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Who would be Calm, Cool and Collected?

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Who would be Calm, Cool and Collected?

Japan is currently blessed with a hoard of talented footballers. Although being ranked at a lowly 52 in the FIFA rankings presently, the team is undoubtedly under-performing. You only have to look at the exit from this year’s AFC Asia Cup to see the disappointment etched on many fans’ faces when knocked out in a penalty kicks loss to United Arab Emirates after previously topping their group with 3 wins out of 3 in the group stage.

With many of the star players currently in the international crop coming from top European leagues such as Germany, England and Italy many predict that the Japanese squad needs to reach its peak over the next couple of years. But after the disappointment of the AFC Asia Cup we thought we would take a lighthearted look at some of the national team’s squad members.

Have you ever wondered how some of the players would fare playing another sport? Poker has become a very valuable fundraiser for football clubs over the years. You only have to look at the extremely popular ‘Road to Old Trafford’ hosted by Manchester United that raised a sizeable amount for Rio Ferdinand’s Foundation in 2012. The charity poker event featured past and present players as well as a host of professional poker players. But how would some of Japan’s national players fare against each other? Let’s discuss…

Shinji Kagawa (Borussia Dortmund)

Always composed on the ball, Kagawa would be cool, calm and collected under pressure. With a rabid card culture at his old club Manchester United, the midfield maestro would’ve no doubt played his fair share of poker during his time in England. At the poker table, you could imagine Kagawa being unreadable at times staying stoic throughout – getting creative with his bluffs and would always be willing to take a risk just like when he’s taking on defenders in the final third for his current club, Borussia Dortmund.

Maya Yoshida (Southampton)

The big central defender is having the best period of his career to date with Southampton in the English Premier League. He would no doubt be full of confidence and wouldn’t be intimidated at the poker table. He’s also a ball playing defender who is calm under pressure, too and you’d expect this to transcend to his poker game.

Keisuke Honda (Milan)

One of Japan’s most celebrated players, Honda is suave and sophisticated – he’d likely bring a certain aura of confidence to the tables. Another creative, risk-taker, Honda would be unpredictable in his game play and always look for interesting ways to steal his opponents’ stacks.

Makoto Hasebe (Eintracht Frankfurt)

The national team captain, Hasebe would be dependable under pressure and like his on-the-field-game, extremely reliable and consistent. Unlikely to do anything particularly rash, Hasebe’s game would rely solely on playing the odds and percentages as opposed to risking his stack for a needless bet.

If the above international players were to engage in some high-stakes poker, they wouldn’t be the first from the football world. Just last year German international Max Kruse and Spanish ace Sergio Ramos played in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas among 6,000+ professionals. With Kruse and Ramos learning their trade on online portal and during away trips, it didn’t take the pair long to realize their love for the game was more than just a hobby.

The availability of online poker portals in Europe is unparalleled with thousands operating legally across the continent. Betting exchange Betfair has over 30 game variants taking place at one time on their site, which is the ideal platform for poker players to access and play competitively anytime of the day. These vast options helped the betting exchange to post record profits in 2015 as well inking deals with professional clubs such as Liverpool, which has broadened the brand’s appeal in the football world.

With many professional footballers now transitioning into the world of poker. Who do you think will be the first Japanese international to make their bow at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas? And, who do you think out of the current crop of internationals would make the finest poker player? Let us know your thoughts below.

Front Page, National Team, Reports

Japan 4-0 Palestine

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Japan 4-0 Palestine

Endo 8′, Okazaki 25′, Honda (PK) 44′, Yoshida 49′

by Alan Gibson for JSoccer Magazine

 

Japan starting XI:
Kawashima, G.Sakai, Morishige, Yoshida, Nagatomo,Hasebe, Endo, Kagawa, Inui, Honda, Okazaki

 

With a local time of 18.00 for kick off in Australia, the air was warm, but not too hot – a balmy 27 degrees C, and a slight spatter of rain to add a little zip to the surface – at Hunter Stadium, Newcastle, New South Wales for Japan’s opening match of the Asian Cup, against tournament debutants Palestine.

It was, in the end, a walk in the park for Japan – the Group D favourites – against Asian Cup first-timers Palestine, with Yasuhito Endo, Shinji Okazaki, Keisuke Honda and Maya Yoshida all getting on the scoreboard to open the Samrai Blue defence of the trophy confidently – and with a clean sheet.

Japan celebrate Endo's opener!
Japan celebrate Endo’s opener!

Javier Aguirre chose experience over youth – as I’d expected – with Endo and Makoto Hasebe starting in the middle of the park, despite some critics’ dismissal of both players’ selections for this tournament. With Gaku Shibasaki a little behind in fitness after joining the squad late, due to a flu infection, his non-inclusion was not a surprise anyway, so the veteran pair selected themselves.

Takashi Inui – who had been in a rich vein of goalscoring form in friendlies before the tournament proper – was given the nod over Muto, or Kiyotake, depending on your outlook and Gotoku Saki was looking to make the right back spot his own.

It was no surprise to see Eiji Kawashima between the posts and, of course, this game was never going ahead without Honda, Shinji Kagawa and Okazaki.

Honda beats his man, again!
Honda beats his man, again!

Life will be a little harder for Japan in their remaining Group D fixtures against Iraq (Friday) and Jordan (Tuesday).

Palestine had qualified for this – their first Asian Cup appearance – through the AFC Challenge Cup, and questions will probably be asked about their winning of a place over more qualified national teams who went through the qualifying process unsuccessfully.

Endo’s opener was a speculative – possible even mis-hit – grass-cutter from about 25 yards that escaped the keeper’s fingertips after he seemed to dive too early. The reigning champions then doubled their lead in the 25th minute when Inter Milan’s left back – said to be on the radar of Premier League West Bromwich Albion – attacked down the left. His cross was forced out, but the bouncing ball fell to Kagawa, who saw his blast headed home from close range by the lightning reflexes of Okazaki.

Palestine had made a habit of pushing and pulling the Japanese players and this came home to roost when Mus’ab Al Battat was judged to have bundled Kagawa over in the penalty area. Honda stepped up to place the ball past the keeper with some ease and it was 3-0 at the break.

Japan made their first change as the second half began, with Hiroshi Kiyotake replacing Takashi Inui as the teams came out for the restart.

Japan added their fourth goal when Kagawa received a short corner in the area, twisted one way, slipped back the other and lobbed a deep far post cross for Yoshida to head home with aplomb. Still lels than 50 minutes on the clock and Japan were cruising in second gear, if that.

Palestine then raised the physical aspect of their game with more and more fouls and started to lose any friends that they might have gained by making it this far. This rough play saw Japan’s second sub, Yoshinori Muto – on for Endo – get a high boot in the stomach (or worse!?) moments after entering the field. His assailant escaped with just a yellow card.

Ahmed Harbi was not so lucky and saw his second yellow in the 73rd minute, and yet, as Palestine went down to ten men, Japan seemed to lose momentum, or desire, or just slip down into a lower gear, their job done.

After earlier flailing – and missing – at the one cross that came his way, Kawashima then saw a free header from a right wing free kick fly past his post as Al Bahdari was given space to attack the ball.

Yohei Toyoda made a late appearance for Japan but did little as the Samurai Blue settled back for the easy win, yet, as additional time wound down it looked as if Japan would get another. Kiyotake saw his shot saved, and then the ball ricocheted around the box and four goal attempts were blocked within ten seconds before the final whistle sounded.

Summary? An easy win against a team that were out of their depth and got more physical as the game progressed. A clean sheet, no yellow cards and, hopefully, no injuries is more than a decent start to the campaign. Bring on Iraq!

JSoccer Magazine
Images (C) World Sport Group

Previews

Vissel Kobe vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima at Home's Stadium 15.30, Dec.1st

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Team News
Vissel Kobe – MF Tanaka is suspended. FW Yoshida undergoing tests, DF Hayashi out for the season.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima – no suspensions,

Head to Head – 9 wins for Sanfrecce, just 2 for Vissel, and 4 draws since 2004.

Match Preview – Vissel Kobe simply need a win to save themselves. A draw would see both Gamba and Albirex able to overtake them with a win. If Cerezo, one place above Vissel lose, it would allow Vissel to overtake them . . . plenty of permutations and Vissel have their fate in their own hands, unlike Gamba and Albirex below them. Tanaka is suspended while Sanfrecce have no suspensions or injuries or . . . anything to play for!

Sanfrecce clinched the Championship last week and could well be hungover, or just simply unmotivated. Either way Vissel fans will be hoping for an underpar Championship-winning team to visit! Vissel have previous experience in surviving on the final day and this could stand them in good stead for this huge game. Vissel fired coach Nishino two games back and caretaker boss Ryo Adachi won the first match in charge (again – he also took over Vissel temporarily earlier in the season when coach Wada was moved on!) but went down, narrowly, to Kashiwa Reysol, with ten men for the best part of the game, and now find themselves with this final big match to finish off the season, again! This is tough to call but I think we should EXPECT a DRAW – which may still not be enough for Vissel!

Previews

Shimizu S-Pulse vs Omiya Ardija at Outsourcing 15.30, Dec.1st

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Team News
Shimizu S-Pulse – DF Yoshida is suspended, MF Hattanda is doubtful with an injury.
Omiya Ardija – no injuries or suspensions.

Head to Head – 9 wins for S-Pulse, 4 for Ardija, and 5 draws since 2005.

Match Preview – Omiya Ardija have put a superb run together and are now safe in J1 for another season of struggle in 2013 – or are they? Will they finally improve next season or will they mess it up, again? Survive, and shoot themselves in the foot! Many fans feel that the biggest improvement has been Komoto at centre back and, if all is well he will hold off the S-Pulse attack today, while the likes of Cho and Higashi finally live up to their potential! Another win against S-Pulse and the team can go out on a high for the season – unbeaten since two defeats to Sanfrecce and Vegalta way back in August – and try to build on that.

Shimizu S-Pulse’s youngsters have buckled since the Nabisco Cup final defeat and seem to have given up the ghost going on recent results. Having said that, coach Afshin Ghotbi stated that their performance in the defeat to Kawasaki Frontale last weekend was one of their best in a long time but, nevertheless they have gone down to three league defeats in a row and are ending their season on a down. If the team stay together there will a decent season to look forward to but, for now, the team may well have their focus on the Emperor’s Cup? EXPECT a DRAW!

In the Mix, Previews

JSoccer Magazine J1 Previews Matchday 33

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17:30 Kashiwa Reysol vs Vissel Kobe at Kashiwa – VIssel to Hold Back Resyol Tide?

Team News
Kashiwa Reysol – MF Kurisawa is suspended. MF Mizuno will probably miss the last two games.
VIssel Kobe – GK Tokushige is still doubtful, FW Yoshida undergoing tests, DF Hayashi out for the season. FW Tokura is suspended.

Head to Head – 9 wins each, and just 2 draws in 20 meetings in J1 (and a J2 season in 2006) since 2003.

Match Preview – a match with it all the play for. Kashiwa Reysol seem to have the very influential Leandro Domingues back and fit, just in time for a push for that 3rd spot, the ACL place for 2013. They won’t have any problem overcoming their injuries with their deep squad and they’re in decent form after an away win at Marinos. I have said it before, but their forwards are doing the job – Kudo, Tanaka, Sawa are all in reasonable form, so hopefully, for the team’s sake, Neto Baiano won’t get a look-in!

Vissel Kobe, on the other hand, will miss Tokura, who has been among the goals recently, and are under severe pressure to win or face a final day fight against Sanfrecce Hiroshima to stay in J1. Having said that, with the current form of Ardija and Gamba, a win here might still leave them needing another win on the final day anyway! They won for the first time since August last week, in interim coach Adachi’s first match in charge since Akira Nishino was fired and that new coach adrenalin effect may still be in force today! It will be a tough match but Vissel have more to lose and I think we can EXPECT a WIN for VISSEL KOBE!

17:30 Kawasaki Frontale vs Shimizu S-Pulse at Todoroki – S-Pulse to Come Back from Losses!

Team News
Kawasaki Frontale – DF Jeci is injured again, along with DF Komiyama. DF Morishita is back from injury but not match fit, no suspensions.
Shimizu S-Pulse – MF Hattanda is doubtful, no suspensions.

Head to Head – 7 wins for Shimizu S-Pulse, 3 for Kawasaki Frontale and 3 draws since 2005 in 13 J1 meetings.

Match Preview – Kawasaki Frontale made their J1 place safe last weekend with a last gasp away win by the single goal at Niigata, probably condemning their opponents to relegation at the same time. Combined with a 4-2 win over Reds the week before, they have relaxed at last, and Renato is back on form – a hat trick against Reds – depending on results around them they could be looking at a top 6 finish after all, if they win their final two games. I feel that would be a false position, though, and the the team really need to look at some of the choices made by coach Kazama. If Renato is in the same form as against Reds they could score a goal or two!

Shimizu S-Pulse have had a roller coaster season. At one point in 2nd spot with the top in sight, they went on a winless, even goalless streak and plummeted down J1. They then recovered and as close as three games ago had faint Championship hopes, but certainly a hand on an ACL place. Two straight defeats in J1 (and the Nabisco Cup FInal loss) have knocked them back and they will have a confidence problem, perhaps. They are a young team and it will be important to get a win or two in these final games to help them bounce back and be ready for a new season of what the fans will hope is a successful one. The groundwork is there, a couple more defeats could kill that off, so the experience of coach Ghotbi and his older heads will not want to lose this one, even if a win will not get them that 3rd place it will mean a lot in the long run, I feel. EXPECT a WIN for SHIMIZU S-PULSE!

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14:30 Vegalta Sendai vs Albirex Niigata at Yurtec – Sendai to send Albirex to J2?

Team News
Vegalta Sendai – MF Tamura is suspended. DF Uemoto is a long-term injury absentee.
Albirex Niigata – DF Murakami is suspended. GK HIgashiguchi and MF Uchida are out for the season, and more. Reserve GK Watanabe also out until next season at least!

Head to Head – 2 wins for Vegalta Sendai, 1 for Albirex Niigata, and 3 draws over six meetings since 2010 in J1 and the Nabisco Cup.

Match Preview – down to two games to go and everything to play for, for both of these teams today. A loss for Albirex Niigata will condemn them to relegation, while a loss for Vegalta Sendai may well give the title to Sanfrecce, depending on results on the day. It is no exaggeration to say that this game is vital at both ends of the table.
Vegalta have proved they can do without missing players, utilizing the depth they have and should not miss Tamura, especially if Sekiguchi is fit and raring to go. Albirex, on the other hand, have struggled to score goals andhave little choice up front to change it at this stage. The defence has been strong, considering their position, although goalkeeper injuries will not help them at this late stage. Even a win for Albirex guarantees nothing in regards to safety so an early goal will be key to boostng their confidence, if they score, or deflating it completely if they concede. EXPECT a WIN for VEGALTA SENDAI!

14:30 Nagoya Grampus vs Kashima Antlers at Toyota – Nagoya to Push Kashima Down into trouble!

Team News
Nagoya Grampus – DF Abe, FW Kennedy out injured, no suspensions.
Kashima Antlers – MF Ogasawara is suspended. MF/DF Yamamura is still out injured but back in training.

Head to Head – 14 wins for Kashima Antlers, 8 for Nagoya Grampus and just 2 draws in 24 meetings since 2003.

Match Preview – Kashima Antlers still need a point or two for safety, and, in fact, if they lose both of their final games and results elsewhere go against them, they could be in for a season in J2, so the Nabisco Cup winners have everything to play and may feel that pressure. The influential Ogasawa will be missed and his de facto replacement for the future, Yamamura is still out, also. An inconsistent midfield today?
Nagoya Grampus are another team with a lot to play for ad are in a good position to claim an ACL place for 2013, after such an inconsistent season. They will not ease off, in fact, will take pleasure in inflicting possible serious damage on perennial rivals. The WILL miss Kennedy up front but Nagai, Tamada and Kanazaki are more than a handful, if on form, and Tulio always seems to to come up with a goal at the right time! EXPECT a WIN for NAGOYA GRAMPUS!

14:30 Gamba Osaka vs FC Tokyo at Expo’70 – Gamba to Steamroller Tokyo!

Team News
Gamba Osaka – GK Kimura is back in training after a broken leg. DF Nakazawa and FW Kawanishi both back and fit, also after broken legs! DF Kaji out for the season. DF Iwashita is suspended.
FC Tokyo – after an injury hit season DF Hiramatsu and MF Otake – both long-term absentees are the the only two reported missing this week, no suspensions.

Head to Head – 7 wins for FC Tokyo, 6 for Gamba Osaka, and 4 draws – all in J1 – since 2003.

Match Preview – one of the games where just one team has anything left to play for . . . FC Tokyo are safe. but have missed their slim chance of CL qualification and went down to issel Kobe last week in a rain-affected farce and won’t be too motivated for this game. The fans will take e opportunity to have a go at Konno, who left them for Gamba but the players may find it hard to get too excited about this one?
Gamba Osaka are in a must-win situation, still in a relegation spot despite decent fecent form. Ardija and Vissel also won last week, when Gamba took out S-Pulse away, so it was a case of no change aroud. Gamba BUT the teams immediately above ose three winners all lost and now Cerezo, Antlers and even Jubilo are still in mathematical danger of going down, so Gamba Osaka will be buoyed by that, as if they needed any motivation. If Leandro acores another goal or two in this game and the next, and Gamba do stay up, surely the Brazilian striker is in with a shot at the MVP award? EXPECT a WIN for GAMBA OSAKA!

14:30 Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Cerezo Osaka at Hiroshima Big Arch – Hiroshima March On!

Team News
Sanfrecce Hiroshima – NO injuries reported by Sanfrecce, DF Chiba and MF Mikic are suspended.
Cerezo Osaka – Reporting injuries to MFs Yoshino and Maruhashi. FW Bando is suspended.

Head to Head – 6 wins apiece and 3 draws over a decade of meetings.

Match Preview – Sanfrecce Hiroshima know that a win could well give them the Championship with a game to spare, depending on the result at Vegalta and will be going all out to get that win in the hope that they don’t need to win on the final day (against Vissel Kobe, away, who are experts at saving themselves on the final day!). Sato will be gunning for the title of J1’s top goalscorer (and he has gone through the season without a single yellow card, too!) but will be without Mikic supplying the ammunition. There should still be enough talent in the Sanfrecce team to overcome an inconsistent Cerezo.

Cerezo Osaka capitulated last week and, indeed, have not won in four matches, although they have managed three draws. The team have confirmed that coach Culpi has accepted their offer and will be at the reins next season, even though he originally had to be dragged back after leaving once for a well-deserved break from football! Ironically, after the team’s good form convinced them to make the offer, now Cerezo find themselves still in need of some points to ensure safety and could still go down. Will they believe that scenario is possible and take this game seriously? One would hope so, but their inconsistency will tell and we can EXPECT a WIN for SANFRECCE HIROSHIMA!

14:30 Sagan Tosu vs Urawa Reds at Best Amenity – Tosu to Punish Reds Profligacy?

Team News
Sagan Tosu – MF Yeo out injured for the season, no suspensions.
Urawa Reds – DF Makino is suspended. DF Mizuta and MF Kashiwagi are doubtful, MF Naoki Yamada is in training but not match fit after six months out.

Head to Head – Reds won their league game this season, away, while Tosu won the Nabisco Cup match – the only two times these teams have ever met.

Match Preview – Sagan Tosu surprised all the critics with a fine start to their maiden J1 season but it looked as if the bubble had finally burst last month when they started to drift down the table. But they have confounded us all again with three wins in a row just when we thought they’d end up as mid-table also-rans on December 2nd. Those three winds, nine points have given them impetus going into the final two games and they are within two points of Urawa and Nagoya, with a better goal difference. Whatever happens in the next two matches, the fans will be happy and the club can look forward to a bright 2nd season in the top flight.

If Toyoda is firing on all cylinders and takes the chances created, and the home defence of Tosu is as strong as it has been, it will be tough for Urawa Reds who have dropped points all over during the last month and more. They no longer have a chance of the Championship and no their 3rd place – and a place in the ACL in 2013 – is under threat from Nagoya, Reysol and today’s opponents. It is the epitome of must-win for Reds, or they could see themselves dropping to 6th if results go against them elsewhere. But I don’t see any improvement up front (major signing needed for 2013) and EXPECT a WIN for SAGAN TOSU!

17:30 Consadole Sapporo vs Yokohama F.Marinos at Sapporo Dome – Surely Not Another Draw for Marinos?

Team News
Consadole Sapporo – DF KIm and FW Uchimura are suspended. DF Osanai is a new injury victim.
Yokohama F.Marinos – MF Tomisawa is suspended. No new injuries reported, MF Ogura is back in training.

Head to Head – 3 J1 wins for Yokohama F.Marinos, 1 Nabisco Cup win (in 2012) for Consadole Sapporo in four meetings in 2008 J1 and 2012 only.

Match Preview – Consadole Sapporo got a win the game after they were confirmed relegated, as if a sense of relief had allowed them to relax, but it didn’t last long and they are back as whipping boys, having shipped 11 goals in their last three defeats. They have now conceded 82 goals , or more than 2.5 per game and are earning the title of worst-ever J1 team. I can’t see them getting anything out of Yokohama F.Marinos, although the away team now have nothing left to play for after defeat by Kashiwa Reysol last time out left them out of the ACL running. Marinos have the equal best defence in the league (along with Sanfrecce and, surprisingly, Albirex!) but have trouble scoring . . . if Marquinhos get a few chances he’ll bury one, but Oguro and Yuji Ono are off-form and Marinos are suffering for it. Dare I say EXPECT a DRAW!?

17:30 Omiya Ardija vs Jubilo Iwata at NACK 5 – Jubilo to Get the Point They Need?

Team News
No injuries or suspensions reported for Omiya Ardija.
Jubilo Iwata still missing MF Matsuoka, and MF Baek reported as recovered but still doubtful to start.

Head to Head – 9 wins for Jubilo Iwata, 5 for Omiya Ardija, and 4 draws since 2005.

Match Preview – Omiya Ardija are unbeaten since late August, when they went down to Sendai, and the impressive run has come at just the right time to go some way to pulling them clear of relegation but there is still hard work ahead if they are to survive in J1. Away wins at Cerezo and Reysol recently, in between some creditable draws have kept pace with Gamba’s efforts, while pulling them away from Albirex in 17th place. Omiya’s fine form has dragged Vissel, Kashima and Cerezo into the dogfight and even Jubilo, today’s opponents, are not mathematically safe from relegation and need another point to be sure.

With a superior goal difference to most teams below them, Jubilo Iwata know that a single point from two games is enough for safety and they are also aware that they are completely out of the ACL reckoning now. I have a feeling that they will play for the draw and frustrate Ardija’s attack. At this stage of the season, Ardija might settle for a draw, also and while the likes of Cho and Higashi misfire, after promising so much, a draw is all they might expect. If Baek is still not fit for Jubilo they will be missing a midfield spark but if Maeda gets chance, especially on his head, he’ll bury it, and Ardija! EXPECT a DRAW!

Previews

J.League J1 Matchday 32 preview – 17:00 FC Tokyo vs Vissel Kobe at Ajinomoto

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17:00 FC Tokyo vs Vissel Kobe at Ajinomoto – Vissel to Win Valuable Points

Team News
FC Tokyo – DF Otake out long term, MF Hiramatsu out for the season.
Vissel Kobe – DFs Hayashi out for sure, Soma doubtful. FW Yoshida facing a fitness test. GK Tokushige not expected to return this week.

Head to Head
Vissel Kobe have suffered 10 defeats and managed just 6 draws, NO wins in 16 meetings since 2003.

Match Preview
If one is realistic, FC Tokyo are one of the few clubs with nothing left to play for this season. They are five points and 6 positions away from an ACL-qualifying spot, and one point safe from relegation with three games to play. They’ll be playing for nothing but pride and bragging rights – and to keep their unbelievable record against Kobe intact – no loss in their last 16 meetings! Their injuries are clearing up, but too late to have any positive effect this season. The cull has begun already with the announcement that on loan striker Edmilson will not be returning in 2013.

Vissel Kobe, on the other hand, need at least one win in their final matches, perhaps more, to overhaul Omiya Ardija, or stay away from Gamba and Albirex. Last week they fired coach Akira Nishino who, it is rumoured, had “lost the dressing room”. The desperation of recent seasons saw Vissel take vital points in the final games, indeed on the final day, and their experience in fighting the pressure will help. They ARE desperate and so will have so much more motivation that their opponents today. Add to that the “new coach” effect or, in this case, the players playing for the man who they all know so well – Adachi, who took over for a few games when Wada was released earlier in the season, also. He began his short caretaker career then with two wins – can he do it again? Yes, he can! EXPECT a WIN for VISSEL KOBE! Their first in three months!

In the Mix, Previews

J1 Preview Nov.7th 19.00 – Vissel Kobe vs Yokohama F. Marinos at Home's

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Team News
Vissel Kobe – DF Iwanami will miss the game on Japan U-19 duty. GK Tokushige and DF Hayashi definitely out. FW Ogawa is back in training, a possible selection. FW Yoshida and DF Soma undergoing fitness tests.
Yokohama F.Marinos – DF Amano is a long term absentee who is now back in training, but not yet fit?

Head to Head – 8 wins for Marinos, just 4 for Vissel and NINE draws in this fixture since 2003.

Match Preview – Vissel Kobe went through September with loss after loss – October is was draws galore, so November starts with a win? They are just three points above Gamba Osaka in the final relegation spot, and only five above Niigata one spot below. A win here would go a LONG way to ensuring safety in J1 and allow them to build on the fine young players that they have. Injuries and bad luck have plagued the team and they SHOULD be higher than they are. Relegation would not do them justice, and could well see them lose thee promise of the likes of Ogawa, Morioka and Inui, among others, as J1 teams snap them up.

Yokohama F.Marinos are in 7th position, five points off an ACL spot which must seem far away now but is much closer than it ever would have seemed after their dire start to the season. Rumours of Nakamura moving back to Celtic abound right now, and may unsettle the team, or give the fans something to attack the team with, and the promise of Yuji Ono in 2011 has completely disappeared this season. Just 38 goals in their 30 games so far has not been good enough, although their defence is the best in J1 up to now. more goals, more points, more confidence, they could be much higher – find a natural goalscorer and have a great 2013? For now, they have little to play for and may suffer in this game. EXPECT a WIN for VISSEL KOBE!

In the Mix, Reports

Kashima Antlers 1-2 Shimizu S-Pulse – from Afshin Ghotbi's Point of View

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Ahead of the J.League Yamazaki Nabisco Cup Final on Saturday S-Pulse were victorious in the home of their Cup Final opponents . . . here’s what the man himself, Afshin Ghotbi has to say . .

Taken from http://www.afshinghotbi.com

Another great result in a gutsy performance from our orange men secured an important three points. Inspired by earlier results around J1, we started sharply and were rewarded by an early goal in the 7th minute. Hiraoka sprang Yoshida free behind the Kashima defense, and his first touch found Kim Hyun Sung free in the danger area. Kim showed his class scoring from short range after taking three delicate and precise touches, blasting the ball high into the net from close range. Kashima came back into the game scoring off a corner kick in the 43rd minute. After Hiraoka got blocked, Iwamasa got free and his volley bounced off Sugiyama’s body, deflecting past Hayashi into our net. We reacted brilliantly to this setback by scoring immediately from the kick-off at the 44th minute. This time Kim became the provider, finding Omae’s head for the winning goal. With a one-goal lead, we defended well in the second half, weathering Kashima’s attacks and securing a deserved victory marking an undefeated month of October.

All the results favored us, and we are within seven points of the top spot and only one point off the ACL spot. With four games to go, our dream lives on.

We will face Kashima again in the final of the Nabisco Cup on Saturday November 3rd. Join me at Tokyo National Stadium and let’s make history together.

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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

JSoccer Magazine J1 Preview Sept.22nd, Matchday 26 – 18:00 Cerezo Osaka vs Shimizu S-Pulse at Kincho Stadium

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Cerezo Osaka – FW Nagai has left the club, on loan, to Perth in Australia. MF Sakemoto is out injured.
Shimizu S-Pulse – DF Yoshida out, FW Takagi working on a hamstring injury but very doubtful.

Five games since S-Pulse won this one, with 6 wins for Cerezo, 4 for S-Pulse and 5 draws since 2004.

Despite a win against Marinos in his first game back in charge, and a vital six-pointer in the next game against Albirex, Cerezo coach Culpi now knows what he is up against and he must be aware that the team could still be dragged down into the relegation mire, especially if Ardija and Gamba continue to pick up points. A home loss to Grampus last time out put paid to the Cerezo revival and with rumours sweeping the team of the likely departures of Ogihara and Yamaguchi – joining a long line of players who have moved on in the last year or two – it can only get worse for Cerezo if they do not win this match.

Shimizu S-Pulse will be disappointed that they didn’t get maximum points last week against FC Tokyo, a couple of extra points would have taken them up to 6th, within touching distance of the top 3, or even the top spot. It’s still not an impossible ask, but three points from these kinds of games are now a must if they are to continue their slow rise back up the table.
Genki Omae is back in the goals, and new signing Kim has contributed everything but a J.League goal so far, it is his time! Coach Afshin Ghotbi has cleared out some of the players who were not part of the philosophy and is blooding the youngsters, like Ishige, slowly but surely. EXPECT a WIN for SHIMIZU S-PULSE!