FC TOKYO v CHONBURI FC - ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PLAY OFF

FC Tokyo found their way to the Asian Champions League play-off via a 4th place finish in the J-League. After a great start to 2015, the loss of Yoshinori Muto severely impacted the club.

New FC Tokyo manager Hiroshi Jofuku has been quick to 'shoosh' any fans anticipating something big from the Gas Men in the play-off saying, "Getting the league title is the club's biggest aim." Their trial form has been somewhat concerning also, with a recent loss to 2nd tier Tokyo Verdy (30/1/16) and a draw with 3rd tier Ryukyu (24/1/16).

Young midfielder Shoya Nakajima is likely to be rested due to his recent commitments to the Japanese U/23s team. Of interest for outsiders will be new purchase Ha, Dae-Sung from South Korea and Aussie Nathan Burns. Ha, Dae-Sung had a trophy-less stint at Beijing Guoan, while Burns will be hoping to get more game time under the new manager.

Chonburi FC have the benefit of a 'real' match under their belts after a close shave with Yangon United in last week's round of ACL play-offs. The Thai club was forced to extra time by the Myanmar outfit. Not an impressive result but they're now battle hardened.

Word is the many new faces in the Chonburi line-up are still to gel. Amongst the new starting members are three midfielders, so it's not surprising that cohesion was lacking in the Yangon clash. Tuesday night will represent another chance for the Sharks new arrivals to impress manager Therdsak.

With so many unknowns (two new managers, pre season form, new signings) this clash is a good one for punters to steer clear of. Chonburi won't be lacking motivation after falling at the hands of Japanese opponents Kashiwa at the same stage last year, but will that be enough against their more acclaimed rivals?

Betting: FC Tokyo $1.22  - draw $6 - Chonburi FC $11

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. 

JETS ON TRAJECTORY OF LAST YEAR'S WANDERERS

Call me crazy, call me mad, even insane. Maybe my heart is getting the better of me, but there seems to be some similarities in the flight path of this season's Jets and last season's Wanderers. After five rounds of the 2013/2014 A-League season, the Newcastle Jets lie seventh on six points; one win and three draws.

Last season the Western Sydney Wanderers spent the first three rounds kicking soccer balls in all directions but goal-ward. They hit pay-dirt in round four when Mark Bridge was able to slot one into the back of the net, and give the Wanderers their first ever A-League win. Prior to that match Bridge spoke to Omnisport, and was predictably probed on the 270 minute goal drought: "Defensively we've been very solid, structurally we've been very good and we've been very competitive in every game." While sounding like the cliche response Bridge was right about Wests solid defence - it would prove to be the foundation of their critically acclaimed season. After five rounds last year the Wanderers had conceded just three goals, and found themselves on seven competition points.

This season the Jets struggled through three matches and the 'goal drought' tag was being bandied about. Then came the round four local derby with Central Coast Mariners. Winless, but with two draws behind them, and two clean sheets, the Jets went into the game underdogs with a quite confidence. Amazingly, Newcastle found themselves the owners of a 2-nil lead with more than 60 minutes played. Graham Arnold's Mariners would storm back as the Jets got stage fright. A penalty in the 63rd minute and a 'tap in' from a rebound in the 79th minute meant the Jets could only manage a draw. Prior to that match Jets assistant coach Craig Deans said, ". . . the small margins are not going in our favour, but we are still going to stay positive. At the same time, to have what looks to be quite a solid defencive structure at the moment is something that's pleasing and something we can build on." And so the Jets would pick up their first win in round five against Adelaide United at Adelaide.

Newcastle conceded 45 goals in their 27 matches last season. They look on the road to a much better season defensively, largely due to the recruitment of Dutch centre-back Kew Jaliens. Just as Tony Popovic created the monster that is now Western Sydney Wanderers by building a rock solid defence, the Jets maligned manager Gary Van Egmond appears to have applied the same template this year. Further upside for the Jets comes in the form of Emile Heskey's return from injury - sure to provide more space for former Socceroo Nathan Burns. All signs point to a very productive season for the Jets.