LEWDUB RETWEETS VOLUME 3

This week we go to the video. In a LewDub Retweets first, we feature all the important tweets and comments in East Asian Soccer over the last seven days, on video!

Look out for @SeongnamFC2014's controversial comments about Japanese Soccer teams including: Urawa Reds, Kashima Antlers and Gamba Osaka. Check the video to hear his gripe.

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@seankyaroru (the account of Sean Carroll) was at Kashima Stadium for the Antlers vs FC Seoul Asian Champions League clash. In previous ACL home matches Kashima couldn't manage 8000 fans onsite. The home team needed a win to secure qualification for the knockout stage of the competition. On the video you'll find out how many Antlers fans rocked up.

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@JSoccerMagazine spoke about the same match on Tuesday night. His summary took a more holistic stance, focusing on what the result meant for some of the other teams in Group H. Watch the video to hear a dodgy English accent, and find out who won through to the ACL Knockout Stage.

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@Franjic5 (the account of Ivan Franjic) sent his best wishes to his old teammates at Brisbane Roar. Last week they met Adelaide United in the A-League Elimination Final. Did Ivan's mates win? The video knows.

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@cantonfcnews reviewed the action from Shanghai last Friday night when Timmy Cahill's Shanghai Shenhua took on Guangzhou Evergrande. See, hear and read what happened - on the video.

LEWDUB RETWEETS - VOL. 2

First up in volume two, Lew Dub is looking to get the painful stuff out of the way. Last week in volume one I mentioned Seongnam FC Unofficial's account. I said that the account had mistakenly tweeted that Seongnam were safely through to the knockout phase of the ACL, but it was me who was mistaken. Craic Dealer an avid
Seongnam fan gave me the run down
on how things operate if there are three
teams tied in an ACL Group. This
situation is quite likely to arise in
Group F of the ACL where Seongnam are safe on ten and
Gamba Osaka and Buriram are on seven. Craic Dealer also exposed me to the cat obsessed account of @fresh_bizzy. Interesting if you've got some spare time.
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Second in the top five retweetables list came from Perth Glory's Rostyn Griffiths. The midfielder gave voice to something I fully support. After an investigation led by eastern state journos exposed Perth's salary cap infringements, the West Aussie club has been relegated from third to seventh, and out of the A-League Finals series. You can only speculate as to why Perth were targeted, but just like Rostyn I would love to see the books opened at a couple of big city clubs in Australia's eastern states.

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Shane Smeltz one of the A-League's greatest contributors got his just desserts during the week, and he showed some class on social media. The Kiwi was named in the A-League's Team of the Decade alongside the likes of Archie Thompson and Besart Berisha in the forward line. Though often starting as a substitute at Sydney FC this year Smeltz (85) trails Archie Thompson (88), by three goals in the A-League's all time leading scorer list.

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Somebody else got there just desserts this week, but it was a sour dish when served. Australian soccer journo Scott McIntyre made a number of disgusting tweets that targeted dead Australian and New Zealand soldiers, those without university educations, those with white skin, anyone who drinks, anyone who gambles, and anyone who has an ounce of patriotism. The tweets (five in total) came on ANZAC Day, the day when Australians stop to pay respect to those that paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we enjoy now. 

As a result, McIntyre was deservedly sacked from his post at the publicly funded SBS network.  

As Scott's tweets are too offensive to display here, I've posted the response from Hungarian immigrant Les Murray. Murray a famed soccer presenter on SBS was (along with the large majority of Australia) also disgusted by the comments of his former co-worker.

Unsurprisingly Scott found a legion of like minded followers on Twitter, including a number from struggling media outlet Fairfax, who argued freedom of speech had been brought into question. But Scott's sacking is a simple case of breaking the rules of your employment contract. 

The saddest thing about the whole affair is that McIntyre doesn't have it within himself to admit his mistake. He's told lies about those that are dead and can't defend themselves. Classless. 

Just say sorry.

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Finally, from the account of Andre a regular tweeter on Japanese soccer, came this retweetable delight. Andre noted tonight's big Chinese Super League clash between Tim Cahill's Shanghai Shenhua and behemoths Guangzhou Evergrande. I agree it's a huge fixture but the fact it's coming from Andre speaks to the rise of Chinese soccer. 

BRISBANE TRAVELS TO ADELAIDE IN A-LEAGUE FINALS

Luke Brattan up in arms for Brisbane Roar.

This Friday Brisbane Roar travels to Adelaide to take on the much vaunted, 'Gombau led' Reds. The Queensland team has managed to sneak into the finals courtesy of Perth Glory's inglorious demotion, and despite finishing sixth in the regular season, pose the biggest threat to Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC. 

Brisbane started A-League season 2014/15 in dreadful form. After seven matches the Roar had amassed a whole four points. Somehow, the club turned things around, and from February 2nd went five matches undefeated. Once their Asian Champions League commitments arrived Brisbane's new found domestic consistency took a blow, but nevertheless they're in the finals, and the roster available has enough class to do some damage. 

Their recent win against Beijing Guoan was something we didn't think possible. Heading to China with only the burning embers of their ACL campaign flickering, Brisbane defeated a Beijing outfit that hadn't tasted defeat in 21 matches. It was ugly, and un-Brisbane like, but sometimes you just have to forget the aesthetics and get the money. 

Serbian striker Andrija Kaluderovic got the goal in the 40th minute, and from that time on it was batten down the hatches and get gritty with it. Brisbane dug-in in defiance of the 35,000 plus fans, and it's that kind of character that should see them come away with a win against a similar opponent this Friday.

Adelaide, the favourites in many quarters are the pin up boys of the league. All season long their flowing football has caught the eye, and manager Josep Gombau believes his team are better prepared than last year when they fell at the first hurdle (CCM) in the finals. They'll have the services of Spaniard Isaias who was in doubt earlier this week.

Unfortunately the Reds will go into the match minus front man Bruce Djite. The man whose team mates say is underrated is out with a groin strain and Adelaide really don't have anyone who can provide the same physicality.

Additionally, Brisbane dealt Adelaide a psychological blow just three weeks ago when they beat them 3-2 at Hindmarsh Stadium. The Roar led 3-0 after 54 minutes before the home team picked up a 71st minute goal and another in the 95th.

Another factor against Adelaide is the venue change for the do or die fixture. The match has been switched to Adelaide Oval in a bid to maximise ticket sales. The Reds manager revealed his disappointment at the decision during a press conference, "The decision is not what we want but we need to respect it. We need to play and we need to win."

If you like a bet Brisbane are just too hard to ignore. One betting agency has them at $4 to win in the regulation 90 minutes. With the aforementioned factors taken into account, those odd are just too good to pass up. 

LEWDUB RETWEETS!

This week East Asian Soccer and Lew Dub unveil: LewDub Retweets. In what is planned to be a weekly installment, the East Asian Soccer website in conjunction with Lew Dub's Twitter, account will trawl through what was retweet worthy over the last week. From there we will snatch the five most noteworthy re-tweets or favourites from the Lew Dub account and discuss their noteworthiness.

Without further ado, lets get stuck into LewDub Retweets Volume 1.

Number 1, comes from a favourite account of ours. It's the JSoccer Magazine Twitter account and the tweet that made us stand up and applaud gave reference to the painful Urawa Reds, and their ACL plight.

Truly tough times for Urawa fans who deserve more than they get from their beloved Reds. But who knows maybe 2015 will be their year 'domestically'.

Number 2 comes from Sebastian Hassett's account. The Sydney Morning Herald scribe paid tribute to Japan's Kashima Antlers after stealing victory in a second half schooling of Western Sydney Wanderers. It seems everyone wants to stick the boot into the Wanderers at the moment, but there is still some breath in the lungs of their Asian Champions League campaign.

WSW will need to defeat the already qualified Guangzhou Evergrande in China, and pray for a draw between Kashima Antlers and FC Seoul.




Number 3 comes from Peter Davis's account. News from the Chinese Super League. As the tweet says, Swedish international Tobias Hysen tops the CSL scorers list. But of just as much tweet-

worthiness is the fact Hysen's Shanghai East Asia (SIPG) - managed by Sven Goran Eriksson - are undefeated and top of the CSL table.




Number 4 via Seongnam's unofficial English twitter account, was a bit of lighthearted banter. The K-League team is faring better than any of their Korean counterparts currently, but the tweet could

backfire as Seongnam aren't assured of qualification for the knockout phase of the ACL while all other K-League teams are still in with a fighting chance.



Finally at Number 5 is Dean Heffernan's polite call for Wanderers' new recruit Kerem Bulut to lighten up on the gesticulation. The 'call out' came during the Asian Champions League tie with Kashima

Antlers, when the raw talent could be seen gesturing frustratedly whenever the ball didn't come to him.



No more here. That's a wrap!

BEIJING SET TO BREAK BRISBANE IN ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Dejan Damjanovic warms up alongside Batalla for Beijing

Beijing Guoan go into their clash with Brisbane Roar as virtually qualified for the Asian Champions League Knockout Stage, but that won't stop them taking three points against the Aussie club. 

The home team will as always be cheered on by around 40,000 Beijing-ites, and though they are currently experiencing a mini funk (drawn last 3 matches), they're still undefeated in their last 21 matches. 

Meanwhile, Brisbane will be fighting for their Asian Champions League lives. Of most concern for the Australians is their casualty list. Influential centre back Luke Devere is out, Shane Stefanutto is out, and along with that, Jade North will be nursing a dodgy groin, if he makes the field. Had it not been for this, I would have said Brisbane were good value. 

The Roar have definitely placed some importance on this fixture, evidenced by their decision to rest a throng of players for last Saturday's Melbourne Victory clash. Those missing in action included: Broich, McKay, Brattan, Borello and 'the slippery fish' Henrique. 

Young defender Daniel Bowles who recently returned from injury described the dressing room, "All the boys are buzzing and we will be going out there and giving it our all." Brisbane certainly have plenty of motivation, as their previous appearances in the competition have yielded little, but no one wants to go into a big match with an understrength back four. 

A patched up Brisbane did a commendable job against Muscat's Melbourne on Saturday, but being tested against unfamiliar opponents should prove too much. Not only will Brisbane face some of China's best in Yu, Dabao and Song, Boxuan, they'll also face off against classy Montenegrin Dejan Damjanovic and midfielder Pablo Batalla.

On a freezing cold night in Saitama two weeks ago Beijing Guoan looked anything but champions, still they managed to grind out a draw against Urawa. On Tuesday night, at home, at the Workers Stadium, Beijing will be up for it.

The green team have been looking on jealously for the last four years as Chinese rivals, Guangzhou Evergrande have taken all before them. This year could be the year that Beijing stamps their mark on continental football.

GUNNERS RALLY TO SHARE SPOILS WITH JETS YOUTH

Jake Adelson - scorer for Jets Youth 

South Cardiff Gunners and the Newcastle Jets Youth team played out an entertaining 3-3 draw at Ulinga Oval in the Northern NSW NPL on Sunday.

The Jets got scoring underway when striker Radovan Pavicevic found himself one on one with the Gunners keeper. He slotted home with aplomb, and the home team now had their backs firmly against the wall.

More than 20 minutes into the match, South Cardiff's Jeong Sangdeok was dispossessed in front of goal and the Jets flew into attack mode. Reeling off a shot that sailed narrowly over the bar.

Next it was the Jets left back who fired off a bouncing volley that was stray of the mark. Hay (the left back) and his counterpart Jake Adelson provided plenty of highlights for the visitors. Hay with his tireless work ethic found himself crossing into the box countless times, while Adelson on the right had an assured presence and the footspeed to trouble any opponent.

But half an hour in, the Jets would rue their profligacy when South Cardiff's Sean Clarke turned a quick counter into a stunning equaliser. Clarke showed surprising agility to swivel and shoot in the blink of an eye.

The parity was short lived though, as the Jets went to the break 3-1 up after Ryan Ensor curled a shot into the right corner, while Adelson drove one home from an acute angle.

The second half began with more of Clarke's patented swivel and shoot. This time the shot was parried skyward and eventually to safety by the Jets gloveman.

Playing into the wind the Jets nearly extended their lead when Beaudon Mcdonald lobbed the stranded Gunners keeper. With the shot off target, the Gunners struck back making it 3-2 with more than 20 minutes to play.

The Jets continued to threaten, making regular raids down the wings, but Pavicevic and substitute Burke were unable to get clear shots on goal. Sure enough, the Gunners made them pay.

Korean import Jeong led South Cardiff out of their own half with a determined run, fighting off a challenge before setting Dean Kelley loose on goal. The Gunners substitute sprung the offside trap and duly finished with the equalising goal. Jeong who came to the club courtesy of Newcastle Jets' Lee, Ki Je grew into the game, and will surely have more influence as the season goes on.

The final score of 3-3 will ring alarm bells for both coaching teams though, as the Gunners have conceded five goals in their first two matches, while the Jets even worse, have leaked six.

Next week South Cardiff host undefeated Weston Bears, while the Jets Youth travel to Maitland who had a heavy 5-1 defeat to Broadmeadow Magic today.    

J-LEAGUE VS CHINESE SUPER LEAGUE IN THE ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

This week in the Asian Champions League it's Japan versus China. On Tuesday April 7th, it's Kashima Antlers vs Guangzhou Evergrande. On Wednesday April 8th, it's Urawa Reds vs Beijing Guoan and Shandong Luneng vs Kashiwa Reysol. Never has the Chinese Super League had a better opportunity to stamp it's authority over their rival than this, and particularly in the fixtures based in Japan.

First, China's inimitable Guangzhou Evergrande line up against Kashima Antlers, just two weeks after the J-League club went close to ambushing them in Canton. Kashima overturned Ricardo Goulart's classy 10th minute header when youngster Shoma Doi made it 2-1. Of course the Chinese club equalised and went ahead when new acquisition Goulart struck again. The Brazilian dashed from the centre circle after a clumsy Kashima turnover and headed straight for the box, barely veering from his path before unleashing. At 3-2 Kashima had claims for a penalty turned down in the 83rd minute (watch video and decide for yourself), but there were still more goals.

Finishing 4-3, Guangzhou Evergrande were lucky to escape in a fixture that painted a brighter picture for the struggling J-League. Kashima put on a bold show, unlike that of many a J-League side before them (in recent years). With their knockout stage hopes on death row, a desperate Antlers will surely provide another daring display on Tuesday night, worthy of the 'Champions League' tag.

Twenty four hours after Kashima fights for their Asian Champions League survival, Urawa Reds face up to a confident Beijing Guoan. The team in green from the Chinese capital are unbeaten in their last 18 matches. If you scan back to August 13th, 2014 you'll eye Beijing Guoan's loss to Guangzhou R&F. Most recently they put on a second half schooling of Tim Cahill's Shanghai Shenhua.

Urawa themselves are undefeated in four domestic outings, but the continental competition has proven a bridge too far. The J-League's leading club has been beaten in all three ACL outings. Though dispatched 2-0 by Beijing at the Worker's Stadium two weeks ago, the Japanese club had their share of opportunities. Also worth noting is that it was a goalkeeping blunder from Nishikawa in the 78th minute that allowed Beijing Guoan to go ahead.

Shandong will host the surprising Kashiwa Reysol, who have defied the trend of J-League clubs failing on the ACL stage - remaining undefeated after three matches. The Sun Kings looked a level above Shandong two weeks ago, but the Chinese club will be at home and they'll be desperate.

However, East Asia's focus will be on the clash of the heavyweights. Kashima, the J-League's most successful club faces the ignominy of being booted out of the Asian Champions League while on zero and by none other than Guangzhou Evergrande, the symbol of China's rising soccer status. Meanwhile, it will be no less shameful for Urawa. Skulking alone at the bottom of Group G with zero points, the club whose fans are undoubtedly the best in the J-League, faces the likelihood of being swept aside by the resurgent Beijing Guoan.

In Tuesday's match at Kashima the home team has the flying Mu Kanazaki (if he's recovered from a boot to the face on last Friday) lining up against ACL top goalscorer Ricardo Goulart and Elkeson. While on Wednesday at Saitama the home team will have their work cut out for them containing big Dejan Damjanovic and Chinese products Song, Boxuan and Chen, Zhizhao. Enjoy!