Nagoya Grampus Star in Contender Capitulation

GRAMPUS CAPITULATE AT SENDAI

Grampus manager Dragan Stojkovic was blunt in his assessment. "These kinds of mistakes in professional league is unacceptable." The former Nagoya player witnessed his club nosedive from contention while Sendai stamped their credentials on the J League title.

A 4-nil scoreline was perhaps harsh for the game had a touch of the 'thrust and parry' about it. Nagoya were happy to attack the home team from the opening whistle. The home team however, chose their moments carefully but attacked in numbers. It was Sendai's speed in transition from defence to attack which was the difference though. The 3rd goal of the match truly accentuated this. Coming in the 87th minute Brazilian Wilson finished off an attacking thrust which had evolved out of a Nagoya counter attack. A counter - counter attack!

Stojkovic made point of the difference in speed saying that Vegalta Sendai were very quick and that the match was a ". . . very good lesson for us." The manager went on to say that he would ". . . have to find a solution for the next game." He couldn't hide his disappointment, but perhaps Grampus had rolled into town disrespecting Sendai, as many pundits have.

Down 2-nil at halftime after a scrambled goal and an own goal, Grampus threw Tulio up front alongside Kennedy. The international gave everything but the supreme fitness of the Vegalta Sendai squad proved too much. The 16000 odd fans assembled at Yurtec Stadium were treated to one of them 'heady moments'.The 3rd goal referred to earlier was one to behold. Soccer at the edge of reality, the edge of human endeavour. In forty seconds the ball travels 300 metres with the third shot on goal in the movement being Wilson's straw that broke the camel's back. It's possible this goal has demolished Nagoya's season, while the victors . . . they have the world at their feet.

NEWS BURST

GUANGZHOU TOP GROUP AND GRAB LIPPI

Chinese Super League super club Guangzhou Evergrande have topped their Asian Champions League group, and completed a great week by signing 64 year old Italian manager Marcello Lippi.

In what are exciting times for Asian soccer the club from Guangdong province in south China, are earning a reputation as a 'bottomless pit', in terms of available funding. On May 30 the club face exciting Japanese outfit FC Tokyo, in the ACL final 16.

Lippi has signed on for 30 months and said,  "I am very enthusiastic about coming to China." The experienced manager had an assistant monitor the team for some matches and the details that he received only provided more motivation. In other news for Guangzhou, they have signed Paraguayan Lucas Barrios from Borussia Dortmund. Reports have it that the forward will be available for the ACL clash with 'the Gas Men' of FC Tokyo.

NEW A LEAGUE CLUB SIGNS LOCAL BOY

The new A - League club currently known as Western Sydney (they are so young they don't have a real name yet) have signed 'local boy - done good' Tony Popovic as their inaugural manager.

The Fairfield boy will take charge of the fledgling club in his first appearance as first team manager at any club. Previously posted at Crystal Palace in a coaching role, and also Sydney FC as assistant, 'Poppa' is respected in Australia by players and fans alike. He had a stellar playing career, starting out with western Sydney NSL side (pre A - League) Sydney United, from there pioneering into Japan. He was based with Sanfrecce Hiroshima between 1997 and 2001 before stints at Crystal Palace, Al Arabi (Qatar) and finally returning home to play for Sydney FC (07/08 & 08/09). The tall defender also made a name for himself on the international stage. He appeared for the Socceroos more than 50 times and amongst his achievements were, playing both matches in the two legged World Cup play-off against Uruguay in 2005, appearing at the World Cup in 2006, and his headed goal against England in a memorable victory in 2003.

Popovic has a huge job ahead of him in filling the playing roster from scratch. With a contract of four years the 'local boy' spoke to FOXSports about expectations recently. He said, ". . . knowing the area, growing up in the area, I know what the, what the people of the region expect." He added that he hoped the club could play a brand of soccer that the people of western Sydney could be proud of.

FOOTNOTE: For those unaware, western Sydney is considered by most as the 'heartland' of soccer in Australia. It's known as 'the breeding ground' for many of Australia's best soccer products. Watch this space, as in this blogger's opinion this will be 'the club' in Australian soccer.

Tri Colours Make it Four in a Row

F MARINOS ON A ROLL

Marquinos leaves them in his wake

After a dreadful start to the season Yokohama F Marinos have turned the tide. The Tri Colours downed high flying Hiroshima 3-1 at Hiroshima Big Arch Stadium. From a 1-nil deficit after 6 minutes the boys from Yokohama were able to take the three points and re-install faith in their under-fire manager Yasuhiro Higuchi.

The match was barely underway when Hiroshima's midfielder Aoyama launched a shot from inside his own half. Successfully lobbing the keeper from over 60 metres, the ball did not bounce until finding it's way into the back of the Yokohama net. Hiroshima were also denied a second goal before Brazilian Marquinos headed home a Yuji Ono cross. Marquinos was appearing in only his third game for F Marinos this season and the upsurge in form form the club has coincided with the Brazilian's appearance on the teamsheet.

In the 79th minute a goalkeeping blunder allowed Yokohama to go ahead. 22 year old Manabu Saito appearing for the ninth time picked up the scraps from a mishandled header. The youngster had picked up a yellow card just 12 minutes earlier. Finally, defender Tomisawa headed home a Shunsuke Nakamura cross to put a stamp on the result.

The fourth win in a row puts the Tri Colours on 16 points. It's hard to believe that they sat second last on 4 points after seven rounds. After the disappointment of missing out on ACL spots last year the team are now in a position to challenge once again. They currently sit just 3 points adrift of third place which guarantees a place in Asia.

ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

In other news Nagoya Grampus tonight play for survival in the ACL. Nagoya take on Australia's Central Coast Mariners who are fresh from their biggest win in Asia, two weeks ago. They beat Chinese team Tianjin Teda 5-1 at home and with the news that manager Graham Arnold has decided to extend his time with the club, spirits will be high. Mariners defender Patrick Zwaanwijk spoke with confidence saying ". . . I think we can beat them" if the team play as well as they did in Gosford the last time the two met. Grampus come into the match with a victory over Kobe on Saturday. It was the first win for the club since April 14th.

Check the video below for Patrick Zwaanswijk's comments on the Mariners website.

NEWS BURST

 SHIMIZU CLIMBING HIGH

In a week where the fixture list was jammed with top flight action Shimizu took the opportunity to scale the heights of the J League ladder. It began on Saturday (April 28th) with victory over FC Tokyo, then Thursday a drubbing of Kashima Antlers had the home fans in raptures, before Sunday's win over competition leaders Vegalta Sendai. Wow!

Most remarkable of all the victories was the 1-nil victory over FC Tokyo on April 28th. S-Pulse were away to the 'Gas Men' and played from the 56th minute with just ten men. Adding to that Aussie Alex Brosque was sent off in the 73rd minute bringing the Shimizu down to nine men. But someone was watching over the men in orange as youngster Toshiyuki Takagi slotted his fourth goal of the J League season. With just 13 minutes remaining plus stoppages S-Pulse defended resolutely to go home with the three points and a famous victory.

After the recent run of success Shimizu S-Pulse now sit 2nd on the ladder and just two points off the leaders Vegalta Sendai. Now it is S-Pulse who are being touted as title winners in many quarters. With 24 games to play there is still many twists and turn to come in what is arguably Asia's most exciting league.

GRAHAM ARNOLD STAYS AT GOSFORD

Graham Arnold is staying put. The man who has steered the Mariners into calm and prosperous waters over the past two seasons will remain on board much to the chagrin of his Sky Blue suitors.

Sydney FC are still looking for a manager after Graham Arnold made a negotiation too many for their liking. Football director Gary Cole (Sydney FC) said yesterday, “We had asked Graham for a final answer by today but we were presented with some last minute requests, which we were not prepared to meet." According to Cole, Graham Arnold had requested that he be able to bring along his Central Coast Mariners assistants.

However bad this is for Sydney FC, it's double that in positive measures for the Mariners. In two years at the helm Arnold has took the team to a Grand Final appearance in 2010/2011 and this season they carried off the Premiers Plate which grants them automatic entry to the ACL. And lets not forget the Mariners are still in with a fighting chance of making it through to the knockout phase of the ACL, pending their fate in Nagoya next week.

ALOISI HAS HEART IN RIGHT PLACE

After being on the playing roster just last year (2010/2011) Socceroos golden boy John Aloisi now finds himself the Heart's head coach. 

Aloisi was full of praise for the board and the achievements of the team in the season just passed. In 2011/2012 Aloisi was in charge of the Melbourne Heart Youth League team. With his insider knowledge he confidently stated, "The club is well positioned to succeed, with an exciting young core at the heart of our team, and I'm confident we will be able to build on last season's success over the next few years."

Ante Milicic was also in the running for the head coach role but now that it's clear that he won't have the top job rumours are rife that the former Sydney United marksman will be lining up the top job at the new Western Sydney A League side. Milicic was assistant to departing manager John van't Schip and many had touted Milicic as the man for the job. Aloisi has said, "I want Ante to stay on. We're good friends off the pitch and he is an integral part of this club." Only time will tell if Ante's heart rules his head.

Aloisi at the press conference

BRISBANE ROAR PLAYING FOR SURVIVAL

Tonight the Brisbane Roar face Korean opponent Ulsan Hyundai in a match which could signal the end of their hopes of ACL success in 2012. With a possible 9 points left to play for, and placed 3 points behind 2nd placed Ulsan, tonight is do or die.

With the game kicking off at 7:30pm in Brisbane tonight, a media conference involving both team's captains and managers was held yesterday. Brisbane manager Ange Postecoglou was bristling as the assembled media continued to harass him about his future. Postecoglou was asked were the questions regarding his future annoying, he quipped, "Do you think it is? You keep asking the questions though don't you." The rumour mill has linked him with marquee club Melbourne Victory, however, Postecoglou is firmly focused on his ACL task and the A League Grand Final this Sunday. The manager was not concerned at what some deem inconvenient scheduling. Regarding the game tonight just 4 and a half days before the grand final he said, "that's the nature of the sport we're involved in, there's an international aspect . . ."

Brisbane's opponents Ulsan have had a successful start to their K League season conceding just one match from the opening seven. Just six days ago the tigers had a 0-0 draw with 2nd placed Jeju and notably they have conceded just 4 goals in 7 matches. The Roar will not be taking their opponents lightly given the meeting two weeks ago yielded a 1-1 draw. However, the Australian side had dictated terms, leading 1-nil until Matt Jurman was given a red card in the 47th minute. Striker Besart Berisha had calmly cut back for an oncoming Nick Fitzgerald to put Brisbane ahead in the 36th minute. Unfortunately the red card turned the game and Ulsan were able to equalise in the 55th minute. A very open affair but the result remaining a 1-1 deadlock.

With it all to play for tonight expect Brisbane to take the three points even if some key players get rested. In other action FC Tokyo host Beijing Guoan. The previous meeting between the two teams also resulted in deadlock. Hosted by the giants of the Chinese Super League the home team were recipients of a very helpful piece of refereeing to go ahead via a penalty (click here to see the youtube video) in the 11th minute. Not surprisingly when FC Tokyo hit back it was midfielder Hasegawa who was on target in the 44th minute. The Iranian-Japanese midfielder has been on fire throughout the tournament and in the J League, only recently coming unstuck with some disciplinary issues.

Around the Champions League the other interesting clashes involve Thai outfit Buriram and Jeonbuk Motors. The Thai club travel to Korea attempting to reverse their first ACL defeat just a fortnight ago. They are the giant killers of the competition taking the scalps of Japanese champs Kashiwa Reysol and Chinese champs Gaungzhou Evergrande. Group G seems to be full of shocks though with Guangzhou opening the tournament with a 5-1 win over Jeonbuk. Expect the Koreans to be on song tonight as they have it all to play for, sitting on 3 points while Kashiwa and Guangzhou on 4 points meet, means they will lose contact with the top two unless they take points.

SENDAI STAY TOP

Vegalta Sendai have maintained their undefeated start to the season by giving defending champions Kashiwa a 3-2 touch up. Striker Shingo Akamine grabbed the winner in the 78th minute.

Travelling to Chiba prefecture, Sendai endured the inclement weather and a fiery Leandro Domingues to give themselves a three point buffer at the top of the table. Both midfielder Yoshiaki Ota and the 28 year old striker Akamine have moved to three goals this season. Ota picked up two assists on the weekend with Akamine's goal being decisive. Interestingly Sendai are well ahead in the goals scored department which was an issue last season.

Sendai finished fourth in 2011 with the stingiest defence in the competition. They conceded just 25 goals in the 34 match season. Unfortunately they only scored more goals than 5 other teams. If the goal scoring problem has been nullified than there is no reason why Sendai can't complete an inspiring J League triumph. Sendai was smack bang in the middle of the earthquake and tsunami disaster of 2011. After winning J2 in 2009 the team were lucky to survive their first season in the J League. They finished two places above relegation and just one win clear of the relegated FC Tokyo. It wasn't unreasonable to expect the natural disaster to have a negative impact on the team in 2011 and spell the end of their J1 adventure, but they proved to be made of sterner stuff than most mortals. 

Now 2012 sees Vegalta Sendai head of the table, with big guns Urawa Reds in pursuit, and the usual suspects Nagoya Grampus lurking about. The J League has made a habit of throwing up the fairytale recently and their will be no shortage of people wishing good will toward the team from Miyagi prefecture.

A LEAGUE TURMOIL

JETS OWNER DOES THE RUNNER

Mining (lucky guy) magnate Nathan Tinkler has attempted to pull the rug from under the Newcastle Jets in a display of petulance. The owner of the Jets had a representative host a depressing press conference where the Hunter Sports Group (owned by Tinkler) declared, they were handing back their owner's license due to differences in opinion on how the game should be run. 


HSG chief executive Troy Palmer stated ". . . propping up their [FFA] decisions that we don’t agree with is not what we think is best for Newcastle." With true billionaire contempt it seems the rich man is taking his bat and ball and going home. The tamper tantrum stems from two major issues: the $5 million license acquisition fee paid by Tinkler and the Jason Culina insurance incident. Tinkler has good reason to be bitter about the acquisition fee. The $5 million that he paid is well over the money paid by others and Jason Culina was bought as a marquee player but amazingly the player wasn't insured as the FFA has a different rule for marquee players.

So Tinkler has reason to be angry and to want answers however, trying to hand back the license is a little irresponsible. The Jets attracted the third highest average crowd figures for 2011/12, and manager Gary Van Egmond gave up his post at the Australian Institute of Sport for the job at the Jets. Tinkler has metaphorically said to the fans "to hell with you", he has metaphorically said to Van Egmond "who cares about your family and any other bills you have to pay" and the same goes for all the players.

On investigation into Tinkler's history we see some consistent patterns of this kind of behaviour. In November 2011 he finally ended his dispute with horse trainer Anthony Cummings. Cummings was one of a long line of horse trainers who parted ways with Tinkler. The list includes Jason Coyle, Patrick Payne, Tony Noonan and Mick Price. But it's Tinkler's timing which really proves his class (sarcasm). Hours after the launch of the 2011/12 A League season Tinkler ruthlessly sacked then manager, Branko Culina, who had been on hand for the launch media event. Tinkler sacked Culina for the debacle that surrounded the signing of injured marquee player Jason Culina (his son). And now on the day of the A League awards night Tinkler prods his chief executive officer into the fray to tell the world he doesn't want his 'soccer toy' anymore. Unfortunately for Tinkler he signed a ten year ownership contract and the FFA are ready for court action. By the afternoon of HSG's announcement yesterday, the 'cut and run' group were issued papers from the FFA reminding of their legal commitments to the Newcastle Jets for another eight years.

Catch Football Federation Australia's response to HSG.