J-League 2011

[Steelinho]

Final score: Japan NT 2-1 Team As One (J. League Select)

First half:
Yasuhito Endo 1-0
Shinji Okazaki 2-0

Second half:
Kazuyoshi Miura 2-1


All three were very good goals. (Especially Kazu's; I actually jumped out of my chair and shouted when he scored.) It was a great game to watch, even despite the occasion, and the start of the game (the anthem, Kimigayo, and the impeccable moment of silence) was more than moving. You could actually feel the emotions at Nagai Stadium just by watching it on TV.

Will post a highlights video when I get the chance/find one.

Did I mention that I loved Kazu's goal? Wow.

[Steelinho]

Highlights are on the SBS TWG website.

Also, it's been announced that Shimizu S-Pulse will play Ajax in a charity match in April 13, so that's pretty cool. Will be great to see Shinji up against Ajax again.

[Steelinho]

Yamazaki Nabisco Cup draw announced.



Format is a straight knock-out tournament, opposed to having the usual initial group stages, in order to save on fixture congestion from all the catch-up games around July. The first two rounds are two-legged affairs, while the rest are single-game knock-outs.


According to Ken Matsushima of Rising Sun News, the single-game rounds will be played in the following locations:

Looking at the breakdown of groups, and the fact that quarterfinal and semifinal are played within the same week, I think the following would be a good educated guess:

Top left section QF: Saitama
Bottom left section QF: Nagai or Banpaku
Left semifinal: The other Osaka (Nagai/Banpaku)

Top right QF: Toyota
Bottom right QF: Nissan
Right semifinal: Kokuritsu

[blahblah]

Uruwa have a tough job ahead of them.

The potential F-Marinos - Frontale clash could be a ripper.

[Steelinho]

True, we do have a tough one with Cerezo and Gamba both on that side of the bracket (as well as a Saitama derby), but I'd much rather those than the possibilities of Nagoya, Kashima, Shimizu, Yokohama and co. That path to the final would be an absolute nightmare.

[blahblah]

True, we do have a tough one with Cerezo and Gamba both on that side of the bracket (as well as a Saitama derby), but I'd much rather those than the possibilities of Nagoya, Kashima, Shimizu, Yokohama and co. That path to the final would be an absolute nightmare.

To be honest I was more thinking of Omiya.

[Steelinho]

Was brought to my attention earlier today that media in South America (MedioTiempo and GloboEsporte as two examples) are reporting that Japan are yet to officially withdraw from the Copa América, as COMNEBOL has "re-invited" them (at least, in my interpretation) and have given them 10 (now nine) days to respond.

If they do decide to go ahead with participating in the tournament, it will be interesting to see what kind of squad is compiled. We could end up seeing a Mexico-esque squad, with European players complimented with U-23 players. Or Zaccheroni could tear apart a few J. League sides, who'd have to make do without their stars during the catch-up games and extra cup matches.

[Agostinho]

^^ Haven't they already invited Spain in Japan's place though?

[Steelinho]

There's so much talk going on that it's really hard to tell what's true and what isn't.

There's also talk that Costa Rica and Honduras are on the cards as replacements, while the Spain talk originated from a Jonathan Wilson tweet.

One quote in the MedioTiempo article is actually from Julio Meiszner, the organiser of the tournament. "Nothing has been decided. We met, we discussed and put a period of ten days to see if Japan comes to the Copa America."

What we can make of all of this is anyone's guess right now. But I suppose we'll know soon enough.

[blahblah]

This was in on Monday

Asian champions Japan on Monday withdrew from the Copa America after the 11 March earthquake and tsunami, South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) spokesman Nestor Benitez said.

Japan Football Association president Junji Ogura had earlier travelled to CONMEBOL's Paraguayan headquarters to update the confederation on the situation with the quake and tsunami having brought to a halt action in the domestic J-League, creating a fixture backlog now set to be resolved in July.

"Our priority is to save lives and rebuild our nation. We regret we cannot participate at the Copa America," said Ogura, who was due later to go on to Argentina to convey Japan's decision likewise to the Argentinian Federation, Argentina being the host nation of this year's Copa from 1 to 24 July.

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/ ... 12061.html

[blahblah]

Japan are now reportedly reconsidering the decision and a final decision will be made on the 15th of April. Perhaps they've done a ring around of their overseas based players and found enough will commit to another tournament.

[Steelinho]

They'd be insane to pass up the offer, both for their national team and for their countrymen's morale.

[blahblah]

Japan have agreed to go to the Copa America in July. Great news.

[Steelinho]

Beat me to the announcement!


No real news on who they can/cannot take (there will apparently be dialogue between JFA and J. League clubs on this), but apparently:

All European players are likely to be available for the tournament (barring injuries)
Up to one player from each J1 club will be released (though no "top player", i.e. Endo/Ogasawara/Tulio)
Players from J2 teams will have to be released for international duty if called upon (meaning Gonda and Konno from FC Tokyo will probably go)


A few of us are also promoting the idea of sending Kazu there. Just because it would be awesome.

[blahblah]

All European players are likely to be available for the tournament (barring injuries)
Up to one player from each J1 club will be released (though no "top player", i.e. Endo/Ogasawara/Tulio)
Players from J2 teams will have to be released for international duty if called upon (meaning Gonda and Konno from FC Tokyo will probably go)

The sheer number of quality players in Europe will mean that a good squad can be assembled regardless and hopefully players like Tanaka, Endo and Maeda staying behind will create opportunities for some of the more promising players from the u20's & u23's. It will be good to see players like Hosogai get some game time and others like Miyaichi join the squad.

A few of us are also promoting the idea of sending Kazu there. Just because it would be awesome.

hahaha, why not