous in attacking mode. Nakamura, Kagawa and Kiyotake were up and down the field, working hard, but also creating space for each other and confident in the pass.

In central defence, Yoshida and Konno put nary a foot (or head) wrong, although the French attack could have done better with the possession they had, but forwards who can’t finish are the product of, among other things, defenders doing their jobs.

Zaccheroni gave Inui some time on the field late on, and the ex-Cerezo man – teaming up with Kagawa (and Kiyotake also in on the Cerezo connection) again – showed flashes of why he should be considered for selection again soon.

So, no individual brilliance, perhaps, from Japan, but a decent all-round performance in the end, and a win for Les Bleus Samourais!

Bring on Brazil!

Japan starting XI (4-2-3-1)

GK Kawashima
DF (R to L) H. HasebSakai, Yoshida, Konno, Nagatomo
DMF Endo,Hasabe
OMF (R to L) Kiyotake, Nakamura, Kagawa
FW 194cm Havenaar Mike

In the Mix, Previews

J1 Preview – Urawa Reds vs Consadole Sapporo at Saitama Stadium – Oct.6, Matchday 28

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Team News
Urawa Reds – only the long-term injury of Naoki Yamada is affecting Reds this week.
Consadole Sapporo – FW Maeda is facing a fitness test, FW Tele is doubtful.

Head to Head – In J1 2008 home and away Reds won both games, and this season Reds won the away match – that’s all there is between these two teams!

Match Preview – Consadole Sapporo were mathematically relegated last weekend, with 7 games to go. 70 goals conceded, just 20 scored, and showing a goal difference of minus 50, this must be the game that Urawa Reds make the 2nd spot their own. With me expecting Vegalta Sendai to falter again against Gamba, Reds can rack up some goals today and pull back some of the 12 goals that separate their goal difference from Vegalta’s, ready to take 2nd and start putting pressure on Sanfrecce for the top spot. Despite scoring only 37 goals all season, and having that 5-0 home loss to Gamba to think about, Reds are still in position to make a grab for the title. Imagine if they’d had a decent all-out centre forward who could score goals this season (Leandro and Reds? What a combination that might have been!). There is no reason to look at the chances of Consadole in this game, unless we think that, now that they’ve been relegated the pressure is off?!! Didn’t think so? If Haraguchi can keep his mind on the game after being subbed very early last week, and the midfield boys provide the chances (and convert them) EXPECT a high-scoring WIN for URAWA REDS!

In the Mix, Previews

J1 Preview – Vegalta Sendai vs Gamba Osaka at Yurtec Stadium – Oct.6, Matchday 28

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Team News
Vegalta Sendai – DF Kamata is suspended. MF Sekiguchi is very doubtful.
Gamba Osaka – Long term injuries GK Kimura, DFs Nakazawa, Eduardo and FW Kawanishi are all, no new injuries reported.

Head to Head – with Vegalta only returning to J1 in 2010 there have only been 5 meetings since then, 2 wins for Gamba, 1 for Vegalta and 2 draws. In the 2003 season each team won the away leg of their games!

Match Preview – Vegalta Sendai were beaten at S-Pulse last weekend and GK Hayashi had a nightmare, the confidence will be shot, the pressure is on to claw back the five point deficit at the top and who is visiting? Gamba Osaka, who hit five goals past Reds and Grampus away in recent games. Sendai do have the experience of falling from grace in the final weeks of the season (see 2011) so will that see them know what to avoid? A slow start, followed by a decent period after settling in, saw Wilson hit the net regularly, but he has stalled again now that other teams know what to expect and his failure to score puts it all on the shoulders of Akamine. If the porous Gamba defence can keep Akamine under wraps, the game is as good as theirs.
Gamba Osaka have not lost a game that Leandro has started in – since he arrived he has scored 11 goals in nine games – missing the 4-1 defeat to Sagan Tosu. If Leandro is fit and firing on all cylinders expect J1’s top-scoring team (54 goals, from 16th spot?!) to add a few more, but, as always we can’t expect a clean sheet for Gamba can we!? It looks tough on paper for Gamba, but they have performed better away from home against the top teams! EXPECT a high-scoring game and a WIN for GAMBA OSAKA!

In the Mix, Previews

J1 Preview – Jubilo Iwata vs Shimizu S-Pulse at Ecopa Stadium – Oct.6, Matchday 28

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Team News
Jubilo Iwata – FW Kanazono is close to return, but not this week? GK Kawaguchi also back in training. MFs Matuoka and Baek are long term injuries.
Shimizu S-Pulse – Only FW Takagi is reporting injured and may be fit for the bench after a hamstring injury.

Head to Head – Very even in 22 meetings since 2003, with 9 wins for S-Pulse, 8 for Jubilo and 5 draws.

Match Preview – A strange one here, Ecopa Stadium chosen as the home venue – probably because Jubilo expect a big S-Pulse away following and can make more money at a bigger stadium, but Ecopa is more the home of S-Pulse in many people’s eyes! So, home advantage lost here, for Jubilo and, with S-Pulse seeing off Vegalta Sendai last week, and vaulting up to within a point of Jubilo, the “away” team will be all fired up for the win to help them move above their neighbours for the first time in months, and have them ready for a final six game tilt for the top 3. Excellent incentive for S-Pulse to win, of course, but also JUbilo will not want that to happen and will pull out all the stops to make sure it doesn’t. Nevertheless, with Kim finally among the goals last weekend, and Jubilo missing their influential Korean, Baek, the blue half of Shizuoka may well be disappointed at the end of the day!
With S-Pulse slowly weeding out some dead wood, as well as moving Shinji Ono on – with the blessing of the club – the team have plenty of leeway in looking for a new foreign signing to replace the departed Brosque, and plenty of youngsters chomping at the bit to join the revolution. A top 3 finish will buoy the team towards big things in 2013 – and an ACL place, of course – and a win here will push them closer to overhauling Vegalta Sendai for that spot. EXPECT a WIN for SHIMIZU S-PULSE!

In the Mix, Previews

J1 Preview – Nagoya Grampus vs Omiya Ardija at Mizuho Athletic Stadium – Oct.6, Matchday 28

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Team News
Nagoya Grampus – Kennedy has a recurrence of his back injury and is very doubtful, MFs Nakamura and Isomura out injured, reserve GK Takagi out.
Omiya Ardija – MF/FW Slatan is suspended. DF Kataoka out injured.

Head to Head – In 17 meetings in J1 or the Nabisco Cup since 2005 Grampus have 9 wins to Ardija’s 4, and 4 games have ended in a draw.

Match Preview – Nagoya won three in-a-row after their 5-0 defeat by Gamba Osaka and looked to have turned the corner, then they lost to Sanfrecce (top team, fair enough) and, last week succumbed 5-0 to Albirex! With Kennedy probably out again, with a recurrence of his back injury, they will need to dig deep into the reserves of confidence to come back, but come back I think they can. It’s time for Tulio to be the hero again! Nothing less than a win will keep Grampus in with a hope of hitting the top 3 for an ACL 2013 spot.
Omiya Ardija are on a four game unbeaten run – two wins and two draws – that has pulled them out of the bottom three but, discounting a 5-0 win over Consdaole in that time, the team have scored only 23 goals in their other 26 games and do not look like improving on that tally any time soon. If they keep grinding out the low-scoring points they could be safe yet again, but I don’t fancy them today! EXPECT a WIN for NAGOYA GRAMPUS!

In the Mix, Previews

J1 Preview – Albirex Niigata vs Vissel Kobe at Tohoku Den Stadium – Oct.6, Matchday 28

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Team News
Albirex Niigata – DF Ishikawa, MFs Nakamura and Uchida, FW Suzuki all reported out injured.
Vissel Kobe – FW Tashiro is still doubtful, DF Hayashi out for the season.

Head to Head – In 18 meetings since 2004 Vissel have won just 3, with 11 wins for Albirex and 4 draws. Vissel won their home tie this season, 1-0.

Match Preview – Albirex Niigata pulled off a 5-0 win over Nagoya Grampus last weekend, after scoring only 17 goals in their previous 26 games! It was a vital win that kept them in touch with Gamba Osaka and Omiya Ardija and a win here would take them to within a point of their opponents and really out Vissel Kobe in trouble. History favours the home side and Vissel must halt their slide of four defeats in-a-row or they will find themselves heading to J2. The fight for 40 points – the probably total for safety this season? – is well and truly underway and it is VITAL for Vissel KObe that they do not lose this. A win would be even better, but it’s tough for a team who are playing reasonably well but losing to get over that losing feeling. perhaps the best that they can hope for is a point? EXPECT a DRAW!

An oldie but goodie as Emerson says goodbye to Vissel fans!

In the Mix, Previews

J1 Preview – Kashiwa Reysol vs Kawasaki Frontale at Kashiwa Stadium – Oct.6, Matchday 28

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Team News
Kashiwa Reysol – DF Masushima is suspended. MF Leandro Domingues is undergoing treatment and will need a fitness test.
Kawasaki Frontale – GK Nishibe, DF Morishita, MF Inamoto and FW Kobayashi all reporting as injured.

Head to Head – In 13 J1 or Nabisco Cup meetings since 2005 Frontale have 6 wins to Reysol’s 4, with 3 draws.

Match Preview – Kashiwa Reysol have won just one of their last five and now sit 9 points adrift of 3rd place, 14 off the top, and look to have blown their chances of even an ACL-qualifying finish this season. With Leandro Domingues doubtful, and the recent arrival of Brazilian forward Neto Baiano dividing fans (and the team?) they will find it hard to break out of their slump but, who better to do it against than a very average Kawasaki Frontale? A narrow win against bottom club Consadole and a fortunate win against FC Tokyo two games back mask the fact that this is a team in trouble. They are probably only one win from safety, perhaps only needed 5 or 6 points from their final 7 games to make sure of J1 status next season, but the can’t seem to relax. As I’ve noted before, coach Kazama’s tactics will be looked at very carefully come the end of the season and whether he will still have a job for 2013 remains to be seen. EXPECT a DULL DRAW here today!?