2010.01.01
Magic Endo brings the 89th Emperor's Cup for Gamba Osaka

Gamba Osaka won the 89th Emperor's Cup by beating Nagoya Grampus 4-1 on Sunny new year's day in National Stadium, Tokyo. Endo's brilliant goal ends Nagoya's dream. All matches from season 2009 have been played until today.

The 89th Emperor's Cup (2009) Results

2009.12.29
The Final will be G-Osaka vs Nagoya

2009.12.05
Kashima Antlers won 2009 J.League

Three in a row for Antlers
http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1144515.html

Kashima Antlers became the first team in J.League history to win the championship in three successive seasons today after securing a 1-0 win rivals Urawa Reds. The Antlers needed to win to be certain of claiming the title and they did just that as Shinzo Koroki headed home in the 68th minute to secure all three points. The win means Oswaldo Oliveira's side finished the season with 66 points, two clear of Kawasaki Frontale, whose 3-2 win at Kashiwa Reysol was not enough to overhaul Kashima. Frontale knew that nothing less than three points would do if they were to maintain their hope of winning a maiden J.League title. They had made the ideal start against Kashiwa as they raced into a dominant lead with three goals in 10 minutes.

Congratulations, Kashima. But, it's not happy to see the crowing in our home

Kashima's football is defensive but not reactive. Eacy players has the insight into the match and find thier best job for 90 minutes. It is sorry that we cannot see Kashima playing at the FIFA Club World Cup, but one best team in J.League has organized up with Kashima Antlers.

2009.12.04
J.LAEGUE 2009 FINAL URAWA VS KASHIMA

2009.11.28
Nakayama says good-bye to Iwata Stadium

They all came to sing with Nakayama #9 28 Nov. 2009, Iwata

The striker joined YAMAHA in 1990 and since YAMAHA joined J.League as Jubilo Iwata, he played for Jubilo. He scored 157 goals in J1, completed hat-trick in four successive games of J.League in 1998, but he is not remembered as his records but from his goal spirits.

Jubilo Iwata has already announced that the club won't make new contract with Nakayama in season 2010. After the match, Nakayama said to supportes "I want run more". He will find new club and continues running.

On the same day, leader Kashima beat third place Gamba Osaka 5-1 and the championship is limited to Kashima and Kawasaki. The final day of 2009 J.League will be on 5th December.

63

Kashima Antlers

or

61

Kawasaki Frontale

2009.11.22
Kashima Antelers regain J.League top spot

60 |		Kashima Antlers
58 |		Kawasaki Frontale
57 |		Gamba Osaka

Leader Kawasaki Frontale lost the away match against the bottom relagated Oita Trinita and Kashima reclams top. Last two matches for Kashima are third place Gamba Osaka in Kashima and difficult Urawa Reds in Saitama.

As the league is packed again like previous J.League seasons, but the eligible clubs for the championship are now limited to kashima, Kawasaki, and G-Osaka. Sanfrecce Hiroshima is one of the eliminated club of the weekend, coach Mihailo Petrovic said to the press after the draw match against Dragan Stojkovic's Nagoya.

"(We have lost the third place possibility today,) but nobody could predict being on the top or the third in league. At the final five matches, we had top place opportunity. This is the great season. From last year (in J2) to this year, we have been spending great seasons. In my 35 years' professional career, it is the top moment. It is great that we could play such a even match against Nagoya."
"I don't think only of myself as a coach. I work thinking the club's situation. Not by buying five or six players to qualify the Asian champions league, but by growing young players we try to qualify. Nobody can guarantee the teams step up by trading players, but the daily practice can develop the team definitely. To develop with players thurough the hard-working effort is the Sanfrecce Hiroshima."
"The harvest of the year is that we could impress Hiroshima's soccer style to other clubs' fans and we, Sanfrecce, can be respected."

2009.11.15
Japan draw with South Africa

Bafana and Japan draw
iafrica.com
http://sport.iafrica.com/sasoccer/news/breaking/2053600.htm
The Blue Samurai started the second half strongly but still seemed to lack real bite up front. However, the introduction of Shunsuke Nakamura just before the hour mark added a creative spark that seemed to step up their intensity in attack.

Better, but Bafana still lack bite
Independent Online South Africa
http://www.iol.co.za/....
A new jersey, new coach, but the same old tired effort from Bafana Bafana on attack.
Japan were certainly the better side in the second half after their best player Shunsuke Nakamura came on as a substitute. He dictated play well and the only attacking chances Bafana had were on the counter.

Few chances as Japan hold WCup hosts S.Africa
The Citizen
http://www.citizen.co.za/index/article.aspx.....
"This was a difficult match because Japan came here having scored a lot of goals recently and I'm satisfied with our performance while accepting that we will have to do much better." said coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

Japan boss left disappointed
Football365.co.za
http://www.football365.co.za/story/0,22162,14287_5695012,00.html
The Blue Samurai failed to put any real pressure on the Bafana Bafana defence as they played out to a goalless draw at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

2009.11.08
Kawasaki or Kashima for J1 Championship. Chiba is relegated. C-Osaka and Sendai are Promoted from J2

58 |		Kawasaki Frontale
57 |		Kashima Antlers
54 |		Gamba Osaka

18 J1 and J2 matches were playes on sunny Sunday afternoon. Jef United Ichihara Chiba is relegated to J2 for the first time since the predecessor Furukawa Soccer Club joined to the top league. This season, Oita Trinita is relegated on 24th October.

Chiba had been escaping from releagation for several seasons, but they failed. On the same afternoon, Cerezo Osaka and Vegalta Sendai confirmed their promotion to J1. It took three seasons for Cerezo and six seasons for Sendai to return to J1.

For J1, top three clubs won three points. Mortifying Nabisco Cup silver medalist Kawasaki or recovering Kashima run for the title.

2009.11.07
Pohang Steelers won 2009 ACL in Tokyo

Pohang Steelers (KOR) 2-1 Al Ittihad (KSA)

2009.11.03
FC Tokyo won Yamazaki Nabisco Cup

Beautiful stadium under the sunny autumn sky FC Tokyo vs Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 44,308 Kokuritsu - National Stadium Tokyo

FC Tokyo won the 2009 J.League Yanamaki Nabisco Cup in Tokyo. Tokyo, missing several important players, closed the league leading Kawasaki's attackers. This is the second title for FC Tokyo and is another "Silver" added to Kawasaki's collection.

First goal shot from rising FC Tokyo defensive player Yonemoto was so brilliant that Tokyo supporters could not forget.

2009.10.18
Kashima Still Lack of Victories. Shimizu Leads on Last Weeks and Kawasaki Now on Top

52 |		Kawasaki-F
51 |		Kashima
50 |		G-Osaka		Shimizu
46 |

2009.10.10
Scotsmen occupied Yokohama

What was intersting for me was hundreds of Scotland supporters. They were most vistors in Japan ever excluding Korea and China. Photo is published on Japanese media J's Goal, how many of them came from their country to see this match. Their deep and loud voice is easily heard in the stadium.

Japan: Eiji Kawashima; Yuki Abe, Daiki Iwamasa, Yasuyuki Konno, Atsuto Uchida; Hideo Hashimoto, Junichi Inamoto, Kengo Nakamura, Naohiro Ishikawa, Keisuke Honda; Ryoichi Maeda
Scotland: Craig Gordon; Christophe Berra, Gary Caldwell, Stephoen McManas, Steven Whittaker; Lee Wallace, Charles Adam, Graham Dorrans, Ross Wallace, Craig Conway; Lee Miller
Goals: Own goal and Honda

Japan 2 - 0 Scotland in Yokohama Intl

2009.10.08
Japan 2018/2022 World Cup Bid

2009.10.04
Tokyo Verdy's Fiscal Pinch

Tokyo Verdy has been known as the first succesful club team. Yomiuri Soccer Club, established in 1969, was the pre-J.League name of the club. There was a famous discussion that the J.League would allow put a company name on club name between the league chairman Saburo Kawabuchi and Yomouri president Tsuneo Watanabe. The discussion has a basis on a question, a soccer club belongs to a company, or a community? Yomiuri has rufused the community-based approach and disregarded the local supporters. From 1999, Yomiuri Newspaper leaves and its subsidiary Nippon Televison becomes Verdy's owner. This year, due to the downturn of Nippoin TV, they abandoned the club.

Tokyo Verdy has been the symbol of the successfull J.League. Kaz Miura and Ruy Ramos are the faces of the league. But the club has lost the huge fans and financial backups. They are now in the middle of the second division. Now they are losing the club basis. Verdy has had one of the best youth organization and the best training field called Yomiuri Land. Nobody has thought Verdy would face the fiscal pinch and nobody know the club's next year now.

2009.09.27
Shimizu reached just one point after Kashima

2009.09.19
Finke's Relief, Sekizuka's Frustration. Kawasaki-F 0-2 Urawa.

Kawasaki 0-2 Urawa. Todoroki Stadium, Kawasaki

The match ended with 0-2. Urawa's defense line holded up league favorite Frontale's attackers. Several fast counter attacks from Kawasaki seemed to be completed, but Reds' plan or attackers' futigue did not allow the goal.

Some found Urawa Reds changed their tactics. Too steady to follow Finke's lessons, Reds' attacks are said to be flat and easy to be counter attacked. But, today is Reds changed slightly. Although Some say their bad habit of retreat came back again, the system is very compact and they selected offensive advantage and defensive advantage flexibly. The team is the mixture of old strong Reds with new combination football.

-- added on 20th Sunday --

As Kashima stumble again, the league comes back. They allowed solitary journey for Kashima in the first half of the season, but the leaders has switched to Shimizu, Hiroshima and G-Osaka after the halfway of the season. If Kashima won't get back their top form, nobody knows where the cup goes?

2009.09.12
The Rain, The Pitch, and Other Things

This site includes 1960's popular music information. Although they are not linked from the top page, they are hidden popular pages. If there is someone who knows the song above, please mail me :-)

Photo from media illustrates the heavy rain, but...

There was a mess that referee stopped the match and cancelled it on 29 minutes' of the second half in J.League Saturday match.
It was a quite thrilling match that league second place Kawasaki Frontale rushed into leader Kashima Antlers goal in Kashima by the score of 3 for Kawasaki and 1 for Kashima. They announced the match cannot be continued due to the pitch condition. But many could not understand what was the risk? I feel sorry for Kawasaki supporters.

It could be a scandal that the home team robbed a vistor's victory, but it is not true. The point is the today's referee Mr. Okada. He sometimes judges in a legalistic way that nobody can think of.
J.League announced that the decision of this match is done on next Tuesday's league board. A sound decision is required for the league.

2009.09.05
Netherlands 3. Japan 0. in Enschede, Friendly International A Match

FA is frustrated as well? "Japan loses out to Netherlands, giving three goals in the second half. Both tie by 0-0 in the first half..." (from jfa.or.jp)

World Cup qualified Japan got a chance to tour in Netherlands. Netherlands selected big names for this match. It is the first match for two nations.

The match is interesting that clarified Japan's position and problems. From the kick off to 20-25 minutes in the first half, Japan shoot five times and Netherlands no. Japan gave no scoring chance to Netherlands in the first half. The body contact could be comparable with Netherlands. The speed of passes is enough. High position defense worked. But the last phase of the offense, they lack something to score a goal as they have done before. We need the finisher. And again in the second half, Japan seemed to go out of gas. It made midfield looser and chances for Japan disappeared.

Japan learned that the play of first half can good enough, also understood that we were very far from goals. Mr. Okada's direction of pass football is not wrong I think, but the poor finishing approach gives no advance from the last World Cup.

Netherlands: Michael Vorm (Piet Velthuizen, ht);
Gregory van der Wiel, Glenn Loovens, Joris Mathijsen, Giovanni van Bronckhorst;
David Mendes da Silva (Demy de Zeeuw, 64), Nigel de Jong, Wesley Sneijder;
Arjen Robben (Eljero Elia, ht), Dirk Kuyt (Klaas Jan Huntelaar, 64),Robin van Persie

Japan: Eiji Kawashima;
Atsuto Uchida, Yuji Nakazawa, Marcus Tulio Tanaka, Yuto Nagatomo;
Yasuhito Endo, Makoto Hasebe, Shunsuke Nakamura, Kengo Nakamura (Shinzo Koroki, 70), Shinji Okazaki;
Keiji Tamada (Keisuke Honda, ht)


Goals Robin van Persie (69), Wesley Sneijder (73), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (87)

2009.08.23
Summer in the Stadium

On Saturday, Hiroshima beat Urawa in their home stadium. Hiroshima coach Mihailo Petrovic said to the press, "It takes time. Football can only be progressed with processes. New coach can change players' motivations, but not so many things could be changed. We came here with long succession of processes. In season 2007, we lost many matches with opponent's counter attack and were relegated to J2. But the club decided our direction is correct. Now I am happy to develop with Hiroshima grown players.", as if he was talking to Urawa Reds club and its supporters who struggle with reforming with Volker Finke.

2009.08.02
Volker Finkes Trial for Urawa Continues

Urawa Reds 0. Shimizu S-Pulse 1. in mid summer moisty Saitama Stadium

There is a gap between passes and shots for Urawa's new style. I can enjoy the match as a football fan, but the solid Shimizu system do not allow Urawa to make an answer how to fill the gap.

"Some people may wonder, but I am not unsatisfied with this game. We are now on the right way, and we have many chances in this game." "Of course, I understand there are disappointed supporters. But, please remember the way we are going. The team is making efforts to go to the new way, and it made our players very tired. Now it is time to recover. We continue to walk on the way we have been on", said Volker Finke, after the match.

Although Reds score no goal for three weeks, I want players and club to know that most supporters made their mind to follow Foker Finke. The league go to one week break to prepare the summer match restarting from 15th August.

2009.07.26
First Trial For Finke's Urawa Reds

Urawa 0. Nagoya 3.

Nagoya won scoring three times in Saitama Stadium to beat Urawa Reds, 26th July.

Finke's new Urawa Reds stays second place of the league. On every match, newly introduced two or three youth-grown young players run on the pitch and they drive the team. Finke's team concept is "posession". Posession gives chances for and allows few chances against. For today they tried to play another match as what they were tought from their coach, but the posession leads few thrills and no goals for Urawa.

Until today, the team works better than what we have expected. Players and supporters believe the place where Finke and the club wish to go, but the discussion will be started about the place where we are now. The discussion includes, posession football suits hot and humid Asian summer league? posession kills the space to utilize? why chances do not linke to spontaneous shots?

Supporters understand the clubs new policy; not retreat but posession, not buying talents but growing youth, not immediate but longterm profit. I keep watching and supporting how Mr. Volker Finke solve this situation.

2009.07.12
Kashima returns perfectly, winning 42 points from 17 matches in the first half of 2009 J.League

Kashima 2-0 Omiya

Defending champions Kashima Antlers beats Omiya 2-0 to win 42th points from 51 points of first half 17 matches. It leaves Kashima eight points clear at the top, followed by Urawa, Niigata, and Kawasaki. The leagues's maximal points of the season is 72 ('06 Urawa and '07 Kashima) shows that Kashima runs outstandingly. The team understands the tactics well, based on the solid defense. The third season of coach Oswaldo de Oliveira reaches the top of his profession in Japan.

2009.06.24
Nagoya wins, Kawasaki-F survives in Osaka, Kashima fails in PK. AFC Champions League Round of 16

2008	2007

http://www.the-afc.com/en/afc-champions-league-2009
http://www.goal2002.com/2009/acl.html

(additional information on 29th June)
Nagoya meets Kawasaki. The draw Malaysia runs a J.league club out of semi-finals

2009.06.21
Marinos' pressure shuts out Urawa's possession soccer

Yokohama F-Marinos 2. Urawa Reds 0. in Nissan Stadium, 21th June

As the match is prepared as the part of 150th anniversary of the opening of the port Yokohama, or the celebration of Nakamura Shunsuke's returning from Scotland if Yokohama didn't fail to agree with him, it is in the news of the week.

The league is resumed after about a month break of World Cup Qualifier. Fortunately they won the ticket for South Africa, but the content of the National Team's match is far from the coach Okada's catch phrase of "be the best four of the World". All supporters are waiting for this weekend.

In the beginning, Urawa takes advantages and makes several chances. But after failing to score, Yokohama's fast attacks begin to shut Urawa's possession based football. In the second half, Yokohama completes beautiful counter attacks and stopped Urawa.

Today is the worst match of Volker Finke's new Urawa Reds. It is the first time for me that I cannot understand what's happening in the match of Finke's team. Several reasons are easy to be thought up. It is known that counter attacks are effective for beating this year's Urawa, World Cup Qualifiers break created a gap between young Reds and the Internationals, best of all today's Marinos worked very hard and solid. Every time after the match, Finke gave up an hint of the match but not today. He only said that "it is difficult to describe why things didn't go well today". Until today, Finks changes Urawa Reds significantly. He won't unveil every thing about today's question. But it is obvious that Finke's school goes into the new semester.

2009.06.13
Urawa, FC-Tokyo, Yokohama-M, and Shimizu pass the group league of J.League Yamazaki Nabisco Cup

Urawa vs Omiya in Saitama Stadium, 13th June

This league cup is played by 18 J1 clubs. 14 clubs are divied into group A and B to play single-round-robin group league. Leaders Urawa and FC-Tokyo with runner-ups Yookohama-M and Shimizu with seeded Kashima, Kawasaki-F, Nagoya, and G-Osaka (ACL participants) advance to quarterfinals.

In Saitama Stadium, Volker Finke's Urawa Reds is appearing in full view. Three Internationals are in Austraria for World Cup Qualifier and several main players are absent by injury, scoring six times to go to the top of group A. Finke's mixture of teens and over thirtys are worth watching even if you are not a Urawa Reds supporter.

http://www.goal2002.com/2009/nab.html

2009.06.10
Victory in Uzbekistan relieves us. Japan 1. Qatar 1 in Yokohama

Japan vs Qatar in Yokohama

Tired Japan could not win the festal home match against Qatar. Without three points from Tashkent, the match today must be uneasy one, because the last match for us is away Aussie one.
At the same time, I thought we could see the moment that they win the World Cup ticket. This is the fourth for Japan, few have seen the moment. France 98 was made up in Johor Bahru, 2002 was a home, and 2006 Germany was in neutral Bangkok.
Players must have wished they could show a better match in front of the full house Yokohama.

http://www.goal2002.com/2009/worldcupasiafr.html
http://www.the-afc.com/eng/competitions/fixtures/index.jsp_WC-2010-464.html

nikkansports (7 June): Tulio takes up coach Okada	EL GOLAZO (8 June): Okazaki w/ Okubo and Hasebe

2009.06.06
Uzbekistan 0. Japan 1. Japan qualified to FIFA 2010 world cup

2009.05.31
Japan 4. Belgium 0. in Tokyo, International A Match

Japan vs Belgium in Tokyo National Stadium, 31 May

Japan, beating Chile and Belgium 4-0 each, is ready for World Cup qualifier in Uzbekistan. Based on this test, the squad will be
GK: Narazaki (Nagoya); DF: Uchida (Kashima), Nakazawa (Yokohama-M), Tulio (Urawa), Nagatomo FC-Tokyo); MF: Endo (G-Osaka), Hasebe (Wolfsburg), Nakamura (Celtic), Nakamura Kengo (Kawasaki-F), Okubo (Wolfsburg); FW: Tamada (Nagoya) or Okazaki (Shimizu).

Althogh Belgium seems not to be their best, Japan succeeded in being in the top form in the right time. This national team is most interesting after Mr. Okada came to coach. Running midfilders with pass and go, side attacks and reasonable middle shots. This two matches were the best for confirming themselves what they have done. It was lucky for Japan that Belgium and Chile did not play dirty work not to let Japan moving the ball, and they are not good at counter attacking.
The next match will be on 6th June in Tashkent.

The referees today were Rob Styles' set from England. I don't know the reason of this invitation, asking for the J.League match is the best for learning another refereeing style.

Kirin Cup 2009
FIFA World Cup 2010 Asian Final Round

2009.05.28
Japan 4. Chile 0. in Osaka, International A Match

Both teams lack several leading players, Japan played steadily.

Attacker Honda Keisuke (ex Nagoya Grampus) is from VVV Venlo. He recieved Netherlands Eerste Divisie MVP of 08-09. Midfielder Hasebe Makoto (ex Urawa Reds) is the member of 08-09 Bundesliga champion VfL Wolfsburg. Midfilder Yamada Naoki has just contracted with Urawa Reds top team from youth and he got a break.

2009.05.16
Satisfactory Scoreless. Urawa Reds vs Gamba Osaka in Saitama Stadium

Urawa vs Gamab Osaka in Saitama Stadium

Two similar teams, who prefer attacks based on the ball posession, illustrated a top Japanese football match. From Urawa's side, match against Gamba is always interesting, because their proactive football does not hinder the opponents football (of course, the referee or Gamba supporters must not spoil the match). For the posession, Gamba is senior, while Urawa starts a new system after Volker Finke started to reform.
Althogh the match ended scoreless, the record of shots from Urawa 10, Gamba 5 prooves Reds' domination. Home supporters gave players a good clap afer the match.

"I was very happy to see that this team had many chances", said Finke.
"Urawa became skilful, but I don't think they gets stronger", said Gamba's coach Nishino.
"I don't see any point without the victory. Chances do not bring three points", said Reds leader Tulio.

Reflecting in each contexts, we cannot believe whole comments from them. But, which will settle the possesion battle in the next meeting in Osaka in August.

2009.05.06
Gamba Osaka, Nagoya Grampus, Kashima Antlers qualified to the R16, AFC Champions League Group League

Gamba struggled with "away whistle" in Shandong, without the playmaker Endo who was sent off in the first half won the narrow victory.

ACL on Goal2002
AFC Official

2009.05.05
Rainy National Stadium, Tokyo

Rainy National Stadium, Tokyo

National Stadium, we call it Kokuritsu, is our venue of legends. The rain matches well with the stadium. The technical quality of the match today was not so good for both teams, Urawa Reds came back with scoring twice in last ten minutes against Kashiwa Reysol and it ended dramatically.

The photo is the scene from back stand to view Shinjuku skyscraper over the main stand of Kokuritsu. I love the scene.

2009.04.29
Kashima Antlers scored their 1000th league goal

As 9 of top 10 clubs are "J.League original ten", the second most scored club is 1994 enterd Jubilo Iwata. Jubilo's attack was so tough that they has the highest annual recored of 3.15 goals per match in 1998. But no club reaches two goals per match for overall average. It is because the league has few large scored match, as the league has less power gap and Japanese do not like giving up :) I think.

J.LEAGUE DIVISION ONE CLUBS GOAL RECORDS (as of 04.29, 2009)

2009.04.25
Urawa Reds Winning Back their Will to Win

Storm in Fuku-Ari in Chiba

Volker Finke has been changing his team by degrees. From media reports, we know that he adopts the offense as his slogan, introduces four back system, and repeats physical and offensive training. On the season opening match against Kashima, Urawa demonstrated their snapshot of the cooperated offense, but they lost from Kashima's two brilliant counter goals. Although many were anxious about the defense constraction, Finke begun to answer without revealling his recipe. After the lose in Kashima, Finke's team won fifth and draw once while scoring eight times with only two goals against. Finke insists it is the result of the "offensive defense".

Finke, though, insists the results do not reflect a defensive mentality like that of the Italians, who pride themselves on winning "Uno-Zero." The manager says Reds are attacking, just not finishing enough.

"Yes, I'm the Italian coach of Japan," Finke said with a smile that spoke a lot about his team's early-season surge. "This 1-0 is a result of a very offensive defense because we attack very early on. It's not the Italian way; it's not Catenaccio.

"Not today, but in the game against Nagoya and the last game at home against Kyoto, you have to score. We had seven, eight, nine big opportunities to score. The games have come on a good level, but the scoring is not enough, it's true.

Reds edge JEF, move back to J1 summit. http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/sports/20090426TDY24304.htm

2009.04.11
Five Matches, Newly Promoted Montedio Yamagata Climbing Up

Chiba vs Iwata, still in bad form. Fuku-Ari in Chiba City

After five matches played, surprising is Yamagata's advance winning 10 points already for their first appearance in top league. While Jubilo Iwata (one of the pefect team in this decade) and Jeff United Ichibara Chiba (ex-Liverpool Alex Miller coaches Ivica Osim grown team) sitll won no victory. As substantial these teams stay in the bottom, league will be beyond calculation this year again.

In Urawa, just like Manchester United's Macheda, another 17-years-old striker is making his name. But I will keep his name secret, because he is not for sale.

2009.04.06
Football Under the Rocket? Under the Blossom?

House of Tomorrow (Schoolhouse) Frank Lloyd Wright 1921 Ikebukuro, Tokyo

There were J.League matches in Niigata on Saturday and in Yamagata on Sunday routinely and both home team enjoyed the victory, although both cities were near from the "rocket's" flight course. As Japanese has mixed feelings to Korean, many Korean origin Japanese are living together in Japan, we are not anger at or do not accuse of this act naively. --For instance, there is a Japan born, having South Korea nationality, North Korea international striker who played at World Cup Qualifiers in South Korea on last Wednesday, no it's not easy in Far East as well.--

The photo was taken in the evening after the J.League match in Saitama Stadium on Saturday. Cities around Tokyo are covered with many sakura (cerry trees) in full blossom now. We could enjoy the sakura season this year without any trouble.

2009.03.28
Japan 1 - Bahrain 0. 2010 World Cup Asian Qualifiers

Japan vs Bahrain in Saitama Stadium

Japan beat Bahrain in Saitama to move top of Group A in 2010 World Cup Asian Qualifiers on 27 March. Japan only needs 3 more points from three matches to qualify.
Japan controlled the match with short passes while giving pressures to Bahrain's ball. They prooved their discipline and we thank players and Nakamura's free kick, but we want richer matches. Is Asian group A match more interesting than best local league matches? We don't please ourselves for these Asian matches.

Japan: 4-2-2-1-1
Narazaki (GK) - Uchida, Nakazawa, Tulio, Nagatomo- Hasebe (&rarr Hashimoto), Endo - Nakamura, Okubo - Tanaka (&rarr Okazaki) - Tamada (&rarr Matsui)

FIFA World Cup 2010 Asian Final Round in goal2002,
official in AFC

2009.03.22
J.League, audience of 100,000,000

Shizuoka Stadium. 21 March

On this weekend, every clubs finished their home matches. J1 average attendance for each home is 21,703 and J2 is 8,516 which were 24,823 and 8,690 in 2008 opening respectively. The number of attendance depends on the weather and the visitting clubs, but it came down a little.

League has another statistical survey results that 54.6% of attendance went more than 15 matches a year and 33.9% attend their every home match. League is supported by the limited supporters. I don't think the circle is expanding after 2002 World Cup host.

"Japan has everythig. Wonderful stadiums, organized and interesting league. The league starts again this year. I want you to enjoy the league which fancies me from your heart and body. For football. For every sports."
This message is from Ivica Osim written on the coca-cola sponcered free paper distributed at the opening stadiums. Unfortunatelly, this message is distributed only to the limited supportes.

2009.03.14
Home victory brought a relieve to Urawa Reds

Supporters welcome new Urawa Reds in Saitama Stadium

Volker Finke won his first appearance to Saitama Stadium in fornt of fifty thousands attendance on Saturday 14th March.

For Urawa's reformation that the club asked Finke, they need a successful experience. Although they are developping, each Urawa players played Fike's lessons pleasantly. The third goal from Urawa was symbolic of the match that striker Edmilson uses left side space to build up, stopper Tsuboi breaks into the gap and brings the ball to the goal line, as he passes minus grounder ball to midfielder N.Yamada, another midfielder Robson Ponte rushes in and finishes. In my memory, very defensive player Tsuboi's attack entory has never been achieved before.

To wath the step that Finke builds the new system to Urawa is a interst of the 2009 J.League.

2009.03.11
Nagoya, G-Osaka, Kawasaki-F. Head Start for Happiness. ACL 1st Matchday, but...

AFC starts a new format of 2009 Champions League and four Japanese club participate the group league. East Asia clubs are allocated group E to H and each leaders and 2nd places will qualify to the Round of 16. Due to the 2009 format, each eastern group consists of a J.League club, a Korean club, a Chinense club, with other league club.

AFC Champions League 2009 10-11 March

AFC Official

2009.03.08
Solid Kashima, Fresh Yamagata, J.League 2009 opening match resutls

They did again in another away stadium to support the best match. Kashima vs Urawa 7 March 2009 in Kashima Stadium

Defending champions Kashima Antlers stay perfect under Oswaldo Oliveira. The league assigned Kashima vs Urawa as an opening match. Urawa, reported rapidly changing by new German coach Volker Finke, could be tough for Kashima, but the solid system keep Urawa's new attacking football off.

Two goals of Kashima were both from beautiful counter attack that proved Kashima players' understanding for the match becomes profounder than that of last year. Finke's Urawa Reds illustrated what he wants to do and what they have to be disciplined by themselves in champion's away stadium. Kashima's supporters are delighted at a victory, while Urawa's seemed to watch the new team with anticipation. I am sure that this season must revolve around these two clubs.

Promoted Montedio Yamagata made a great fist appearance in top league by beating Jubilo Iwata away match at the score of 6-2. 2008 Asian champions Gamba Osaka defeated Jeff United Ichihara Chiba 3-0 in Chiba with rich contents. Comeback Sanfrecce Hiroshima upset Yokohama F-Marinos 4-2 in Yokohama by their J2 influenced attacks.

Please inform me of your interest for J.League.

2009.03.06
Kashima, not being stuck in the league jam? 2009 league opening

2009.02.11
STRIKERLESS.. Japan 0-0 Australia. 2010 World Cup Asian Qualifier

Japan gave a precious point to Australia in 2010 World Cup Qualifier in Yokohama. The weight of the match is known as the most important in Asian group A, as only two undefeated teams met in fourth match day of themselves of five team league.

Both teams have similar formation; 4-2-2-1-1 for Japan and 4-3-2-1 for Aussie. Cahill and Tamada were placed on the top. Japan played a little more offensive while Australia played a little more defensive. Japan tried to have the advantage in the midfield and their pressing soccere created more chances, but the cross from the outside were blocked by thick 7-men defensive players. The gap between the chance and the goal, we felt the absece of a strker.

I am very intersted in Aussie side analysis. As Aussie players were forced to have a long trip from Europe and the top position does not let coach Pim Verbeek challenge, there were no smell of threat from Australia. I think this match was high level in the Asia and we enjoyed the tense atmosphere, but the fever in the pitch we felt was not the best in Asia.

Japan: 4-2-2-1-1
Tsuzuki (GK) - Uchida, Nakazawa, Tulio, Nagatomo- Hasebe, Endo - Nakamura, Matsui (&rarr Okubo) - Tanaka (&rarr Okazaki), Tamada

FIFA World Cup 2010 Asian Final Round

2009.02.06
J.League announced 2009 Fixtures

J.League Division 1 (J1) is 18 clubs home-and-away league from March to December 2009. Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Montedio Yamagata are promoted from J2.
J.League Division 2 (J2) is expanded to 18 clubs to which Tochigi SC, Kataller Toyama, and Fagiano Okayama are joined from JFL. They play "one-and-half" home-and-away league to have 51 matches each.
The league cup is played by 18 J1 clubs. 14 clubs are divied into two groups to play single-round-robin group league. Each leaders and runner-ups with seeded Kashima, Kawasaki-F, Nagoya, and G-Osaka (ACL participants) advance to quarterfinals.

Photo is from the announcement press interview.

2009.01.31
Off-Season, On Match for Japan

vs Bahrain. 28 Jan	vs Finland. 4 Feb	vs Australia. 11 Feb

Japan lost in Bahrain for the 2011 Asian Cup qualifier on 28th January. The first month of the year is nonbusiness days for Japanese soccer calendar. Although the J.league starts from early March to last in December, the international calendar does not allow international Japanese players to go for a vacation or prepare for the new season.

Last season was closed on early December 2008. After that most clubs played the emperor's cup and Gamba Osaka played club world cup in December. As there is no vacation for internationals in all countries, this year's burden is the World Cup Qualifiers battle against Australia is scheduled on 11th Febrary. Before they play against Aussie, they failed in Bahrain.

However, the Bahrain match is out of touch to national fans, - and there was no tv broadcast from Bahrain, it was the first time for modern Japan national team, they say -, only players and especially coach Okada become nervous for the result. They must prepare for the new season and the match, "probably being the most important one of the year" against Aussie.

2009.01.12
Volker Finke starts his new job in Urawa

He coached SC Freiburg from 1991 to 2007, and accepted the offer from Urawa last month to quell the confusion after 2008's Urawa's failure with Holger Osieck and Gert Engels.

There was a press conference on 10th Saturday. On the interview, after the self introductions, Finke introduced new coaches invited from Germany and Austria. He talked deeply about his responsibility and expectaions for coaches Karsten Neitzel, Ibrahim Tanko, and Masaki Morass. We learned his personality from that.

He also answers to questions from the press of the opinion of coaching. "Enjoy ourselves. Then, I think No pain, No gain." "The step to the goal is important. When you wake up in the morning, think about the goal and think what we should do for it."

It is a great pleasure to welcom Mr. Finke from Germany. There are few European coaches who has broad experiences and thinks a job in Japan as a CHALLENGE.

Urawa is the first to start new season's training of J.league clubs. New Japanese football season starts at the end of February.