Abe and Reds Within Striking Distance

Urawa Reds have closed the gap on J League leaders Sanfrecce Hiroshima to just two points. Now in third place behind Vegalta Sendai and the aforementioned, the Reds' defeat of Shimizu S Pulse over the weekend sounded an ominous warning. They are the big club and they're coming to get them (I'm talking about Sendai and Hiroshima).

The Reds travelled to Shizuoka prefecture (west of Tokyo) for their round 23 clash with Shimizu S Pulse. Punters had the game as an even money bet with Shimizu winning their last three outings including the scalps of Hiroshima and Nagoya. Early on Reds defender Tsuboi was happy to turn in his own box and pass the ball into the path of danger man Takagi. Takagi's shot was parried by the keeper and danger averted. Soon after, the Reds displayed their speedy transition skills and Hirakawa's cross from the right was met by a sublime half volley from midfielder Tsukasa Umesaki. 1-nil after eleven minutes.

Australian Alex Brosque would soon be regretting pursuing Umesaki into the box, as his tackle which looked to be all ball, was ruled a foul. Brosque had stole in from behind to dispossess Umesaki at speed, but the Reds midfielder seemed to 'come a cropper' for unknown reasons, a sudden seizure which gave the impression Umesaki could suffer some serious whiplash. However, the little battler was up on his feet within moments to witness captain Abe slot the penalty comfortably. 2-nil after twenty minutes.

The 2nd half saw Shimizu do the majority of threatening with one comical moment early on involving Reds keeper Kato crawling around amongst a scrimmage of players at the six yard box. Eventually the ball was cleared and further danger only came via a free kick, and another chance for Takagi, who had to hit a bouncing ball from the edge of the box but only succeeded in finding a pretty young fan in row z. The Reds ran out 2-nil winners while playing deep throughout the 2nd half.

Making news at the top for all the wrong reasons this week were Hiroshima and Kashiwa. Hiroshima fell to FC Tokyo at home 1-nil. Kashiwa Reysol however, lost 3-nil and were leap frogged by opponents Jubilo Iwata. Kashiwa went down 1-nil in the 5th minute and were down a man from the 18th minute when regular defender Noaya Kondo was given a straight red. Jubilo with their all Japanese line up, including international Ryoichi Maeda weren't going to be stopped. Jubilo manager Hitoshi Morishita sang the praises of his men saying, "The fact that we went on to score a third shows just how much our team has grown." The comments were made in regards to a disallowed goal early in the 2nd half.

Ryoichi Maeda in action for Jubilo Iwata - J League 2012

Elsewhere Sendai made up valuable ground to be one point from the peak after coming home stronger then lowly Omiya Ardija. In relegation news Gamba Osaka look set to survive with a 7-2 victory over the weekend and Albirex Niigata also took three points against Kashima Antlers. Antlers will definitely be looking over their shoulders as those nearby all gained ground. The most successful club in the J League's history is in real danger of being dragged into the relegation fight.

Stay tuned next week as Albirex Niigata in 3rd last (relegation zone) face Cerezo Osaka who sit just two points above them. And with Jubilo Iwata at home to Hiroshima you know things at the top will continue to astound in the J League.

Drogba Does Shanghai

DIDIER DROGBA DELIGHTS IN SHANGHAI

Didier Drogba in action for Shanghai Shenhua

Didier Drogba has lit up the Chinese Super League over the last month. With many criticising the Ivory Coast international for ditching Europe and in their words chasing money Drogba has proved he's serious. In his four matches Drogba has scored 2 goals, albeit in the one match.

Shanghai recently put Hangzhou to the sword 5-1. On that night Drogba picked up his double, while classy new Columbian import Giovanni Moreno picked up his second goal in Shanghai colours and Aussie striker Joel Griffiths also picked up one. Shanghai certainly does have an international flavour and while it seems a tough ask (given the 9 point margin between them & ACL spots), it's every promoter's dream that this club makes its way back into the ACL as soon as possible. Can you imagine Drogba and co. arriving in Australia to take on Central Coast Mariners or Melbourne Victory? Can you imagine Drogba and co. arriving in Tokyo to take on Urawa Reds, or even heading over to Sendai?

There is no doubt these are exciting times in Asian soccer. We can only hope that the current political issues engulfing the area don't escalate to the point that they affect the world of sport, because at the moment the place is buzzing.

LEWDUB REFUSES TO RETRACT STATEMENTS

Yes the J League continues to bemuse and confuse, however, this blogger (LewDub) refuses to retract his statements about who will win the J League title. Yes, Urawa slipped up against mid table Kobe. Yes, Sendai slipped up against cellar dwellers Sapporo. Yes, Kashiwa Reysol could only manage a draw against FC Tokyo, but Sanfrecce Hiroshima were able to snare three points away to Omiya. The latter result emphasises my point in previous postings that of these four teams, not every one of them can slip up to the point that none of them win the title.

While Yokohama F Marinos have made up considerable ground to be six points off J League leaders Hiroshima. Now 14 matches undefeated, the Kanagawa team has certainly surprised many with their run, after looking more like relegation material earlier in the season. But being the student of probability that I am 14 matches undefeated also means defeat is getting closer. This week Yokohama play local rivals Kawasaki who themselves will still be holding on to dreams of an ACL spot as they sit just 4 points off automatic qualification.

Check out the highlights of Yokohama's most recent outing against Niigata:

DIDIER DROGBA DELIGHTS IN SHANGHAI

Urawa Reds Blow Vital Chance

URAWA DRAW A BLANK IN J LEAGUE 

With the J League title race into the home stretch the Urawa Reds wasted a golden opportunity to put themselves into the box seat. Top of the table Hiroshima and Sendai both slipped up with the latter failing to take anything from their clash with Shimizu S Pulse. However, it will be the Reds who are 'living a life of regret', after letting a 2-nil lead slip at home to FC Tokyo.

Urawa were set to make their presence well and truly felt at the top of the table when Brazilian Marcio Richardes put them ahead 2-nil in the 36th minute, but it wasn't to be. J League 2012 is the year of the undecided. This weekend the top four placed teams managed only three out of a possible twelve points. Thankfully for the Reds, Hiroshima relinquished a 1-nil lead over Shimizu to go down 2-1, suffering two goals in the last ten minutes of regulation time. In the north Kashiwa Reysol gave up their 1-nil lead to the resurgent Niigata. Amazingly the home team (Niigata) staying in touch with Kashiwa after going a man down in the 69th minute. Meanwhile Vegalta Sendai showed their usual grit in securing a draw with Yokohama F Marinos.

With F Marinos sitting back early Sendai had the better of the play. Captain Ryang Yong Gi strolled into the box on one occasion and blasted a right foot shot wide of the far post. Alas, the teams went to the break  0-0. In the 60th minute Uchiyama headed home from a corner to put Sendai into the driver's seat, but it didn't last for long. In the 65th minute Shunsuke Nakamura wound back the clock with a stunning shot from the edge of the box. The curling left footed missile could only be deflected into the far post by the flailing hand of keeper Hayashi. In the 70th minute F Marinos would take the lead via Kanai's stooping far post header. Amazingly Marquinhos wasted a chance one on one with the keeper, and yes, he and F Marinos would regret it. Wilson was the recipient of a perfectly lobbed ball by Ryang Yong Gi, this time his touch was precise and on entry to the 18 yard box drew an obvious foul from Kurihara. Penalty! The Brazilian made no mistake, and that was all she wrote. Final score 2-2.  

As a result Sendai sit atop the table and although many expect Sendai to falter this blogger begs to differ. While teams will show more respect (by that I mean, sit back and defend) for Sendai throughout the second half of the season, the fact that nobody has stood up and confirmed their intentions to take the J League title in any immutable fashion is enough for me to say Sendai can go all the way.

Enjoy the highlights of Vegalta Sendai and Yokohama F Marinos

Cahill Comments Evoke Anger in Oz

CAHILL LOSES FANS

Tim Cahill debuts for New York against Tottenham

Tim Cahill's time with Everton is over. The Aussie favourite has opted out of the club after a couple of disappointing seasons marred by injury. Everton chairman Bill Kenwright had nothing but positive words for Cahill after eight memorable years with 'the Toffees'. Unfortunately Cahill himself soured the move by making detrimental comments about the level of the A League (Australia's professional soccer league).

Cahill will join New York aged 32 and ready to re-launch his career in a lower profile league. The MLS has attracted the likes of David Beckham, Thierry Henry and Robbie Keane along with fostering talent such as Landon Donovan, Edson Buddle and most of the US team. Australian fans had faint hopes of the midfielder returning to Australia one day, but comments during his official New York unveiling revealed a disinterest in returning to the A League. "This is a massive move for me," he said. "Moving to the A-League would have been a step backwards. And that's no disrespect." Cahill added, "It's basically, I want to still play at a high level."

It wasn't long after those damaging comments that online forums in Australia went berserk. Vitriol filled remarks have suffocated the internet. FourFourTwo Australia & TheWorldGame were websites that were host to Cahill hating. Here is a taste of the public opinion:

OH Timmy, why didn't you just spout the "new challenge" line and not even mention the A-League, let alone say it is shit.
I just lost a little bit of respect for him. by El Toro


The MLS is a step down. He never wanted to come back to the A-league. He made out that the A-league was nowhere near the standard of the MLS and that the MLS wasn't a step down from the premier league. His comments make him seem delusional. by parraboi



Tim Cahill can go **** [removed by EastAsianSoccer] himself. And I mean that with no disrespect. Definitely lost a fan with that comment. by thupercoach



Wow didnt expect cahill so be such an arse after all the love aussies have given him over the years, both the MLS and HAL are a step backwards you money grabbing jerk. The standard between the two is not very big at all, so enjoy all the nutters in Amercia you douche. by MarkD



Harry comes back and tells everyone what a good league the A League is, Timmy does not come back and sticks the knife into the A League . Timmy and Pimmy have the same opinion and they overate their ability as a player and coach ! by peter1008


As far as I'm concerned this doesn't hurt Timmy's reputation or legacy, what it does do however, is illustrate just what a great thing Harry Kewell did for Australia football. To come home to a "football backwater" that is badly administrated and poorly paid, just for the kids of tomorrow.
by Mark


The general theme of comments from fans in Australia went as above. However, some did believe that Cahill was merely stating his opinion about the level of two leagues, and favouring the American version. Most soccer fans worldwide would agree the MLS is a stronger league than the A League, as do I. But when a player so revered in Australia comes out and makes such a statement, he does irreparable damage to the game, and despite his phrasing ("And that's no disrespect"), it is showing disrespect. 


One thing is certain in the aftermath of Cahill's comments. Tim Cahill will never been seen in the same 'bright and shining light' as before. It will be very interesting to be amongst Socceroos fans the next time he wears the green and gold.