CAN URAWA FINALLY PUT THE DOUBTERS TO REST?

Abe, Makino and Koroki are joined by an unknown Red.

This Saturday at 2pm Japan time, Urawa take on Gamba Osaka in the match that should end the argument over who will be this year's J-League champions.

With three matches remaining in the J-League, it's hard to deny Urawa their place as champions elect. They're currently five points clear of closest opponent Gamba Osaka and have led the competition for the past 13 rounds. The Reds had a shaky October, where they lost to Vegalta Sendai, and drew with Kofu and Kashima. But their win against Yokohama in the port city on 3rd November, could jolt the team in the right direction. Meanwhile, rivals Gamba gave up two points when they drew with Sendai in their most recent J-League fixture.

It's hard to believe that Gamba Osaka were in Japan's second tier last year, but five rounds into the 2014 season it was obvious. The blue half of Osaka was battling away in 14th position while city rival Cerezo Osaka was out of the boxes like an underfed greyhound. Gamba's rivals had gone on an off season spending spree that had this blogger so impressed I tipped them to be title challengers.

How wrong I was. Cerezo's early form went south, while Gamba turned a corner and have barely had their foot off the throttle. Since the mid season break in July, Gamba Osaka have won 13 of 17 J-League matches.

Poignantly, it was three rounds ago that the blue team did drop some points, and then again, unexpectedly against 14th placed Vegalta Sendai. It begs the question: Have Endo and co. peaked too soon? 

The above graph clearly illustrates how Gamba have stalked the Reds since round 27. But in round 30 the Kansai based team were within three points, now they lay five points away. Gamba simply must win today.

Critics of Urawa have branded them a reincarnation of the Sanfrecce Hiroshima outfit that Reds manager Mihailo Petrovic led until the end of 2011. The index of players that once wore violet but now sport red includes: Tomoaki Makino, Tadanari Lee, Ryota Moriwaki, Shusaku Nishikawa (GK), and Yosuke Kashiwagi, who elected to board the Shinkansen for Urawa before manager Petrovic. 

Perhaps most important of all Petrovic's recruits is Shinzo Koroki who actually arrived via Kashima. The 28 year old is top scorer for the Reds with 12 goals this season. 

Adding intrigue to today's clash is the injury cloud over Urawa's top scorer. Koroki was missing for the team's last J-League outing against Yokohama F Marinos, but the player himself was adamant he would get some game time even if he risked long term injury as a result. 

"I came to the Reds to help them win a championship. It would kill me if I couldn't even make the bench for the biggest game of the season with the title on the line," Koroki was quoted as saying in the Japan Times. 

Today we find out if Koroki and the other hand picked recruits can deliver Urawa's second J-League title.

JAPAN SIX, HONDURAS ZERO. THE EMPEROR STRIKES BACK?

Keisuke Honda gives the thumbs up

On Friday night Japan's Samurais thumped Honduras 6-0, in what was a welcome goal bonanza for the reigning Asian Cup champions. But was it a sign that the once mighty emperors of Asia had bounced back to their best? Surely a six goal drubbing in international football is a sign that something is drastically wrong with your opponent. Nevertheless, confirmation will soon come in Japan's next match, when they take on 2015 Asian Cup hosts Australia.

Australian fans know only too well the hidden truths that lie behind a 6-0 defeat. The Socceroos were victims of two in succession in 2013, when Brazil and then France thrashed an uninspiring and lazy Aussie outfit. Manager of the time Holger Osieck was under intense media scrutiny after qualifying the team for the World Cup, but not blooding enough youth players. 

Like Australia in 2013, Honduras are experiencing a rough patch. After a disastrous World Cup conceding eight goals and scoring one, the NAFFH signed Hernan Medford to manage the national team. Since then, Honduras have secured two wins from seven matches. Knocking off the might of Belize and Nicaragua. 

A humble manager, Javier Aguirre wasn't getting carried away after Japan's slaughter of Honduras. With an eye on the fixture list he said, "I want to take a good look at the 23 players I will take to the Asian Cup and want to beat Australia." At one stage in the Mexican's short reign it appeared the international career of Gamba Osaka's legendary midfielder Yasuhito Endo may have been over. But 'Yatto' was recalled on Friday night (along with Hasebe, Konno & Uchida), and unsurprisingly it coincided with a return to form for the Samurais.

Interestingly, Australia's first eleven is still very unsettled. In terms of squad the Socceroos have been hit with a wave of injuries since Ange Postecoglou's installment as manager, preventing the team from developing the cohesion that is required for his preferred style. In a tell tale sign of doubt during a Monday night press conference, Postecoglou said, "Regardless of what we do tomorrow night it’s all about the first game of the (Asian Cup) tournament."

In stark contrast, Aguirre said ahead of the Honduras and Australia friendlies, “These two games are not about what I can try out,  they’re about looking ahead to the Asian Cup and winning.”

So Osaka, the foodies capital is host to the Socceroos on Tuesday night. But it's more than likely  that Japan, with their reloaded (Brazil 2014) squad, will be making a meal out of the Aussies. 

JETS SET TO BLOW THE MARINERS OUT OF THE WATER

Captain Kew, boss Stubbins and Flores

The Jets have been the most disappointing A-League club over the last seven seasons. Since winning the A-League Champions title in 2007/08 the Jets have made the finals once (09/10) and finished 7th three times. In a ten team competition there is no consolation in finishing mid-table. Even worse, the club has had to witness derby rival Central Coast Mariners win a title in 2012/13 and watch as they dominate the derby fixture. 

This year the Jets are being touted as wooden spoon favourites. And it's no wonder, with new manager Phil Stubbins greeted by the departures of topscorer and A-League Golden Boot, Adam Taggart along with Josh Brillante, junior Socceroo Connor Chapman, James Brown, Emile Heskey, Craig Goodwin and captain Ruben Zadkovich.. But in Newcastle's favour is the signing of striker Jeronimo Neumann, Ecuadorian Edson Montano and former Mariner Marcos Flores.

The off season recruitment has been about finding goals. Last season the Jets scoring summary reads as: 34 goals in 27 matches. On closer investigation the statistics scream goal drought. Of the 34 goals, five came in a promising victory over Wellington, and 16 were provided by Adam Taggart. Thus, Neumann and Flores are vital signings, and favourite son Joel Griffiths should not be forgotten either. 

This week in the lead up to the derby Marcos Flores lit the flame by calling out the Mariners organisation. The midfielder was disappointed in the treatment dished out to him after his full knee reconstruction in the 2013/14 season. The 28 year old said, ". . . when you get hurt in that way you feel that you are going to get support and they didn’t (support me). After three years in this country I packed my suitcase thinking that I wasn’t going to come back."

Flores and that infectious attitude

But the Argentine is back, and he's just the antidote for a disjointed Newcastle attack. Despite the numerous Young Socceroos that Gary van Egmond had recruited to the club, the Jets appeared to be a team of individuals in 2013/14. If injury free Flores will provide the link between defence and attack, and his infectious enthusiasm should bind the team.

As for the derby, the odds are stacked against the Jets. They've won once in 16 visits to Central Coast and the Mariners haven't been beaten in the last five clashes with Newcastle. Add to that the fact the Jets crashed out of the FFA Cup in the first round, and you wonder about the intelligence of the above headline. But Newcastle are a club ready to blast off. There is just far too much class in the team for them to continue under performing. At $4.00 punters would be mad not to take the odds in the derby.

ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL, SEOULED OUT

We're now into the second leg of the Asian Champions League semi-final. On the west side of the draw, Al Hilal have secured their final berth (4-2 agg.), but on the east side it's all to play for. Last season's beaten finalists FC Seoul face Western Sydney Wanderers in Parramatta, after a scoreless draw in the first leg in Seoul.

Cha Du-ri challenged by Labinot Haliti

Undefeated in their last 13 matches FC Seoul sit 5th in the K-League Classic, and are eager to return to the Asian Champions League Final. The team from the capital have some interesting stats heading into tonight's semi-final. In their last 13 matches (including all competitions) they have conceded just 6 goals and scored 18 goals. Impressive. But it's important to note that FC Seoul scored 5 goals in one match against Incheon back on the 16th August. So apart from a rare day when it all came together, FC Seoul are averaging around one goal a game. That said, manager Choi, Yong Soo was adamant the first goal would be vital and assured Korean fans saying, "We have a lot of strategies to deal with them so we are prepared."

With the Wanderers still 9 days from the kick off of the domestic season, it's hard to get a line of form for them. In the lead up to their shock two-leg victory over Guangzhou Evergrande, Wanderers had stumbled over non league Canberra 1-0 in a friendly, before being knocked out of Australia's FFA Cup by second tier club Adelaide City.

Somehow, three weeks after their giant killing effort against Guangzhou, Wanderers slogged out a 0-0 draw in Seoul, minus Tomi Juric, Brendan Santalab, Shannon Cole and Matthew Spiranovic. They'll be without Spiranovic again in the semi, but importantly goalscorers Juric and Santalab are back. This should give Wests the edge.

In addition to that FC Seoul made their incredible run to the ACL Final last year with the aid of Dejan Damjanovic. But big Dejan is no longer in Korea, he is now plying his trade alongside his former FC Seoul teammate Ha, Dae-sung at Beijing Guoan.

So on the basis that FC Seoul are unlikely to spring new tactics in a foreign land, I see Wanderers coming away victors. The home team has the cutting edge of rookie Socceroo Tomi Juric, and at some stage his influence should prove the difference. Though midfielder FC Seoul's Molina proved hard to handle in his 45 minutes in the first leg, he is no Dejan Damjanovic, and the player has received limited game time all season. Wanderers are a happy, hard working and cohesive unit. FC Seoul are not.

J-LEAGUE TITLE URAWA'S TO LOSE

Nasu & Moriwaki celebrate as Makino looks on enviously.

With nine rounds of the J-League season remaining the title is Urawa's to lose. The Reds have a six point buffer and a cosy run over the next four rounds, which should see them open up an unassailable lead by round 29. 

Over the next four rounds Urawa travel to the abominable Cerezo, before hosting Tokushima (last place), then heading to Sendai (14th) and once again returning home for Kofu (13th). If Urawa are worthy of the title they'll take the full 12 points from these fixtures. This year the Reds have shored up their defence and now brag the stingiest back-line in the J-League, with just 20 goals conceded from 25 matches. A far cry from 2013 when they leaked 56 goals over the 34 rounds.

Meanwhile, nearest rivals Kawasaki Frontale have some tough fixtures soon, with in form Gamba Osaka in the 28th round and stuttering Sagan Tosu in the 29th round. Even with striker Yoshito Okubo in fine form it's hard to see Frontale remaining within six points (as they currently are) over the next four rounds. Kawasaki also have a difficult away trip to Niigata to deal with in the 27th round, though Niigata is currently boasting 1 win from their last 6 outings.

It's certainly mathematically possible for any of the J-League's top five teams to walk off with the title, but if Urawa extend their lead over the next four rounds, we can surely cast off Sagan Tosu who've won just two from seven since sacking their Korean manager. In fact you can cast them off now, and forget about the Champions League if you're a Tosu fan.

Meanwhile, it will take just three more rounds to determine if Gamba Osaka is officially out of the title race. This week they face Sagan Tosu, then head to Kashima (3rd) before hosting Kawasaki (2nd). It's do or die time for Gamba, and they'll need to take a minimum of 7 points from the above fixtures before eying off Urawa four matches later in round 32. For Gamba to win they'll also need Urawa to 'crash and burn' in spectacular fashion.

NOTE: Predicted tallies provided up to round 29. You do the rest. Sagan Tosu not calculated as they have no chance.

Though my prediction is that the Reds will go on to win the league, there have been plenty of examples of J-league leaders falling in the shadows of the post. Just last year it was Yokohama F Marinos who unforgivably surrendered a 5 point lead with 2 matches to play, while the Reds themselves blew it in 2007 after holding an 8 point lead with 4 rounds to play. And it was way back in July on the J-Talk Podcast that J-League pundit Alan Gibson began his 'fantastical forecasting' that Gamba Osaka could still win the title. Gamba are now 9 wins from 11 since the mid season break in June/July.

The only thing that doesn't surprise in the J-League is the tightness of the competition.

KOREANS SOLELY FOCUSED ON ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

The Western Sydney Wanderers story continues tonight, live from Seoul. The rising Australian club with an Asian football pioneer (Tony Popovic) at the helm, is in a place that not even the most ardent and optimistic 'red and black bloccers' would have imagined. Popovic is quietly confident stating, "We may not have the experience they have . . . but we have a lot of belief that we can make the final." Their clash against FC Seoul tonight puts them up against an experienced continental performer, who though struggling domestically are favourite for the two legged fixture.

FC Seoul fans also wear red and black

Though comfortable in their role as underdog Wanderers would have preferred to be at full strength for the first leg. But in line with their 'blue collar' support base, they'll do it tough. Poignantly it's at the pointy end that the A-League club is deprived of regulars. Tomi Juric and Brendan Santalab are Western Sydney's strike weapons, and in their absence it's hard to see the Aussie club scoring in open play. Set pieces and defencive organisation will be pivotal if the Wanderers are to be successful. Former Mariners and current Jeonbuk (1st in K-League) defender Alex Wilkinson gives the Wanderers hope, noting that though the Koreans are solely focused on the ACL, "The Wanderers have nothing to be scared of." He added, "Asian teams in general tend to struggle against really well-organised teams."

FC Seoul have under achieved in this year's K-League, up until now. Currently sitting 5th they've gone seven matches without defeat in the league since early August. Further to that, FC Seoul are on their way toward becoming a regional powerhouse, with ACL quarter final appearances in 2009, 2011, and a final appearance against Guangzhou Evergrande in 2013. Despite losing striker Dejan Damjanovic (now at Beijing Guoan) from last year's squad, FC Seoul are once again figuring at the business end of the Asian Champions League. The team from the capital can brag the second stingiest defence in the K-League, and their quarter final win over Pohang Steelers is further evidence of their 'park the bus'-edness. The game was 0-0 after 180 minutes, finally decided when Pohang choked in the penalty shoot-out.

Over the two legs there should be few chances for both teams, and it's for that reason I see FC Seoul as eventual winners. The Koreans have a few more players with that individual brilliance that can break a stalemate. Expect to see imports Mauricio Molina and new signing Everton Santos have an influence on the result of this encounter, though they may not feature in the starting eleven. Molina's willingness to shoot is something that neutrals will no doubt enjoy, and Western Sydney will do well to silence the Columbian. Many fans will also be familiar with international Cha, Du-Ri who despite his 34 years is still featuring in K-League best elevens. Though I've tipped FC Seoul to advance it's certainly not a fixture I would invest any of my hard earned on. Good luck to both teams, but just quietly I'll be hoping for the underdog to prove the doubters wrong as they did in the quarter final.    

[WATCH THIS VIDEO TO SEE SOME OF MAURICIO MOLINA'S BEST GOALS]

THE PAINS OF POSTECOGLOU

After a World Cup tournament that saw the Socceroos exceed expectations, the mood around the national team was notably positive. But there are plenty of questions to be answered. Manager Ange Postecoglou was elected under a banner of 'better football', but with no concrete sign of that in Brazil, the Victorian has a limited time to implement his patented 'Roarcelona' style, if at all. After a fifth successive defeat and seven matches without a victory, the managerial honeymoon is about to end.

Socceroos manager Ange Postecoglou

While some hailed a brand new style in Brazil under the new gaffer, there were others including myself who failed to see any significant change. In the World Cup, Ange put his tactical ideologies aside in order to preserve national pride. The crossing and fewer passes completed provide evidence of that. But three losses from three didn't ring alarm bells for some pundits. Hence the familiar commiserative sentiments from overly positive types. Craig Foster's blog summarised the performance as, ". . . two close and competitive matches where Australia surprised many and gained a high level of respect and one football lesson." It's the phrase 'high level of respect' that has a familiar sound of satisfaction in defeat, that concerns me. As Robbie Slater's column in the Sunday Telegraph outlined today, punching above your weight and earning respect means nothing, unless combined with victory.  

The Socceroos have a limited time in preparation for the Asian Cup in January, and if Ange plans to implement the 'Roarcelona' style in that short period, he puts Australia's hopes in peril. Most alarming about a style revamp, is the timeline and ability to implement a football philosophy when your playing staff return to club outfits, that play in contrasting styles. Australia has a match against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday morning (5am AEST), and two listed for October against UAE and Qatar. These fixtures will provide evidence of the manager's intentions. With Australia expected to win all of those matches, Ange could be tempted to take the style over substance approach.

Public expectation is high, and the Asian Cup presents a situation diametrically opposed to the 2014 World Cup. The pressure is on, and players shouldn't feel compelled to play the ball out from the back if they're not capable. Fortunately, Postecoglou's Aussies have not mirrored his Brisbane Roar outfit. However, it's quite likely that the Roarcelona style is part of the 'Ange agenda'. With teams like Iran, whose style of pragmatism partnered with technical ability await, I'm crossing my fingers the manager puts style aside for now, and chooses trophies over ideology.