ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW COMPLETED FOR 2016

The 2016 Asian Champions League draw has been completed though there are still many unknowns. On the East side including clubs from South Korea, Japan, China and Australia, there are some headline matches already penned in.

Asian Champions League Group Stage Draw 2016

In Group G Australia’s number one ranked team Melbourne Victory will line up against Suwon Samsung Bluewings of South Korea. Suwon finished second to a dominant Jeonbuk in the K-League but the Bluewings are one of the best supported clubs in South Korea.

In Group H reigning champions Guangzhou Evergrande will travel to Sydney. The Felip Scolari managed outfit are currently preparing for the Club World Cup in Japan, but from February 2016 they’ll be busy defending their Asian Champions League title. 

Asian Champions League Group Stage Draw 2016

The Group H draw will have Sydney FC manager Graham Arnold licking his lips. Arnold has proved himself consistently successful in Australia however, his foray into J-League management was a disaster. After leaving Central Coast Mariners as a champion Arnold took up a post at Vegalta Sendai, only to walk away from the role when senior players stonewalled any new policies he looked to implement. 

Meanwhile in Group E, Jeonbuk look to have been rewarded for their total dominance in the K-League. They’ve been drawn alongside China’s FA Cup winners Jiangsu Sainty, Vietnam’s Binh Duong and a play off winner from Thailand, Myanmar or Japan. 

Though on paper Jeonbuk’s draw looks a cake walk their have been rumours of Jiangsu Sainty going on an off season spending spree, which would likely make things a little more difficult. Also in Group E, there is a strong likelihood that Japan’s Gamba Osaka will join Jeonbuk, the team that eliminated them in the 2015 competition. 

Asian Champions League Group Stage Draw 2016

As Gamba Osaka are still alive in the Emperors Cup, they’re group draw cannot be finalised. Unfortunately, the J-League has everyone in the dark as to who is their 2nd, 3rd and 4th elected teams. 

Finally in Group F there are Sanfrecce Hiroshima, FC Seoul and Buriram United. Hiroshima were recently crowned champions of Japan after winning a two legged final against Gamba. The 'purple archers' will be looking to improve upon previous efforts, as will Thailand's Buriram who crashed out after an impressive start to the Group Stage in 2015. 

Asian Champions League Group Stage Draw 2016

Australia's Adelaide United will likely play China's Shandong Luneng in a play-off for the final position in Group F.

GAMBA OSAKA INTO FINALS AS FC TOKYO DRAWS A BLANK

Gamba Osaka has qualified for the 2016 Asian Champions League and resuscitated their J-League title hopes with a 4-0 drubbing of relegated Montedio Yamagata.

Gamba will now meet Urawa Reds next Saturday to decide who will challenge Sanfrecce Hiroshima over two legs to decide the J-League Champions.

On the final day of the regular season FC Tokyo were in position to qualify for the finals series but a draw with Sagan Tosu meant Gamba swept into 3rd place via a 4-0 win, and superior goal difference. The 'Gas Men' had set the league ablaze in the first stage with the assistance of striker Yoshinori Muto, but his departure to Germany left a void that could not be filled.

FC Tokyo dominated all the stats on the final day but couldn't find that precious goal. Once again Socceroo Nathan Burns was a spectator as the red and blue racked up eleven shots to five and ten corners to three.

On the other hand Gamba Osaka simply got the job done. Their first goal didn't come easy, but once the goal was breached, the floodgates crashed open. Kotaro Omori picked up his brace in the 61st and 63rd minute. A minute later Shun Nagasawa secured victory with a header, in only his third appearance for the club. Finally, defender Koki Yonekura drove a nail into the relegated Yamagata coffin with a fourth goal in the 66th minute.

Albirex Niigata fans filled the away end at Kashiwa. 

KASHIWA v NIIGATA

Meanwhile, in one of the many dead rubbers on final day, Kashiwa and Niigata played out a 1-1 draw. The northerners had come in large numbers to the nation's capital and Ibusuki's 81st minute equaliser was just reward for the fans and players alike.

Kashiwa had gone into cruise mode after an own goal had them ahead in the 24th minute. It was not until Ibusuki was shoved in the back and awarded a penalty that the 'Sun Kings' awoke from their slumber. They rallied late but there would be no winner. A result that summed up both teams' seasons.

Despite the draw and 15th placed finish, Niigata manager Masaaki Yanigishita left the club on good terms. Fans shouted his name and cheered as he returned from the dressing rooms for a solo cheerio to the loyal Albirex Niigata fans. Few will forget his arrival and saviour of the club in 2012, when he steered the club clear of relegation on the final day.

Masaaki Yanagishita watches over Niigata for the last time.

RELEGATION

The J-League will say goodbye to Shimizu S-Pulse this season. The J-League foundation club will be relegated to J2 for the first time in their history. After sacking Afshin Ghotbi last season, the team continued to use managers as scapegoats this year. Katsuki Oenoki was axed in August but there was no saving the Shizuokans.

Midfielder Takuya Honda gave this honest reflection, to the Japan Times, "We changed managers again this season, but if the players are good enough than it doesn't matter who the manager is."

Along with Shimzu S-Pulse, Matsumoto Yamaga and Montedio Yamagata will return to J2. The pair failed to cope with the standard of the Japanese top flight after promotion just this season. Though they struggled to keep pace with the playing standard, Matsumoto's fans were a definite highlight and it their green army will no doubt be back in J1 soon.

At this moment in time it's only Omiya Ardija who are assured of promotion from J2. Battling it out for the other automatic promotion place are Jubilo Iwata and Avispa Fukuoka. Scout out a live stream or online betting account to watch tomorrow's action unfold. 

JAPAN'S TWO STAGE SYSTEM DISCUSSED

This year the J-League has reverted to a two stage format to decide who is Japanese soccer's champion club side. A similar two stage system had been in place during the 90s and early 2000s, but the new system incorporates a convoluted mathematical process which determines if just 3 teams or a possible 5 teams contests the finals.  

Cutting through the many permutations, this year it appears there will be just three teams in the finals. Making up those teams will be Urawa (1st Stage winners), Hiroshima (likely 2nd Stage winners) and Gamba Osaka the likely 3rd placegetters in the regular season. Here, the term regular season applies to the full 34 matches rather than the 17 matches that constitutes a stage.

While many argue that an end of season finals series is an unfair way to decide a champion, East Asian Soccer disagrees. Most who are opponents of finals systems are caught up in nostalgic reminiscence of 'what football is meant to be.'

They argue that it's unfair on the team that slogged away all season and won the most matches. However, they're forgetting that all teams and players involved in competitions with end of season finals are aware at the beginning of the season, that the champion is not decided in a 'first past the post' manner. Unfair, maybe if you didn't read the rules. 

In 2015 the 1st Stage winner was Urawa Reds. We're now just two matches from the end of the 2nd Stage, and Hiroshima has a handy three point lead, buttressed by a superior goal difference over closest opponent Kashima. 

2015 J-League 2nd Stage Ladder with two matches to play.

Even if the unthinkable happened and Hiroshima failed to take three points from their last two matches (and Kashima won both or took four points), the 'purple archers' would still be involved in the finals series as the confusing system allows for 2nd and 3rd from the entire/regular season to participate in the finals also.

Looking at the regular season ladder, Sanfrecce Hiroshima are guaranteed a place in the finals, Kashima are not. The only route to the finals for Kashima is via a 2nd Stage winner ticket. The Antlers will need to take four points more than Hiroshima over the last two matches. 

2015 J-League Regular Season Ladder after 32 rounds.

2014 treble winners Gamba Osaka are far from assured a place in the finals either. Their only route to the finals is via a 3rd place finish on the regular season ladder. 

The Kansai club will have their work cut out for them, facing Hiroshima and Yamagata, while the chasing FC Tokyo meets Kashiwa and Sagan Tosu. 

Gamba will also be battling demons after recent losses in both the league cup and Asian Champions League against Kashima and Guangzhou Evergrande respectively. FC Tokyo could well collect all six points as opponents Kashiwa are resigned to a mid-table finish and Sagan Tosu are safe from relegation with nothing else to play for. 

All Round 33 fixtures kick off at 2pm Japan time. 

MARINERS ARRIVE IN JAPAN WITH BAG OF EXCUSES IN HAND

The little club that won't go away has arrived in Japan for Match Day 6 of their 2014 Asian Champions League tilt. As if on cue the Central Coast Mariners whinging and whining came wringing out of the post match press conference on Friday (18th April), after they downed the entertaining Adelaide United.

Moss consoles Hutchinson after ACL Match Day 5

Mariners manager Phil Moss teed off at FFA for scheduling their A-League semi-final on Saturday 26th April (rather than Sunday), giving the Gosford club a limited recovery period from their bout with Hiroshima tonight. "A 24-hour turnaround from flying in from an overnight flight to playing a grand final qualifier is not acceptable," the manager moaned. Moss looked to garner sympathy from the gathered media and the public as the broken record kicked into overdrive. Year after year of their annoying existence the Mariners have tried to play the 'little battler' card, and Moss has proven that like previous managers Lawrie McKinna and Graham Arnold he has a knack for building a siege mentality around his playing group.

For all the manager's bleating about the toughness of the draw, the situation could have been avoided if Central Coast had simply finished in the top two of the A-League. If they had, the Mariners would have been in the privileged position Western Sydney Wanderers found themselves in. Wanderers had a week off after the regular season, before going into their ACL clash with Guizhou Renhe fresh as daisies, and as expected routed the Chinese outfit 5-0.

As for the Mariners' hopes against Hiroshima I'd have to give them more than half a hope. After sitting in the stands for Hiroshima's visit to Niigata over the weekend and making a miracle turnaround to write this article within days, I saw nothing in the purple team's arsenal to scare Central Coast. Hiroshima played their usual 'cat and mouse' game hoping to catch Niigata on the break, but too often their transitions were broken down by the home team.

So tonight the moment of truth arrives for the Mariners in what will definitely be a cagey affair, with both teams likely to sit back and counter attack. Yes, there was no Hisato Sato and a home ground advantage for the Mariners last time the two met, but importantly tonight a draw will be enough for the Aussie club to advance to the Champions League Round of 16 provided FC Seoul draw or win at home against Beijing.

YOKOHAMA LOSE J-LEAGUE ON FINAL DAY

 

Yokohama have lost the J-League, after failing to win in their last two matches of the season. Yes, they were hacked by local rivals Kawasaki on the last day, but champion teams are not known for limping over the line. While Yokohama F-Marinos was losing over the last two rounds, Hiroshima was winning, and the defending champions would eventually leapfrog F-Marinos on final day drama that is 'run of the mill' stuff in the J-League.

Both Yokohama and Hiroshima faced teams playing for direct entry into the 2014 Asian Champions League. Worse for Yokohama was the fact that Kawasaki were local rivals and hardly the type to have their neighbours waltz off with the title on their turf (Todoroki Stadium). The home team had the J-League's top scorer in Yoshito Okubo (26 goals), but they wouldn't need him when some dodgy goalkeeping, and even dodgier adjudicating provided Kawasaki with the go ahead goal. Okubo's long range drive did float a little as it came in from the keeper's right side, but he batted away rather unconvincingly, and the ball bounced nearest to midfielder Ryota Oshima, who's obvious handball wasn't sighted by ageing ref Yuichi Nishimura. After that Oshima put the ball on a platter for Brazilian Renatinho and Kawasaki were away in the 53rd minute. Yokohama rarely threatened until the final five minutes when they had a glut of corners which they couldn't convert. Manager Higuchi was quoted on J-League Official saying, "We were all looking to round off the season with the title but didn't get it and that hurts." While he spoke further in a consolatory manner of his players, they will rue the day they put on a lackadaisical effort at home to Niigata with the title within reach.

Hiroshima's efforts were somewhat helped along by the cunning of 25 year old defender Tsukasa Shiotani. Hiroshima led the match 1-nil when Naoki Ishihara chipped over the keeper on the 35 minute mark. Takahagi's side-footed through ball for the striker was superb. But entering first half stoppage time defender Shiotani dribbled out from the back with Kashima striker Yuya Osako in tow. Unfortunately it seems Osako's fleet footed presence threw up a gust of wind, which knocked the defender off balance. The referee quickly pulled out his bright yellow card; Osako's second yellow, and gifted Hiroshima the three points. Sadly Hiroshima's last day heroics will be blighted by some poor adjudicating and memories of cunning. My sister once said to me the farce of soccer is that a seemingly strong, superbly balanced athlete can sometimes fall over his own feet, and at vital moments. She calls it diving; I've come to recognise it as one of the crafts of the game. Kudos to Shiotani for his ability to fool the officialdom.




And so Hiroshima were crowned J-League champions for the second year in a row. Hiroshima finished one point ahead of Yokohama and three ahead of Kawasaki. They will now contest the Emperor's Cup quarter finals on December 22nd. They're expected to get by Ventforet Kofu as are Yokohama expected to beat relegated Oita Trinita. In the other quarter finals Vegalta Sendai host FC Tokyo, while Sagan Tosu are at home to the rampant Kawasaki Frontale.

In 2014 the J-League will welcome back Gamba Osaka, Vissel Kobe and play-off winner Tokushima Vortis. Tokushima are the first team from the island of Shikoku to enter into J1. Good luck to them in 2014. Meanwhile, we bid farewell to Oita Trinita, Jubilo Iwata (amazing), and Shonan Bellmare.
 

J LEAGUE TITLE IN YOKOHAMA'S GRASP

With two rounds remaining in the J-League Yokohama F Marinos are now four points clear of nearest rivals Urawa Reds. On a day when the chasing pack imploded, Yokohama toughed out a win in Shizuoka prefecture, against relegated Jubilo Iwata. It wasn't pretty but the Tri-Colours showed some champion qualities by winning while not playing 'champagne football'.

The stats tell of Yokohama's dominance but the action wasn't something that JFA will be airing in its promos for the J-League. Yokohama ended the match with 13 shots over Jubilo's 2, and a dominant 13 corners to Jubilo's 4. It was from a second half corner that the winning goal was scored. Nakamura, slightly off colour in his overall performance, sent in a corner which evaded any contact from defender or attacker as bounced inside the box. The loose ball drew an attempted smother by the Jubilo keeper and like the soccer gods had whispered something in his ear, Yuji 'Bomber' Nakazawa arrived on the scene at speed belying his age. He cleaned up the keepers scraps and made it 1-nil to Yokohama in the 69th minute. The remainder of the match saw Jubilo throw more men forward in pursuit of an equaliser, (which would not save them from relegation anyway - their fate is sealed) but it was offset by the occasional counter from Yokohama, primarily down the left through youngster Manabu Saito. F-Marinos would run out 1-nil winners with a late goal line clearance to regale about in the dressing room.

Meanwhile, Urawa Reds and Sanfrecce Hiroshima slipped up at a vital stage of the J-League. The Reds failed at home to the 'in form' Kawasaki Frontale (5 from last 6 J-League matches) while Hiroshima couldn't get past Cerezo Osaka. Brazilian Fabio Simplicio was the sole goal scorer at Kincho Stadium in Osaka, and he's put the pink half of Osaka in with a real shout of an ACL position. The Reds were unable to halt the march of Kawasaki who are also eying a place in the ACL. Kawasaki hit the front early via their Brazilian (it's a mandatory requirement) Jeci in the 12th minute. The Kanagawa side would retain that lead until Reds defender Makino thrust himself into the spotlight. Makino levelled the scores in the 57th minute, only to turn from hero to zero in two minutes. The defender was responsible for an own goal which restored Kawasaki's lead. In the dying stages Urawa had a number of corners and that man again, Makino would be involved. The defender was taken by surprise when a ball was deflected into in his path at chest height, inside the six yard box. He seemed frozen - cemented to the ground. The ball bounced off his chest aimlessly, soon after Kawasaki were off on a counter and it was the reliable Yoshito Okubo who drove the nail into Urawa's J-League coffins.

So with two rounds to go in the J-League, it's down to four teams. Cerezo Osaka will require Yokohama to lose both their matches, and hope for Hiroshima to slip up against Kashima, while they can beat Urawa on the last day to go ahead of them. Forget about Kashima. Although they face two teams above them, their goal difference is inferior by 12 to Yokohama's and though I love an equation, I can't see Yokohama going backward by six goals and Kashima forward by six. Of the chasing pack the best placed is Hiroshima. They have a 'gimme' of a match against relegated Shonan and a final round fixture against Kashima. In Hiroshima's favour is their goal difference of +19 just two inferior to Yokohama. Those two goals would be made up by virtue of their winning and Yokohama's losing over the last two rounds. It's all speculation at this stage, but no one would argue that Yokohama currently sit in the most enviable position. Their fate is own their own hands.   

F MARINOS TOP THE J LEAGUE

On Saturday afternoon Yokohama F Marinos regained the lead of the J League after downing Sanfrecce Hiroshima. The weekend was a top of the table showdown with one playing two, and three playing four. All four teams still remain in contention for the J League title, but it was F Marinos and Urawa Reds who took full advantage.

At Nissan Stadium, Yokohama and Hiroshima played a mostly dour first half with few opportunities. For Hiroshima Yojiro Takahagi proved the most threatening with two shots on goal denied by Yokohama keeper Enamoto. Yokohama's best chance of the half came and went when Shunsuke Nakamura made the mystifying decision to pass to his right rather than left where marksman Marquinhos lay in wait, bearing down on goal.

But the two teams would be separated by a piece of individual brilliance provided by youngster Manabu Saito. The left sided midfielder snaked his way past a number of defenders, to find himself in the box within shooting range. Saito let fly with an unstoppable shot into the left side of goal. It sent the 39,000 plus Yokohama fans into raptures, and it was enough for the Tri Colours to regain the lead of the J League. After the match Saito was quoted by the Japan Times saying, "Since we played Urawa Reds in the league (Aug 28) I haven't been able to play as well as I would have liked . . ." The 22 year old has enjoyed a stunning season and it wouldn't be surprising if he was the next J League star to be stolen away by the European leagues.

In the other big match of the round Urawa travelled to Kashima and took all three points. The Reds appearing in their repugnant green-blue kit went ahead after 20 minutes, when defender Daisuke Nasu headed home a corner. The second goal came via a long range strike by star Genki Haraguchi. Admittedly Haraguchi was the recipient of some woeful goalkeeping. Yuya Osako gave the home team and their 30,000 plus fans some hope in the 87th minute, after sloppy defending allowed him a shot on goal which he duly gave some violence. The match ended 2-1 and now the J League heads into its last five matches with six points separating the top five teams.

Cerezo Osaka have now joined the race for the title albeit as outsiders. They sit six points from Yokohama, but in their favour Cerezo will play three of the teams they're chasing in Hiroshima, Kashima, and Urawa. Next week: Hiroshima host Vegalta Sendai, Kashima host Kawasaki Frontale, Urawa are at home to Kashiwa Reysol, while Yokohama travel to relegated Oita, and Cerezo Osaka also travel to the island of Kyushu to face Sagan Tosu.

J LEAGUE TITLE FIGHT ANOTHER HUM-DINGER

It's a promoter's dream. Title defending Sanfrecce Hiroshima top the table on account of their superior goal difference. Within striking distance are three J League teams of undoubted marquee-edness (it's a new word). Yokohama F Marinos are level on points but trailing by one goal, Urawa Reds are within two points of leaders Hiroshima, and three points from the summit are all time champions Kashima Antlers. 

On September 13th, 2013 I made one of my boldest and dumbest J League predictions yet. Anticipating Yokohama's experienced campaigners Marquinhos and Nakamura would steer the team toward title security, I twat (that's past tense for tweet), "Looking at draw, FMarinos should get 12 points from next four matches." Yokohama managed six points from the available twelve. The first two games saw F Marinos take four points at home against Cerezo Osaka and Shimizu S Pulse. But the nervous shakes become full blown yips when they slipped at Ventforet Kofu on the weekend. Yokohama snared a point at Sendai and that was acceptable, but the debacle at Kofu could cost them the title.

The game ended in a 0-0 stalemate with Yokohama banging on the door over the last fifteen minutes, only for usually cool heads to blunder in front of goal. Shunsuke Nakamura was kept out of the game by a clogged midfield, reinforced by Kofu's five strong back-line. It was left to 23 year old Manabu Saito to inspire the team late in the game. The midfielder pounced on a poor pass and provided a 'room service' cross for striker Fujita. He missed! Soon Saito lobbed a ball from his native left side, which was half shot, and half cross. Brazilian Marquinhos flew threw the air like a flightless bird. He just couldn't meet the ball. It was inside the last ten minutes and Yokohama had begun to dominate proceedings, but for the occasional counter from Kofu. Finally in injury time a breakaway saw Saito feed the ball to Fujita who found himself one on one with the goalkeeper. His shot was smothered but the ball deflected into the path of Saito. The midfielder volleyed the bouncing ball downward but couldn't beat the relegation threatened Kofu keeper.

Meanwhile, Hiroshima have been 'making hay' with three wins from their last three outings. Although their opponents aren't the J League's most feared teams, neither were those that Yokohama faced. Hiroshima dispatched the usually stubborn Niigata 2-nil, they travelled to Kyushu and took care of Sagan Tosu 2-nil, and rounded things off with a flattering 3-1 win at home against Shimizu. Hiroshima showed champion qualities in their most recent outing. They went behind 1-nil after 71 minutes but fought back to win and regain the J League's top spot. Their next J League outing sees them face top of the table rivals Yokohama F Marinos on Saturday, 19th October.

In another fixture list convenience 3rd placed Urawa Reds travel to Kashima to take on 4th placed Antlers. Kashima Antlers are the J League's most successful club, having won seven titles since the league formed in 1993. At their most recent outing Kashima swept nearby Tokyo aside 4-1. The rout began in the 7th minute with a long range shot from Yasushi Endo, next it was Davi off the outside of his left foot in the 9th minute. 34 year old defender Ogasawara got on the score sheet with a hammering drive as the Tokyo defence continued to retreat. Rounding it off was hot prospect Yuya Osako with his goal in the 81st minute.

The Antlers have history and momentum on their side, with six wins from their last eight matches. Also on their side is the stuttering form of the three front-runners. This prompted soccer writer Chris Coll to say of the J League, "Seems like the league no one wants to win sometimes." We agree, but maybe over the last two months we've seen someone stand up and say they want to win. There are six games remaining and amongst them Kashima face both Urawa and Hiroshima. On December 7th, Kashima host Hiroshima on the last day of the season. Could this be the title decider?

URAWA MAKE GROUND ON J LEAGUE LEADERS

J League big guns Urawa Reds faced up to Afshin Ghotbi's Shimizu S Pulse over the weekend and returned to their Saitama home with three points. This was a feat which proved too difficult for the two teams above the Reds. Yokohama F Marinos slipped up at Kashima, while Hiroshima managed a draw at Oita.

Yousuke Kashiwagi put the Reds in front with a skillful goal in the 7th minute. The midfielder found himself in the box when a lobbed pass was sent in. Kashiwagi raced free of the back four, before chesting the ball down and sending it packing. In the 28th minute Shinzo Koroki put the visitors further in front with a typical counter attacking goal. Urawa ran out 2-nil winners and now sit just one point off leaders Hiroshima and Yokohama.

Yokohama came unstuck at Kashima after leading 1-nil at half time. F Marinos went ahead when Marquinhos got on the end of Shunsuke Nakamura's through ball in the 19th minute. It seemed like F Marinos were heading for another three points as young midfielder Manabu Saito began to influence matters. Nevertheless, Kashima stole away with the three points after Yuya Osako turned veteran defender Nakazawa inside out on two occasions. Osako who scored two times in the East Asian Cup has put Kashima in fourth place, just six points from the summit.

Meanwhile leaders Sanfrecce Hiroshima battled to a draw against strugglers Oita Trinita. Lucas Neill's J League career got off to a disappointing start after playing just 13 minutes of Omiya Ardija's loss to Kashiwa Reysol. The 'sun kings' from Kashiwa are still alive in the ACL, but the juggling act of J League and continental soccer, has affected their consistency. However, nothing could spare Omiya as Kashiwa made the most of some woeful keeping for the first goal, and doubly woeful defending for the second. Kashiwa ran out 3-2 victors after Omiya fought back to level the scores, before succumbing to some more sloppy goalkeeping.

The J League continues on Wednesday 28th August with a blockbuster clash at Yokohama, where they host Urawa. Hiroshima travel to battling Ventforet Kofu, Omiya are in nearby Kawasaki, while Kashima get a chance to climb closer to the top when they commute to Shimuzu.

F MARINOS ON HUNT FOR HIROSHIMA

Yokohama F Marinos have knocked off J League strugglers Sagan Tosu overnight, to further reinforce their credentials for the J League title. While the pink shirted Tosu side are in a relegation battle, Yokohama didn't have it all their way.
The evergreen Shunsuke Nakamura put the Tri-colours in front in the 23rd minute, but Tosu didn't go away. With plenty to play for Sagan Tosu were able to jag a goal in the 56th minute. A draw would be as good as a win for Tosu as they are only one point above the relegation positions, currently filled by Shonan Bellmare, Jubilo Iwata, and Oita Trinita. But not to be outdone by his fellow elder statesman, F Marinos striker Marquinhos provided an acrobatic winner to take his team just one point from the summit. Be sure to catch that goal on youtube.

Shunsuke Nakamura

All the more pleasing for F Marinos is the fact they did this without 23 year old Manabu Saito. Most would agree the youngster's days in the J League are numbered, and the marquee leagues of Europe beckon. Along with Saito's stunning season and cache of fab-goals, F Marinos have profited off a resurgent Shunsuke Nakamura. The dead ball specialist has been much more significant then in previous seasons since his return from Europe. At 35 he is loving every minute and it isn't too far fetched to say that maybe, just maybe, the local boy could bring the title to Yokohama once again. The last time Yokohama captured the title was in 2004, in the era of the two stage season.

Elsewhere, competition leaders Hiroshima kept on their winning way with a victory over Jubilo Iwata. Hisato Sato was once again on the scoreboard in a 2-1 win. At the top end of the table Urawa slipped up against improving Nagoya Grampus. Aussie Josh Kennedy again proved a thorn in the side of J League defenders, picking up the second in a 2-nil win at home. In the other significant fixture at the top, Omiya Ardija fell further from grace, and back to the reality their tortured fans know. Cerezo Osaka put the cleaners through the home team, with Europe bound Yoichiro Kakitani grabbing two goals, in a 3-nil win.

Next week Hiroshima host Nagoya Grampus who have now strung together five wins in a row. Third placed Urawa at home to also-rans Oita Trinita, while Yokohama F Marinos take a short trip to the capital to face inconsistent FC Tokyo.

Yoichiro Kakitani inflicts pain upon Omiya Ardija

 

WANDERERS ONE YEAR ON: WHAT NEXT?

Mark Bridge, Tarek Elrich (foreground) Wanderers unveil

On April 4th, 2012 Ben Buckley fronted a Football Federation Australia press conference with the news that a second Sydney team would be coming to the A-League. Soon after a number of fan forums were held across western Sydney, in a bid to engage with a possible fan base. Pivotal to the club's on-field success was the May 12, 2012 appointment of manager Tony Popovic. By June 25th, 2012 it was official: The Western Sydney Wanderers had been born. 

Western Sydney Wanderers went on to achieve a record breaking season, which included winning the Premiers Plate and qualifying for the 2014 Asian Champions League. So successful is the club that current owners 'the FFA', have stated that potential buyers are going to have to bid around A$15 million for ownership. FFA CEO David Gallop said, "It wouldn't be overstating it to say they're the sporting club with the most potential in the whole country . . ."

Club sponsors for the inaugural season wouldn't have anticipated the massive exposure the club gained. Considering Wests had failed after three matches to score a goal in professional competition, club backers could easily have feared the worst, but gradually results came. Local boy and manager Tony Popovic remained stoic in the face of the storm, something which characterised his playing career. "There are no favourites here, no set individuals guaranteed a place, but we're one unit with a goal to keep improving," Popovic said after a 1-1 draw away to Perth Glory in round 13. Popovic's playing career took him to Japan's Sanfrecce Hiroshima in 1997 and onto Crystal Palace in 2001. For this reason it was no surprise that 'Poppa' was able to snare Japanese ace Shinji Ono amongst a host of other foreign signings. A cult favourite was unheralded Ethiopian Youssouf Hersi who was spotted in the Dutch Eredivisie. 

The club's timeline is a miraculous story of success and needs to be seen to be believed:

April 4th, 2012: New Sydney club announced. 
April 19th, 2012: East Asian Soccer covers the story and predicts WSW to become, "the club in Australian soccer." 
June 25th, 2012: Club name and colours officially announced.
July 26th, 2012: Major sponsor NRMA Insurance announced.
September 21st, 2012: Former Socceroos team-mate of Popovic, Michael Beauchamp named club captain. 
September 28th, 2012: Shinji Ono signs as marquee player.
October 6th, 2012: First competition match against Central Coast Mariners ends 0-0 in front of 10458 fans.
October 20th, 2012: First Sydney derby with Sydney FC winning 1-nil at Parramatta Stadium.
October 27th 2012: First win comes against reigning champions Brisbane Roar, in Brisbane.
December 15th, 2012: Wanderers defeat Sydney FC 2-nil in Sydney derby at Sydney Football Stadium in front of 26176 fans.
March 2nd, 2013: Ascent to top of table is completed with victory over Central Coast at Gosford.
March 29th, 2013: Win Premiers Plate in front of massive travelling contingent at Newcastle.
April 21st, 2013: Grand Final appearance brings a taste of defeat via A-League's famed chokers Central Coast Mariners. 

What next for a club that achieved so much in its inaugural season? With Popovic's perfectionist attitude you can bet the title of Champions is uppermost on the club's list of targets. There is also the small matter of the Asian Champions League, which will place the club, the western Sydney region, and sponsors in the spotlight of Asia. The prospect of a clash between Ono's former J-League club Urawa Reds, and Western Sydney Wanderers is mouth watering. Will the club meddle with the eye catching red and black playing strip that has broken merchandise sales records across all sporting codes in Australia? Can the club better it's first season membership numbers (just over 7000) and increase crowd averages? Already the club has signed A-League journey man Dean Heffernan. The defender will look to feature from the first clash which comes on Saturday, October 12th, at Gosford.

Wests with the 2012/13 Premiers Plate

"This is a sponsored post but my opinions are my own."

Sendai Stagnant in J League Opener

Wilson of Sendai carries a heavy burden

After their round one clash with Ventrofet Kofu the message for Vegalta Sendai should be, you can't go forward by standing still. Clearly though, Sendai have not made any significant changes to tactics and obviously squad members.

The men in yellow and blue are still led by the irrepressible Ryang Yong Gi, but the graft and sheer perseverance of 2012 won't be enough this season. Sendai were able to go ahead early in the second half via a set piece. The headed goal for Watanabe came in the 49th minute, and unfortunately for the home team it only served as a message to sit back and play opportunistic soccer. Relying as they did last year on transitional play, Sendai's best moments came from crosses which were either headed astray or missed altogether.

Momentum changed after the goal and the newly promoted Kofu suddenly showed why they were comprehensive winners of J2. The visitors were very impressive down the right side, and 25 year old Yoshifumi Kashiwa should be a thorn in the side of any J1 side this year. Kashiwa showed some speed and trickery and was whipping balls into the box on a regular basis. Kofu levelled in the 73rd minute via Brazilian Hugo. It was nothing less than they deserved as the Yamanashi prefecture side began to click and ooze midfield cohesion.

The 1-1 full time scoreline was a better result for Ventrofet Kofu for obvious reasons, but scenes don't augur well for Vegalta Sendai. Manager Teguramori said of his team's playing style (earlier in the week), "I'm going to vary our play widely, but it's sometimes dangerous in the Champions League if we stick to it." Most people wouldn't notice any difference in their style in both competitions. It's all about seizing on the errors of opponents and working hard. Sendai will need more if they're to repeat last year's second placed finish.

We have an ideal style to fight in the J-League, but it’s sometimes dangerous in the Champions League if we stick to it - See more at: http://www.japantoday.com/category/sports/view/j-league-rollercoaster-rumbles-into-action#sthash.SNujb8rP.dpuf

I’m going to vary our play widely. We have an ideal style to fight in the J-League, but it’s sometimes dangerous in the Champions League if we stick to it. We need to show our (different) style for the Champions League, - See more at: http://www.japantoday.com/category/sports/view/j-league-rollercoaster-rumbles-into-action#sthash.SNujb8rP.dpuf

“I’m going to vary our play widely. We have an ideal style to fight in the J-League, but it’s sometimes dangerous in the Champions League if we stick to it. We need to show our (different) style for the Champions League,” - See more at: http://www.japantoday.com/category/sports/view/j-league-rollercoaster-rumbles-into-action#sthash.SNujb8rP.dpufSurely they can't rely on the lackadaisical Wilson to snare goals on the break this season.

Meanwhile, defending champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima went down to Urawa Reds 2-1 while at home. The setback comes after Hiroshima were upset in the ACL by Uzbek giants Bunyodkor. Urawa midfielder Yousuke Kashiwagi got scoring underway in the 38th minute, while classy forward Genki Haraguchi made it 2-nil after 51 minutes. It was too big a mountain for the home side to climb. In other results Yokohama F Marinos came from behind to win 4-2 against newcomers Shonan Bellmare, while Nagoya drew with Jubilo Iwata after taking an early lead at home. In the Saturday evening clash FC Tokyo travelled to Oita to take three points off the newly promoted Kyushu outfit.

Urawa Reds in celebration mode.

Next week all eyes will be on Saitama Stadium as Urawa host Nagoya Grampus, while Shimizu S Pulse host Yokohama F Marinos.

Niigata Faithful Get The Miracle They Deserve

MIRACLE IN NIIGATA

Bruno Lopes centre stage during J1 survival celebrations

On J League 2012 final day Albirex Niigata came from the dead to save their J1 lives. Winning against the woeful Consadole Sapporo 4-1 in front of 28055 loyal fans wasn't enough. Niigata also needed results to go their way on the final day. Amazingly Gamba Osaka lost 2-1 to Jubilo Iwata while Vissel Kobe fell to champions Hiroshima 1-0.

Braving 3-5 degrees weather and torrential rain, fans at Big Swan Stadium didn't have to wait long before seeing goals for the locals. In the 8th minute a long, high ball floated into the box and Sapporo failed to defend it adequately. Defender Shusuke Tsubouchi was loitering in the nose bleed section and simply swiveled and shot. Next up Bruno Lopes angled a header home after a corner was poorly defended. Niigata went to the break 2-nil up and in position to remain in J1 due to Kobe and Hiroshima being tied at 0-0 while Gamba Osaka were 0-1 away to Jubilo Iwata. But nobody was celebrating at this stage.

It wasn't long before Niigata fans were placed back on the precipice of elimination. In the 53rd minute 19 year old Shota Sakaki got on the end of a through ball and punished the locals bringing the deficit back to one goal. At the very same moment Sapporo scored, Gamba Osaka levelled at Iwata and the Niigata faithful were truly being forced to consider a life outside J1. Realists would be saying 'I told you so' and besides, Jubilo Iwata had nothing to play for. Fortunately this bad news was fused with some good. Hiroshima had gone ahead in Kobe in the 52nd minute. Scores remained the same at all grounds until Niigata's Alan Miniero smashed a rocket past the Sapporo keeper from around 30 metres out. The Brazilian shimmied and stepped over to put an opposing defender into blur, shaking him enough to create room for launch. Bang! The back of the net rippled and Niigata's rabid fans were in raptures. The orange had done their job, now it was all in the hands of the gods.

Kobe couldn't find a way back against the champions, meanwhile Endo netted for Gamba Osaka only to be ruled offside. But in the 85th minute despite continued raids on the Jubilo Iwata goal it was Iwata who scored via Yuki Kobayashi. Niigata fans could celebrate this goal like one of their own. And after the great escape much thanks should be heaped on manager Masaaki Yanagishita who took over mid season and turned Niigata into a team that were simply hard to beat. Yanagishita went back to basics and ensured that scoring against Niigata was difficult and just like other teams lacking star signings like Sagan Tosu they experienced some success, enough success to survive the drop.

Albirex Niigata fans greet their heroes before kick off

Elsewhere Urawa Reds rescued there ACL ticket by downing a Nagoya Grampus who simply weren't worthy of a top 3 placing. The Reds were also aided by Yokohama's defeat of Sagan Tosu. Tosu from Kyushu will be joined by another of their west Japan rivals in J1 next season with Oita Trinita winning their way into the J League via the first ever J1 promotion play-off a fortnight ago.

Stayed tuned over the coming weeks with more news from Japanese soccer via the Emperors Cup which offers a place in the ACL to the winner.

HIROSHIMA TAKE J LEAGUE TITLE

J LEAGUE TITLE FOR HIROSHIMA

In front their home fans Sanfrecce Hiroshima walked away with the 2012 J League title. With one round remaining in the J League the purple archers secured the title due to their own comprehensive 4-1 victory over Cerezo Osaka and the failing of Vegalta Sendai who slipped up to relegation resitance men Albirex Niigata.

Hiroshima were able to waltz away with the three points yesterday when Cerezo were reduced to 10 man after a controversial penalty decision. Already leading 2-nil Hiroshima didn`t need any favours but were happy to accept when one came their way (as any self respecting professional would). In the 40th minute midfielder Kohei Shimizu was fed a great through ball into the box but knowing a contest for possession was about to ensue Shimizu veered toward his opponent and upon contact fell to the ground as if hit by a truck. And that was all she wrote as J League topscorer Hisato Sato stepped up to convert from the spot.

Hiroshima manager Hajime Moriyasu appeared humble in accepting the title along with the players. Moriyasu said "I took over for a great manager and I admit there was some pressure following in his footsteps . . ." He went on to dedicate the title to current Urawa Reds manager Mihailo Pietrovic who Moriyasu says, laid the foundations at the club over six years. Champion striker Hisato Sato was typically humble as well saying, "This has happened because of all the fans that came to the stadium and watched us on television." The striker was even apologetic when he referred to the team`s brand of soccer.

Meanwhile the race for an ACL spot has exploded. There are five teams battling for the final J League offered ACL entry ticket. Sagan Tosu have shocked all by putting themselves at the forefront of the race with their shock win over Urawa. The Reds look desperately in need of an injection of hardness after falling short in the last month against teams they were expected to beat (Kawasaki Frontale 2-4, Cerezo Osaka 0-0). Urawa will host Nagoya at home in Saitama but both teams will be hanging on the result of the Sagan Tosu v Yokohama F Marinos match. Incredibly F Marinos could possibly steal away with the ACL spot on goal difference despite being 3 points adrift of Sagan Tosu. Perhaps the best placed team though is Kashiwa who face Kashima Antlers who have nothing to play for. For Kashiwa a win is enough provided that Urawa don`t win by a landslide five goal margin and Sagan Tosu get anything but a win against Yokohama.

All that is decided December 1st with kick off of all matches at 3:30pm Japan time. Don`t forget the relegation battle involving Niigata 37, Gamba 38, Kobe 39 and Cerezo Osaka 41. Two teams must be deleted from J1 existence with Consodole Sapporo already condemned. It would truly be a miracle for Niigata or Gamba to scrape out of relegation having been sat in the bottom three for the majority of the season, but in Niigata`s favour is the fact they face Consadole. Give them the three points now. Just like Gamba their fate rests in the hands of the football gods.

KOBE THE PLACE TO BE ON FINAL DAY

Ryang Yong Gi

SENDAI AND HIROSHIMA GOING DOWN TO THE WIRE

Promoters are salivating. Again! Last season the J League title came down to the last day of the season with three teams in the running on the final day (Kashiwa, Nagoya, G Osaka). This year we're three rounds out from the finish line and Hiroshima sit atop the table on 58 with Sendai in second on 56 points.

Looking at the draw it appears Hiroshima will have their toughest test of the remainder of the season this Saturday. They face an ailing Urawa Reds who are now fighting to snare the last of the ACL positions provided by the J League (the 4th to Emperors Cup winner). The team in purple will then face Cerezo Osaka and on the final day it's off to Kobe. This final match against Kobe is the proverbial banana skin as Kobe are expected to be fighting for J1 survival on the final day. The team from the town famous for beef product in Japan (wagyu) is currently two points clear of both Gamba Osaka and Albirex Niigata, who are 3rd last and 2nd last (relegation positions). There will be plenty of motivation for Kobe on final day.

Meanwhile, Sendai face Kashima this weekend who are basking in the glory of their Nabisco Cup win and will probably be under the false pretense that they are safe of the relegation dog fight. In the penultimate round Sendai face their own banana skin, playing at home to Niigata. On the final day Sendai will travel to FC Tokyo who will have nothing to play for other than impressing the boss. Overall things are tilted slightly in the favour of the underdog and I make no secret of the fact I'd love to see them take the J League title.

The relegation battle continues provide to mystique and misery. Kobe are currently survivors on 36 points while Omiya still aren't safe on 37 points despite their draw with Niigata and an upset victory against Kashiwa in recent weeks. In Omiya's favour is the fact two of their opponents (Cerezo and Jubilo) are safe and have no ACL or title aspirations either. We can virtually call the Squirrels safe. However, Kashima Antlers (39 pts) aren't safe. This weekend they face Sendai, which all things running to schedule will see the yellow team collect three points. Next week they will face Nagoya who are in the midst of the ACL battle with four other teams. But sparingly they are at home to Kashiwa on the last day who shouldn't have any special motivation.

Yasuhito Endo - Gamba Osaka

So this weekend we get a little closer to finding out who will take out the J1, who will secure an ACL spot and who can still call the J1 home. Can you imagine Gamba Osaka and Yasuhito Endo being relegated? 

NEWS BURST

Sendai in training 

SENDAI AND REDS IN VITAL J LEAGUE CLASH

Urawa Reds today face the neutral's favourite Vegalta Sendai in a bid to stay in the title race. With six matches to play (including today), the Reds cannot afford to let competition leaders Hiroshima get any further than the current six points clear.

Travelling to Vegalta's Yurtec Stadium should suit the Reds as they've made a habit of scoring on the counter this season. The locals though, have got leaders Hiroshima within grasp and they too won't be wanting to see any further distance between them and the top. Vegalta as already mentioned on this blog are the team who have scaled Fuji in order to be where they are. The Sendai region was at the centre of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster and many saw there performance last year (4th in J League) as 'flash in the pan' stuff. But they're back this year and in the race for the title.

This week competition leaders Hiroshima are at home to the enigmatic Kashiwa Reysol. They should get the money there but you never know with Leandro Domingues playing for the Sun Kings. Domingues has a record for shooting on suspicion and it's proved pretty successful for the Brazilian who was topscorer in last season's J League when Kashiwa took out the title.

A LEAGUE'S SYDNEY DERBY

Australia's A League is now into the third round of the season and this week sees the first of the seven year old professional league's Sydney derbies. Highly anticipated the match sees the clash of marquee players Shinji Ono of Western Sydney Wanderers, and Alessandro Del Pierro of Sydney FC.

Ono was quick to mention his eagerness to face Del Piero upon arrival in Sydney and tonight his team which represents the blue collar, working class population of the country's biggest city are set to make life tough for the 'latte set'.

Sydney has a long history of competition between east and west in the competitive sports market that is Sydney. The most famous being the former Western Suburbs Magpies and the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles of Rugby League. Known as the 'fibros' and the 'silvertails' respectively, legend has it that the Magpies coach Roy Masters used to have his troops slapping and punching each other in the change rooms prior to kick off.
It's doubtful that will occur tonight with Wests coach Tony Popovic not known for any pugilist background.

With a sell out crowd in attendance (21500) the FFA couldn't have wished for a better start to the season as far as attendances go and hopefully Wests can slot the first official goal of their A League lives. Over their first two matches the red and black's best chances have fallen to Labinot Haliti and Mark Bridge. For the betting man, (and I'm not a betting man) look at the odds of the Wests win $3.40 at Sportingbet. While Wests have looked blunt in attack, the Sydney FC defence has been questionable and this week sees more irregular members in the central defence area. Pascal Bosschaart returns from long term injury to likely partner the nervous Mclenahan for the 'sky blues'.

Hiroshima Edge Closer to J League Title

Hisato Sato celebrates his goal against Sagan Tosu

HIROSHIMA ROUT NEWCOMERS AND CHARGE CLEAR

They've been atop the table or thereabouts for the best part of 27 rounds, and now Sanfrecce Hiroshima have a five point margin between them and nearest rivals Vegalta Sendai and Urawa Reds.

With seven games to go the Purple Archers find themselves clear with striker Hisato Sato setting the league on fire. Sato has 20 goals from his 27 appearances, with only the second of his penalty tally converted on the weekend. His nearest rival Ryoichi Maeda of Jubilo Iwata is chasing shadows along with the rest of the league. Maeda has 12 goals from 27 matches, while Gamba Osaka's recent signing Leandro has blitzed his way to 11 goals from just 8 matches.
Surely Sato is knocking on national team manager Zaccheroni's door loud enough now. He is streets ahead of any rivals and at 30 years of age he can still figure at the 2014 World Cup in fine fettle.

The win against Sagan Tosu was never in doubt. Although taking 30 minutes to go ahead the home team would have a two goal buffer at half time. Sato picked up his first via the awarding of a controversial penalty. He went on to set up the third goal in the 58th minute, before settling the match with his second goal by lobbing an advancing Akahoshi in goal for Sagan Tosu. The goal came in injury time and put the icing on the cake as Sagan had picked up a consolation goal in the 92nd minute.

Urawa Reds lived dangerously in their defeat of Kashiwa Reysol. They went behind in the 15th minute when a corner from Reysol found its way into the six yard box and got deflected in the wrong direction. Reds keeper Nobuhiro Kato was dumbstruck when he received a ball to the head, which bounced into the crossbar and back down behind his flailing arms. Unlucky, but the Reds hadn't dominated and at times seemed more intent on laying down to grab the attention of the referee then continue to attack the Reysol goal. Evergreen Tadaaki Hirakawa was guilty along with Brazilian Marcio Richardes. Surprisingly Genki Haraguchi was replaced in the 27th minute by Popo. Umesaki fired the Reds level when Hirakawa's lead up work saw Marcio's shot blocked, the deflection was conveniently travelling in the vicinity of Umesaki who simply passed it into the back of the net.

As popstar Haraguchi sat forlorn on the bench throughout the second half it seemed his team's title aspirations were slipping away, as a draw would have left the Reds seven points from Hiroshima. But relief would come in the form of a monumental mix up at the back. For unknown reasons Koji Inada felt he should advance from his usual position and greet his defender at the edge of the eighteen yard box. But Haraguchi's replacement Popo pounced on the Reysol pow-wow and whipped the ball into an empty net. 2-1 Reds alive!

Check the video for the drama:

Meanwhile Niigata shook the 'useless in front of goal' tag as they slotted five past title pretenders Nagoya Grampus. The 22079 home fans were treated to five goals in 45 minutes, and you can bet those goal starved Niigata fans loved every minute of it. Unfortunately the boys in orange remain inside the relegation zone but hope springs eternal as the next fortnight sees them face Kobe and Omiya just two and four points ahead respectively. 

Hiroshima Lead the J League

J LEAGUE LADDER STILL CONGESTED

With 25000 plus looking on at the Hiroshima Big Arch Stadium Sanfrecce Hiroshima were able to knock off top of the table Vegalta Sendai and leapfrog them into the top spot. The result would have buoyed the other challengers for the title who took ground from the leader by way of the top two's leapfrogging. Marquee club Urawa nicked the chocolates at Yokohama while Iwata and Nagoya took three points each also.

In another dour affair at Yokohama the home team got away to a promising start with Marquinos heading home in the 5th minute. The old stager has proved his worth with 8 goals this season and he made no mistake with the cross from the right by youngster Yuji Ono. Moments later Saito would sizzle down the left flank for Yokohama and dribble into the box. The ensuing shot was fired over the bar and it was as good a chance as Yokohama would get before half time. In the 23rd minute Reds midfielder Kashiwagi would make it 1-all. The goal came about as per usual as a result of one of the Reds quick transitions. Left back Makino played a superbly weighted ball ahead of Kashiwagi who picked it up just outside the box. With the keeper out of his ground Kashiwagi lobbed the ball over the stranded gloveman and into the corner of the goalmouth. Kashiwagi is one of the form players in the J League and his contribution at Urawa shouldn't be underestimated. Further into the half Marquinos started to show some of his frustration as he bundled Hirakawa into the sideline. 

Makino is warmly congratulated by teammate Haraguchi

The match winner came in the 64th minute when Yokohama's experienced Nakazawa played a terrible pass back to his team mate on the half way line. The Reds pounced with little Brazilian Marcio Richardes setting Haraguchi loose and the forward duly took the ball and arrived at the box, unleashing a powerful shot that drew a strong parried effort from the keeper. Unfortunately for the home team it was Reds left back Makino who was first onto the scene and he made no mistake in first timing it into the back of the net. Again the Reds scored off a quick transition. This is actually a disturbing trend at the top of the J League. Vegalta Sendai have also been described as a 'fit, fast transition' team by this website. It seems to be a recipe for success in the J League at the moment. Hopefully, it's not a sign of weakness. Next year's ACL will tell that tale.

Jubilo Iwata's recent run of good form continued with victory away at Kobe. The visitors in their white strip had trailed at half time but when Ryo Okui received a second yellow in the 62nd minute things turned. Iwata were able to pinch two goals, the winner coming in the 82nd minute via Komano's assist for striker Yamada. Komano had just come off a confidence boosting performance for the national team against Iraq. Meanwhile, Nagoya's victory wasn't so hard fought. Early on Kennedy was adjudged offside when he put the ball in the back of the net, however, Grampus would go ahead in the 38th minute via a poorly defended free kick. Taguchi was the scorer, although wily defender and part time striker Tulio claimed a touch only for 'the powers that be' to rule in favour of Taguchi. In the 68th minute Kennedy would get his goal via a well executed lunging tap in. Iwata and Nagoya are both 6 points off the lead with nine league games to go.

Next week in the J League all eyes will been on Mizuho Athletics Stadium in Nagoya. Grampus face competition leaders Sanfrecce Hiroshima. The Aichi prefecture team should pack the 20000 seater stadium if good conditions prevail. Urawa host relegation battling Gamba Osaka. Sendai are at home to Kobe while Iwata host battlers Niigata.