Japan's World Cup campaign set to kick-off

Japan begin their quest to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa when they meet Thailand at Saitama Stadium tonight.

The Blue Samurai warmed up for the fixture by recording a 0-0 draw with Chile at the National Stadium in Tokyo on January 26, before beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-0 at the same venue four days later.

Koji Yamase came off the bench to score twice against Bosnia and Herzegovina, but the Yokohama F. Marinos star is not expected to start against Thailand.

19-year-old Kashima Antlers youngster Atsuto Uchida is widely expected to feature in the run-on side in place of experienced Gamba Osaka defender Akira Kaji.

Coach Takeshi Okada has also named a 35-man interim squad for the upcoming East Asian Championship in China.

Kashima midfielder Mitsuo Ogasawara was a notable omission, while there was a surprise recall for Alessandro Santos, who recently rejoined Urawa Reds after spending a season at Austrian club Salzburg.

Okada looks set to become embroiled in a club versus country row with Urawa Reds coach Holger Osieck. The German-born Osieck has asked for the club's new star signing Naohiro Takahara to be excused from the East Asian Championship, with another long J-League campaign set to kick-off in March.

Japan kick-off their East Asian Championship campaign against DPR Korea on February 17, before they take on hosts China and finish off with a clash against arch-rivals Korea Republic.

Pan-Pacific Championship

The inaugural Pan-Pacific Championship gets under way in Hawaii on February 20, with J-League side Gamba Osaka set to take on David Beckham's Los Angeles Galaxy, in a match that is sure to generate plenty of interest in Japan.

The other clash sees fellow MLS side Houston Dynamo take on either Sydney FC or Queensland Roar, with the outcome of the A-League finals series set to determine which Australian team makes the trip to Hawaii.

The respective winners of the two matches meet in the tournament final on February 23.

Japanese Players Overseas

Shunsuke Nakamura and Koki Mizuno : Celtic

Shunsuke Nakamura has returned from a knee injury that plagued him towards the end of 2007 and was instrumental in Celtic's recent 5-1 Scottish Cup thrashing of Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. New signing Koki Mizuno was not included in the squad having only just completed his move from JEF United.

Tsuneyasu Miyamoto : Salzburg

With Alessandro Santos having rejoined former club Urawa Reds, ex-Gamba Osaka defender Tsuneyasu Miyamoto is now the sole Japanese player at Austrian club Salzburg. Miyamoto is currently injured and is unlikely to feature in the Salzburg starting eleven when the Austrian Bundesliga resumes on February 15.

Daisuke Matsui : Le Mans

Former Kyoto Sanga FC man Daisuke Matsui is enjoying a stellar season in the French Ligue 1, and he scored the winner in Le Mans' 1-0 win over glamour side AS Monaco last weekend.

Shinji Ono : VfL Bochum

Injury-plagued former Japan international Shinji Ono has joined Bundesliga club VfL Bochum from 2006 J-League champions Urawa Reds, and the ex-international made a dream start, coming off the bench to set up both goals in Bochum's come-from-behind win over high fliers Werder Bremen at the weekend.

Naoya Kikuchi : Carl Zeiss Jena

Former Jubilo Iwata star Naoya Kikuchi injured ligaments in training shortly after signing for 2.Bundesliga strugglers Carl Zeiss Jena. The midfielder, who is serving a year long domestic ban after his arrest for having sex with a 15-year-old-school girl last year, is expected to miss between four to six weeks of action for his new club.

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J-League Fixture List announced

The 2008 J-League fixture list has been announced, with the season kicking off on March 8 and winding up on December 6 after 34 rounds of matches.

The highlight match of the opening round is the clash between heavyweights Yokohama F. Marinos and Urawa Reds at Nissan Stadium.

Kashima Antlers kick-off their title defence by hosting J2 champions Consadole Sapporo in their opening fixture at Kashima Stadium.

The second week of action sees Consadole Sapporo host Yokohama F. Marinos at the Sapporo Dome, whilst Urawa take on a much-changed Nagoya Grampus FC at Saitama Stadium in their first home match of the season.

As usual the Golden Week holiday period is an action-packed affair, with the pick of the fixtures the Shizuoka Derby between bitter rivals Shimizu S-Pulse and Jubilo Iwata on May 3.

Omiya Ardija will host city rivals Urawa Reds at the newly renovated NACK5 Stadium on September 20, with Omiya sacrificing a big payday at the gate in favour of home advantage, having switched this fixture from the much larger Saitama Stadium.

The fixture list is subject to change as a result of the Beijing Olympic Games, whilst qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup also takes place throughout the season.

League Cup Fixture List announced

The draw for the 2008 League Cup has also been announced, with the group stage kicking off on March 20 and wrapping up on June 8.

Group A
Nagoya Grampus FC
Kyoto Sanga FC
Urawa Reds
Vissel Kobe

Group B
Tokyo Verdy
FC Tokyo
Shimizu S-Pulse
Jubilo Iwata

Group C
Kawasaki Frontale
JEF United
Kashiwa Reysol
Consadole Sapporo

Group D
Yokohama F. Marinos
Oita Trinita
Alberix Niigata
Omiya Ardija

Defending champions Gamba Osaka and J-League champions Kashima Antlers enter the competition at the quarter-final stage.

Transfers

Urawa Reds have pulled off a major coup by signing Japan international Naohiro Takahara from Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt for a fee of around 180 million yen.

Takahara joins fellow new arrival Edmilson, who was signed from Albirex Niigata to replaced the departed Washington. Also joining the Reds is highly-rated midfielder Tsukasa Umesaki, whose arrival from Oita Trinita reputedly cost Urawa in excess of 200 million yen. Makoto Hasebe departs in the opposite direction, having signed a deal with ambitious German side VfL Wolfsburg.

Reigning champions Kashima Antlers have been quiet on the transfer front, bringing in Masahiko Inoha from FC Tokyo whilst farewelling former club captain Atsushi Yanagisawa, who has signed for newly promoted Kyoto Sanga FC.

Chiba side JEF United have lost no less than five frontline players for the 2008 season. Koki Mizuno is set to join Scottish side Celtic, whilst Japan internationals Naotake Hanyu and Satoru Yamagishi have joined FC Tokyo and Kawasaki Frontale respectively. Hiroki Mizumoto has left for Gamba Osaka, whilst former captain Yuto Sato has departed for Kyoto Sanga FC.

Elsewhere the other major signings so far have seen Japan international Yuichi Komano join Jubilo Iwata from relegated Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Brazilian playmaker Magnum makes the switch from Kawasaki Frontale to Nagoya Grampus FC - who saw Keisuke Honda recently sign for Dutch side VV Venlo, Lucas Severino leaves FC Tokyo for Gamba Osaka, whilst Shimizu S-Pulse have signed a trio of highly-rated youngsters in Genki Omae, Shinji Tsujio and Takuya Honda, the latter of whom will hope to be named in the Japan Olympic Games squad later this season.

AFC Champions League

Three Japanese teams will take part in the 2008 AFC Champions League, with the competition's defending champions Urawa Reds entering at the quarter-final stage.

Last year's J-League champions Kashima Antlers will be confident of topping a group that contains Chinese side Beijing Guoan, Thai outfit Krung Thai Bank FC and Vietnamese side Nam Dinh FC.

Gamba Osaka face a much tougher-task when they take on 2006 A-League champions Melbourne Victory, Korean FA Cup winners Chunnam Dragons and Thai side Chonburi FC.

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Kashima Antlers win the Emperor's Cup to claim the double in Japan

Kashima Antlers claimed a League and Cup double by lifting the season-ending Emperor's Cup in front of a sell-out crowd of 46,357 fans at the National Stadium in Tokyo.

The Ibaraki giants never looked threatened after they opened the scoring in the eighth minute, when young defender Atsuto Uchida thumped an unstoppable drive into the far corner of Hiroshima shot-stopper Takashi Shimoda's goal.

Hiroshima were missing highly-rated youngster Yosuke Kashiwagi through suspension, after he picked up a yellow card in the southern club's 3-1 semi-final defeat of Gamba Osaka three days earlier. The Japan u-23 international was sorely missed, as Hiroshima rarely pressured newly crowned J-League champions Kashima, who beat Kawasaki Frontale 1-0 to reach the Emperor's Cup final.

A comfortable Kashima victory was completed when veteran striker Atsushi Yanagisawa came off the bench to set-up fellow substitute Danilo with a cushioned pass, with the former Sao Paulo midfielder fairly lashing the ball beyond Shimoda to end the scoring.

The win capped a remarkable season for Kashima - who won the treble in 2000 when they added the League Cup crown to their J-League and Emperor's Cup trophies, and who claimed the double in 2007 following their unlikely J-League triumph.

Kashima will take on Chinese side Beijing Guoan, Vietnamese outfit Nam Dinh FC and Thai team Krung Thai Bank in the group stage of the 2008 AFC Champions League, having ended the long Japanese campaign as the premier team in Japanese football.

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Emperor's Cup takes centre stage

Following a dramatic end to a league campaign that saw Kashima Antlers unexpectedly lift their fifth J-League crown, the season-ending Emperor's Cup has taken centre stage in Japan.

The 87th edition of Japan's oldest sporting competition has been whittled down to the last four from the more than 6000 teams that started, with J1 sides not surprisingly claiming all four semi-final spots.

In the first semi-final, Gamba Osaka will take on Sanfrecce Hiroshima at Ecopa Stadium in Fukuroi.

Gamba booked their place in the last four with a Fifth Round win over Oita Trinita, before they needed extra-time to see off a stubborn Shimizu S-Pulse in the quarter-finals.

Hiroshima were 2-0 winners over Jubilo Iwata in their Fifth Round tie, before beating FC Tokyo by the same scoreline in their quarter-final clash.

The other semi-final sees newly crowned J-League champions Kashima Antlers take on Kawasaki Frontale at the National Stadium in Tokyo.

Kashima have relied upon goals from wantaway striker Atsushi Yanagisawa to fire them into the last four of the Cup, after Yanagisawa struck deep into extra-time against both Ventforet Kofu and non-league outfit Honda FC, as Kashima struggled to book their place in the semi-finals.

By comparison Kawasaki Frontale have enjoyed a much easier run. They beat Vissel Kobe 3-0 in the Fifth Round, before barely breaking a sweat in registering a 2-0 win over J2 side Ehime FC in their quarter-final.

The final of the Emperor's Cup will take place at the National Stadium in Tokyo on January 1.

2008 Japan fixture list announced

The 2008 fixture list for the Japan national team has been announced, with the Blue Samurai set to embark upon qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Japan kick-off the year with friendlies against Chile and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the National Stadium in January, before their World Cup campaign gets under way against Thailand at Saitama Stadium on February 6.

Japan will also participate in the East Asian Championship, which takes place every three years and which will be hosted by China in 2008. Japan will face DPR Korea, Korea Republic and hosts China at the tournament in late February.

Takeshi Okada names training squad

New Japan coach Takeshi Okada has named his first training squad since taking over from Ivica Osim.

There were no surprises, although Kashima Antlers duo Daiki Iwamasa and Yuzo Tashiro were handed their first call-up's, as were FC Tokyo defender Yuhei Tokunaga and Gamba Osaka youngster Michihiro Yasuda.

Okada told the press that he would also consider Europe-based trio Naohiro Takahara and Junichi Inamoto of Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Basel midfielder Koji Nakata for selection in 2008. Only Takahara and Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura featured regularly in the Japan side under Ivica Osim.

Meanwhile Osim has left the intensive care unit of a Chiba hospital, as he makes a recovery from the stroke that ended his reign as Japan coach in November.

Japanese Players Overseas

Naohiro Takahara and Junichi Inamoto: Eintracht Frankfurt

Former Boca Juniors striker Naohiro Takahara has endured an injury-plagued second season at Bundesliga side Eintract Frankfurt, starting just four of his eight league appearances. Takahara's only league goal this season came in a 5-1 thrashing away at 1.FC Nürnberg.

Meanwhile Junichi Inamoto has enjoyed a brighter spell in Frankfurt, starting eleven league games at the mid-table German side.

Shunsuke Nakamura : Celtic

Scottish Player Of The Year Shunsuke Nakamura has started just seven leagues for Glasgow giants Celtic, having also endured an injury-riddled season. Nakamura's last league start came in a 3-0 win over Motherwell back on October 27, with a knee injury potentially ruling Nakamura out of Celtic's upcoming UEFA Champions League tie with Barcelona.

Celtic have refuted claims that they will allow Nakamura to exercise a get-out clause in his contract and return to former club Yokohama F. Marinos in 2008.

Daisuke Matsui : Le Mans

Winger Daisuke Matsui is back in favour at French Ligue 1 side Le Mans, with new coach Rudi Garcia's side flying high in fifth place in Le Championnat. Matsui, who is on the wish-list of Italian Serie A side Genoa, has started fifteen league games for Le Mans this season, scoring twice.

Koji Nakata : FC Basel

Former Kashima Antlers midfielder Koji Nakata has featured in all of Swiss club FC Basel's league games this season, with Basel currently six points clear of rivals FC Zürich going in to the winter break.

Tsuneyasu Miyamoto and Alex : Salzburg

Ex-Gamba Osaka defender Tsuneyasu Miyamoto has started ten of Salzburg's league fixtures, most recently in Salzburg's top-of-the-table clash with Sturm Graz on December 15.

Meanwhile ex-Japan international Alex continues to be linked with a move back to the J-League, with former club Urawa Reds the most likely destination for the versatile player.

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AC Milan crowned FIFA Club World Cup champions

Italian giants AC Milan have won the 2007 FIFA Club World Cup following a comprehensive 4-2 drubbing of Boca Juniors at Yokohama International Stadium.

Veteran striker Filippo Inzaghi scored twice in front of more than 68,000 fans, but Brazilian midfielder Kaka was the star of the show, setting up two goals and scoring one himself on his way to receiving the Player Of The Tournament award.

It took Milan just twenty-one minutes to open the scoring when Kaka surged into the box. His first shot was blocked, but he drove the rebound across the face of goal for veteran Inzaghi to produce a typical poacher's finish.

Boca Juniors were level less than sixty seconds later, when Claudio Morel Rodriguez curled over a cross from the left-wing that was expertly nodded home by Rodrigo Palacio.

Despite the scores being locked at 1-1 at half-time Milan were always in control, and they retook the lead five minutes after the interval when defender Alessandro Nesta profited from a fortuitous bounce to lash home a volley from close range.

Kaka then scored the goal that his stellar display deserved, before teeing up Pippo Inzaghi for his second of the match. Boca scored a late consolation through a Massimo Ambrosini own goal, but it did little to dampen the celebrations as Milan became the first European team to lift the revamped FIFA Club World Cup trophy.

The victory avenged a penalty shoot-out defeat to Boca Juniors at the 2003 Toyota Cup in Tokyo, with Kaka telling reporters that winning the Club World Cup with Milan was a "dream come true."

Milan will now look to defend their UEFA Champions League title when that competition resumes next February.

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AC Milan to meet Boca Juniors in FIFA Club World Cup Final

AC Milan had to work hard to overcome AFC Champions League winners Urawa Reds in their FIFA Club World Cup semi-final, eventually prevailing 1-0 thanks to Clarence Seedorf's late strike in front of 67,005 fans at Yokohama International Stadium.

The only goal of the match came from a quickly taken free-kick that saw Brazilian ace Kaka ghost passed Fabio Nene and cut the ball back to Seedorf from the byline, with the Dutch international making no mistake in side-footing passed Ryota Tsuzuki in the Urawa goal.

Carlo Ancelotti's game plan was clearly to occupy Urawa's marauding wing-back Takahito Soma with defensive duties, as Milan wingback Massimo Oddo turned the tables by running straight at Soma whenever the opportunity arose. Oddo's crossing was inaccurate, however, and striker Alberto Gilardino spurned the chances that did fall his way.

Milan looked far more dangerous following the introduction of veteran striker Filippo Inzaghi, and they eventually broke the deadlock in the sixty-eighth minute. The Reds could only conjure half chances, with striker Washington struggling to deal with the pace of Italian international defender Alessandro Nesta.

Substitute Nobuhisa Yamada made his long awaited return from injury, and the Urawa captain had arguably Urawa's best chance when Dida dived to save his powerful low drive late in the match.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti was naturally pleased to have qualified for the final of the FIFA Club World Cup, but warned the media that his team would face a far tougher test against Argentine giants Boca Juniors.

Holger Osieck was satisfied with his team's performance, and claimed that Urawa gave a good account of both themselves and of Japanese football. He stated that the Reds' next goal was to win the 3/4 playoff against Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel on December 16, and give striker Washington a rousing farewell before his departure for Brazilian club Fluminese.

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Boca Juniors book their place in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup

Argentine giants Boca Juniors booked their place in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup, but they failed to turn on the style in their 1-0 win over Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel.

Midfielder Neri Cardozo scored the only goal before a crowd of 37,255 fans at the National Stadium in Tokyo, while midfielder Fabian Vargas was sent off for a second bookable offence with twenty-five minutes remaining.

Etoile started the match with significantly more attacking intent than in their 1-0 win over Mexican side Pachuca, with ex-Liverpool defender Gabriel Paletta looking shaky at the back for Boca.

Tunisian starlet Amine Chermiti was causing problems with his penetrating runs, but gradually Boca began to play their way into the match, and they opened the scoring after thirty-seven minutes when striker Rodrigo Palacio cut inside a defender and slid the ball to Neri Cardozo, who beat Etoile keeper Aymen Balbouli with an unstoppable left foot drive.

The second half was a tense affair and Boca's cause wasn't helped when midfielder Fabian Vargas received his marching orders from Danish referee Claus Bo Larsen. Etoile saw a golden opportunity to equalise in stoppage time go to waste when substitute Gilson Silva headed wide at the far post.

Boca will now meet the winner of tomorrow's semi-final between reigning European champions AC Milan and current Asian champions Urawa Reds, with a crowd of around 70,000 expected to descend upon Yokohama International Stadium to witness that clash.

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Etoile du Sahel stun Pachuca at the FIFA Club World Cup

Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel stunned Mexican outfit Pachuca, beating their more fancied opponents 1-0 at the FIFA Club World Cup in Tokyo.

Just under 35,000 fans turned out at the National Stadium to witness CONCACAF representatives Pachuca dominate possession on a blustery afternoon in Tokyo, but Pachuca ended up on the wrong side of the scoresheet against their African opponents.

21-year-old Ghanian midfielder Moussa Narry scored the crucial goal in the 85th minute with a low drive that took a deflection off defender Leobardo Lopez and left Pachuca keeper Miguel Calero wrong-footed.

It was no less than Etoile deserved, with the Tunisian team absorbing constant bouts of Pachuca pressure before hitting their opponents with a classic sucker punch.

Etoile coach Bertrand Marchand praised his young side while admitting that Pachuca out-played his charges for long stretches of this match. Nevertheless Marchand admitted that his team was elated to have advanced to the semi-finals of the competition, where they will take on Argentine giants Boca Juniors at the National Stadium in Tokyo on December 12.

Pachuca coach Enrique Meza was happy with his team's performance, and claimed that the loss was "just one of those things."

Pachuca stars Damian Alvarez and Juan Carlos Cacho will have plenty to ponder on their long flight back to Mexico, on a day in which the highly rated duo failed to crack open a resolute Etoile defence.

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Sepahan advance to the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-finals

Iranian side Sepahan beat New Zealand outfit Waitakere United 3-1 to advance to the quarter-finals of the 2007 FIFA Club World Cup.

Iraq-born striker Emad Mohammed got Sepahan off to a dream start, scoring twice inside the opening four minutes to set up a comfortable win for the Iranians.

Sepahan were recently defeated in the 2007 AFC Champions League Final by J-League side Urawa Reds, but their win here sets up a rematch with Urawa just a month after the west Asian team lost to the Reds in their continental decider.

Sepahan made light work of semi-professionals Waitakere, with Emad Mohammed heading home the opener after Waitakere goalkeeper Simon Eaddy could only parry Jaba Mujiri's shot.

Sixty seconds later Mohammed produced a neat finish to flick the ball passed Eaddy with the Waitakere defence caught square, although there was a suspicion of handball in the build-up to the goal.

After totally dominating the first half the onslaught continued immediately after the restart, as forty-nine minutes in Sepahan midfielder Abdul Abu Al Hail hit an innocuous looking drive that was fumbled into the net by the hapless Eaddy.

With the majority of the 25,000 strong crowd voicing their support for underdogs Waitakere, the New Zealand side managed to pull a goal back after seventy-four minutes, with ex-Leeds United defender Danny Hay causing confusion inside the six yard box, although the goal was later credited as an own-goal by defender Hadi Aghily.

Waitakere produced their best spell in the final ten minutes of the match, but Sepahan managed to hang on to book a showdown with Urawa at Toyota Stadium on December 10.

After the match Waitakere coach Chris Milicich blasted his side for their poor defending, conceding that "stupid goals" had cost his team dearly.

Sepahan coach Luka Bonacic claimed that his side was looking forward to their rematch with Urawa, a team that Bonacic claimed to respect, but one that the Croatian feels is vulnerable after Urawa recently reliquished both their Emperor's Cup and J-League crowns within the space of a week.

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Kashima Antlers the unlikeliest of champions

Kashima Antlers are the unlikeliest of J-League champions.

On a day of drama in Japan, Kashima beat Shimizu S-Pulse 3-0 in front of 31,384 fans at Kashima Stadium on December 1.

With referee Yuichi Nishimura blowing full-time at Kashima Stadium, the video screen switched to a live broadcast from Yokohama, and desperate Antlers fans watched in amazement as bottom-placed Yokohama FC clung on to beat Urawa Reds 1-0 in front 46,697 fans at Nissan Stadium.

Urawa's shock loss propelled Kashima to their fifth J-League crown - but first since 2001, and sparked wild celebrations inside Kashima Stadium.

The win was savoured by Kashima's Brazilian coach Oswaldo de Oliveira, who had come under heavy criticism for his team's poor start to the season. De Oliveira paid tribute to midfielder Mitsuo Ogasawara, whose return from Serie A side Messina during the summer break rejuvenated the Antlers.

The win capped a remarkable run for Kashima, who won their last nine league matches in a row, including a pivotal 1-0 win over Urawa Reds in front of 62,123 fans at Saitama Stadium in the penultimate round of matches.

Throughout the season Kashima never once lead in the league, but the Ibaraki giants were sitting atop the table when it mattered most.

After seeing off the challenge of Gamba Osaka, Urawa looked certain to wrap up back-to-back J-League crowns. However a disastrous run of late season form, which saw them pick up just three points from their final five matches, put paid to the hopes of the Saitama side.

The loss brought to an end to a miserable week for Urawa, who entered the Emperor's Cup as defending champions but who were swiftly knocked out by J2 side Ehime FC on November 28. The Reds must now regroup for the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan, where they will face either Sepahan of Iran or New Zealand side Waitakere United in their opening match.

Meanwhile in the north of Japan, Consadole Sapporo capped a thrilling J2 season by winning the league thanks to a 2-1 win over Mito Hollyhock in front of 28,090 fans at the Sapporo Dome. Tokyo Verdy finished second after they drew 2-2 away at Cerezo Osaka, whilst Kyoto Sanga FC will play J1 side Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the promotion/relegation playoff, the first leg of which kicks off at Nishikyogoku Stadium in Kyoto on December 5.

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Final day fight as the J-League goes down to the wire

For the third season in a row, the J-League title race will be decided on the final day of the season.

That's because Urawa Reds lost 1-0 to second-placed Kashima Antlers in front of 62,123 fans at Saitama Stadium on November 24, thanks to midfielder Takuya Nozawa's solitary strike.

Kashima had defender Toru Araiba controversially sent off for a second bookable offence after just forty-two minutes, and referee Kenji Ogiya again grabbed the headlines when he sent off Kashima substitute Yuji Funayama for "spitting" with just seconds remaining. Urawa fans claimed that Funayama had spat in their direction, but television replays suggest that Funayama simply spat on the ground before attempting to take a throw-in.

The shock loss leaves Urawa one point ahead of Kashima in the J-League standings going into the final day of the season.

In Round 34 action, Urawa travel to Nissan Stadium where they will take on rock bottom Yokohama FC. Tens of thousands of Urawa fans are expected to make the trip to the port city for what will practically be a "home" fixture for the visiting side.

Kashima Antlers will host Shimizu S-Pulse at a packed Kashima Stadium, where Kenta Hasegawa's S-Pulse will once again hope to spoil an opponent's title hopes. Shimizu delivered a fatal blow to Gamba Osaka's chances of winning the league by beating them 3-1 at Nihondaira Stadium in Round 30, and Urawa were held to a 0-0 home draw by Shimizu in Round 32, when a Reds victory would have sewn up the title.

Elsewhere Ventforet Kofu were relegated after they slumped to a 2-1 defeat away at Kashiwa Reysol - Kofu's twentieth league defeat of a turbulent season. They will join Yokohama FC in J2 next season, with Sanfrecce Hiroshima currently occupying the promotion/relegation playoff place.

In J2, Tokyo Verdy and Consadole Sapporo are neck-and-neck on 88 points going into the final round of the season. Tokyo Verdy have a superior goal difference, whilst Kyoto Sanga FC are in third place in the standings on 85 points.

Tokyo Verdy travel to Nagai Stadium in their quest to claim the J2 crown, where they will face a tough-looking Cerezo Osaka in the final league match of the season. Consadole Sapporo arguably have an easier fixture - they host second-from-bottom Mito Hollyhock at the Sapporo Dome.

Kyoto Sanga FC travel to third-from-bottom Thespa Kusatsu, with the third placed finisher in J2 set to face Sanfrecce Hiroshima in a playoff to determine which team will take their place in the top flight next season.

Urawa Reds knocked out of the Emperor's Cup

Reigning champions Urawa Reds were dumped from the Emperor's Cup by J2 side Ehime FC on November 28, going down 2-0 to the Second Division battlers in their Fourth Round encounter.

That match had been rescheduled due to Urawa's exploits in the AFC Champions League, and the Saitama side paid the price for a poor performance, with Toshiya Tanaka scoring twice as Ehime FC registered a shock Cup victory.

Ehime FC will now face a demoralised Yokohama FC in the Fifth Round of Japan's oldest sporting competition.

Ivica Osim awakes from coma

Ivica Osim, the man who lead Japan to a semi-final place at the 2007 Asian Cup, collapsed after suffering a stroke on November 16.

The Japan Football Association revealed that the 66 year old Bosnian awoke from a coma on November 28, and has shown signs of regaining full consciousness.

Takeshi Okada likely to be named new Japan coach

With Ivica Osim unlikely to return to coaching in the foreseeable future, former Japan coach Takeshi Okada is expected to take over as coach of the national team.

Okada was coach of Japan at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, and he later went on to coach Consadole Sapporo and Yokohama F. Marinos, winning the J-League with the latter in 2003 and 2004.

Japan Olympic Team qualifies for Beijing

Yasuharu Sorimachi's team qualified for the 2008 Olympic Games the hard way, holding Saudi Arabia to a nail-biting 0-0 draw in front of 42,913 fans at the National Stadium in Tokyo on November 21.

Needing a draw to top the group and ensure qualification, Japan can thank Sanfrecce Hiroshima midfielder Toshihiro Aoyama for the point, after he cleared a goal-bound effort off the line after just nine minutes.

Japan had plenty of chances, but Shimizu S-Pulse striker Shinji Okazaki was in a profligate mood and the match ended scoreless.

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Crowds flock in as the J-League goes down to the wire

There were full houses aplenty on a weekend of drama in the J-League.

20,044 fans packed into Gamba Osaka's Expo '70 Stadium to witness Brazilian striker Bare score twice, as Gamba stayed alive in the 2007 title race by downing JEF United 2-0.

Yasuhito Endo was the architect of the victory, with the mercurial midfielder setting up both of Bare's goals in a man-of-the-match display. Bare, who was signed from Ventforet Kofu at the start of the season, took his goal tally to nineteen league goals in 28 matches, to join Kawasaki Frontale's Juninho at the top of the goal-scoring charts.

Albirex Niigata came from behind to beat FC Tokyo 2-1 in front of 37,851 fans at a wet Big Swan Stadium, with Edmilson scoring twice in the second half, to cancel out Naohiro Ishikawa's opener. Meanwhile Yokohama FC picked up their first point under Brazilian coach Julio Leal when they held hosts Kashiwa Reysol to a 1-1 draw at Kashiwanoha Stadium in Chiba.

Ventforet Kofu may have to start selling off what few assets they possess as they could be bound for J2 next season. The Yamanashi team were thumped 4-1 by Vissel Kobe at Kobe Wing Stadium - a result that leaves Kofu four points behind third-from-bottom Sanfrecce Hiroshima with three games remaining.

Hiroshima were beaten 3-1 by Shimizu S-Pulse in front of 16,508 fans at Nihondaira Stadium, in an early Sunday afternoon kick-off. Japan under-22 international Yosuke Kashiwagi opened the scoring for Hiroshima, but Shimizu equalised immediately courtesy of defender Daisuke Ichikawa's rasping drive.

The visitors were proving tough to break down, but Shimizu took advantage of a contentious penalty decision just after the hour mark, as Fernandinho was adjudged to have been fouled inside the box. Jungo Fujimoto stepped up to thump home an unstoppable spot-kick, and he returned the favour by setting up Fernandinho for Shimizu's third.

In other Sunday action, 14,752 fans squeezed into the refurbished Omiya Park Stadium to celebrate Omiya's return to their spiritual home, but those fans lucky enough to find tickets were left stunned as Oita Trinita spoiled the party.

Things started well for Omiya, who opened the scoring after three minutes through midfielder Yoshiyuki Kobayashi. The Kyushu club equalised through midfielder Yoshiaki Fujita, and substitute Shunsuke Maeda silenced the capacity crowd by scoring the winner two minutes from time.

Oita's stunning win pulls them five points clear of the relegation zone. Omiya Ardija are in fifteenth on 30 points, with Sanfrecce Hiroshima currently occupying the relegation/promotion play-off place. Ventforet Kofu are second-from-bottom, while Yokohama FC have already been relegated.

The weekend action was rounded out by Kawasaki Frontale's colossal tussle with Urawa Reds. Some 23,355 fans packed Todoroki Stadium to the rafters to witness an ill-tempered contest, with Washington's penalty cancelling out Yuji Yabu's early opener for Kawasaki.

J2

The J2 title race looks set for a thrilling climax. With three rounds remaining Consadole Sapporo lead the way, but they have seen their lead at the top of the table whittled down to just two points by Tokyo Verdy.

Sapporo crashed to a 1-0 defeat to mid-table Sagan Tosu, and after Sagan Tosu dumped J1 club Albirex Niigata out of the Emperor's Cup last weekend, 7,680 fans turned out at Tosu Stadium to witness the home side add another big-name scalp to their collection.

Tokyo Verdy failed to take advantage in the wet at Ajinomoto Stadium, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by fourth-placed Vegalta Sendai in front of 16,342 fans. Korean Ryang Yong-Gi opened the scoring for the visitors, and Tokyo required a late goal from Brazilian striker Diego to take a share of the spoils.

Kyoto Sanga FC beat Montedio Yamagata 2-1 in front of 10,523 fans at Nishikyogoku Stadium, to maintain their grip on third place in the standings.

In nearby Osaka 20,170 fans turned out at Nagai Stadium, and the home fans didn't leave disappointed as Cerezo Osaka crushed visitors Avispa Fukuoka 4-0. The victory keeps Cerezo's slim promotion hopes alive.

Consadole Sapporo lead the way on 87 points, but with Tokyo Verdy breathing down their necks on 85 points, Sapporo can ill-afford another slip-up. Kyoto Sanga FC currently hold down the promotion/relegation play-off place on 81 points, but Vegalta Sendai and Cerezo Osaka are still in the race on 80 and 78 points respectively.

Emperor's Cup

The Fourth Round of the Emperor's Cup was concluded on November 7, with Gamba Osaka and Kawasaki Frontale both advancing.

Gamba had to come from behind to beat J2 side Montedio Yamagata on penalties, after Yamagata had raced out to a two goal lead courtesy of strikes from Yohei Toyota and Tatsuya Ishikawa. Gamba responded through goals from Ryuji Bando and Takahiro Futagawa, and the Osakans ultimately prevailed 5-3 on penalties.

Kawasaki Frontale had an easier time against Gamba's cross-town rivals Cerezo Osaka, winning 3-0 at Todoroki Stadium thanks to goals from Juninho, Yusuke Mori and Chong Tese. Gamba Osaka will now face Oita Trinita and Kawasaki Frontale will play Vissel Kobe in the Fifth Round of the competition.

Teruyoshi Ito reaches 400 J-League games

Shimizu S-Pulse midfielder Teruyoshi Ito became only the second player to reach 400 games in the J-League.

The gritty defensive midfielder became the first player to reach the milestone having played all 400 games for the same club, with current Nagoya Grampus Eight midfielder Toshiya Fujita having played the bulk of his games for Jubilo Iwata.

The Shimizu-born Ito started his career in the J-League's inaugural season in 1993, and he went on to be capped 27 times by his country, representing Japan at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

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Thine Cup Runneth Over

The action in Japan switched from league football to the knock-out variety this weekend, with Gamba Osaka winning the Nabisco League Cup by defeating Kawasaki Frontale 1-0 at a packed National Stadium in Tokyo on November 3.

Japan under-20 international Michihiro Yasuda scored the only goal in the 56th minute, but after weathering an early Kawasaki onslaught, Gamba were worthy winners.

Referee Toshimitsu Yoshida waved away appeals for a penalty in the first half after Gamba midfielder Takahiro Futagawa was seemingly brought down inside the area by Kawasaki goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima, while Brazilian ace Magno Alves thumped the post with a blistering strike late in the second half, with Kawashima well beaten.



The Fourth Round of the Emperor's Cup got under way on November 4, with JEF United going down 3-1 to visitors Oita Trinita in one of only two all-J1 encounters. Defender Masato Morishige opened the scoring for Oita after just three minutes, with striker Daiki Takamatsu adding a second ten minutes later. Brazilian marksman Reinaldo pulled a goal back for the Chiba side, but playmaker Tsukasa Umesaki added a third for Oita before half-time, to send JEF United crashing out of the competition. Omiya Ardija went down 2-0 to Yokohama FC in the other all-J1 clash, with Kunihiko Takizawa and Shingo Nejime scoring the goals for Yokohama.

One of the shocks of the day came at Big Swan Stadium in Niigata, where mid-table J2 side Sagan Tosu stunned J1 high fliers Albirex Niigata 3-2. Sanfrecce Hiroshima had no such trouble in beating J2 side Shonan Bellmare 3-0, while Vissel Kobe beat Avispa Fukuoka 2-0. Struggling Ventforet Kofu knocked out Tokushima Vortis with a 3-1 win, Nagoya Grampus Eight beat Thespa Kusatsu by the same scoreline and Kashima Antlers saw off local rivals Mito Hollyhock 2-0 in an Ibaraki derby, with Yuzo Tashiro and Mitsuo Ogasawara scoring the all-important goals.

Japan Football League's Honda FC stunned J1 outfit Kashiwa Reysol, winning 3-2 in a pulsating contest at Kashiwa Stadium. The visitors went ahead through striker Junya Nitta, before Kashiwa fought back through goals from Tatsuya Yazawa and Brazilian midfielder Alceu. Nitta's strike partner Kodei Suzuki forced the game into extra-time with a 77th minute equaliser, and Suzuki was the hero for Honda FC, scoring a dramatic last minute winner to send the Hamamatsu-based team into the Fifth Round.

Honda FC's neighbours Jubilo Iwata had no trouble disposing of Juntendo University 6-1, but Jubilo's bitter rivals Shimizu S-Pulse needed penalties after they were held to a thrilling 3-3 draw by Meiji University at Nihondaira Stadium.

The students took a shock lead ten minutes before half-time, but when Shimizu forged ahead through late goals from Akihiro Hyodo and Naoki Aoyama, the result appeared a foregone conclusion. Meiji University had other ideas, and a dramatic last minute equaliser forced the match into extra-time. They appeared to have won it when they scored first in extra-time, but when Man-Of-The-Match Aoyama headed home with five minutes of extra-time remaining, the match went to penalties.

Only the crossbar saved Shimizu S-Pulse from an embarrassing exit, with the Shizuoka side flawless from the penalty spot. Meiji rattled the woodwork with their second penalty, as the students succumbed to an agonising defeat.

FC Tokyo needed an 82nd minute winner from Japan international Yasuyuki Konno to see off Japan Football League side TDK SC 2-1, while Yokohama F. Marinos were more convincing against current JFL leaders Sagawa Kyubin SC, winning 4-1, with striker Daisuke Sakata scoring a brace.

The Fourth Round is completed on November 7 when Gamba Osaka take on J2 side Montedio Yamagata, while Kawasaki Frontale face a tough prospect in another J2 outfit in the form of Cerezo Osaka, who are involved in a desperate race for promotion from the J-League's second tier.

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All eyes on Urawa

Round 30 of the J-League has thrown up some fascinating fixtures, but all eyes will be on a Urawa Reds side that takes on Nagoya Grampus Eight in a blockbuster at Saitama Stadium.

Urawa qualified for the final of the AFC Champions League in midweek, and Nagoya will be hoping to take advantage of any hangovers by putting one over the Reds in what is traditionally a hotly contested affair.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima kick off the weekend with what could be an ill-tempered clash against JEF United. Not only will Japan striker Hisato Sato come up against a team captained by his twin brother Yuto, but Hiroshima recently signed Bulgarian defender Ilian Stoyanov.

Stoyanov was sacked by JEF United for claiming that coach Amar Osim was "clueless" and would lead the Chiba outfit into the Second Division. Ironically it's Hiroshima who could be destined for J2 - if they lose this match, they are in danger of being overtaken by a fast finishing Omiya Ardija.

In other highlight matches Kashiwa Reysol and Vissel Kobe will slug it out in a battle between two sides promoted from J2 last season, Omiya Ardija will be fighting for their lives away at a hapless Yokohama FC, Ventforet Kofu will be desperate to take all three points from Yokohama F. Marinos at home, there should be a near-capacity crowd at Nihondaira Stadium as fourth placed Shimizu S-Pulse take on second placed Gamba Osaka, and the Tama River Derby between FC Tokyo and Kawasaki Frontale will be another hotly anticipated affair.

Yokohama FC relegated in record time

Yokohama FC were relegated in record time, after their 3-0 loss away at Vissel Kobe in Round 29 condemned the port city strugglers to Second Division football next season.

Having picked up a meagre eleven league points, the fan-created club look certain to finish with the lowest points tally since the J-League introduced a single stage season in 2005.

Yokohama FC have lost an embarrassing eight matches in a row, and their last point came in a 1-1 draw with Gamba Osaka back in Round 21.

That run of losses has been overseen by Brazilian coach Julio Leal, who was brought in to replace the sacked Takuya Takagi, with Leal yet to pick up a single point in charge of the embattled club.

Omiya Park Stadium open for business

After two seasons playing out of the home of their local rivals Urawa Reds, Omiya Ardija have finally vacated Komaba Stadium to return to their Omiya Park Stadium.

The compact ground has been undergoing extensive refurbishment and will host Omiya's final two home games of the season against Oita Trinita and Kawasaki Frontale.

The 12,500 capacity stadium features both seated and standing terraces and looks set to attract capacity crowds for Omiya's remaining two home fixtures, as the Squirrels of Saitama struggle to retain their J1 status.

The naming rights to the stadium have been sold to local FM radio station NACK5, and as such the stadium's official title is NACK5 Stadium Omiya.

Nabisco League Cup

The Nabisco League Cup Final will take place at the National Stadium in Tokyo on November 3, between Gamba Osaka and Kawasaki Frontale.

Gamba qualified courtesy of the away goals rule, after they lost 3-2 to Kashima Antlers in the second leg of their semi-final tie. Crucial goals from Ryuji Bando and Sidiclei fired the Osakans into the final, after Gamba won the first leg 1-0 thanks to a disputed Yasuhito Endo penalty.

Kawasaki Frontale came out on top of their clash with local rivals Yokohama F. Marinos, winning 6-3 on aggregate. Brazilian striker Juninho scored three goals in the tie, to add to his league-leading total of eighteen goals in the J-League.

AFC Champions League

Urawa Reds became the first Japanese side to reach the final of the revamped AFC Champions League, following their dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Korean champions Seongnam Ilhwa.

With the scores deadlocked at 4-4 after 210 minutes of pulsating football, goalkeeper Ryota Tsuzuki was the hero for Urawa, standing tall to save Choi Sung-Kuk's nervy penalty.

Reds midfielder Tadaaki Hirakawa then stepped up to drill home the decisive spot-kick and send the majority of the 51,651 strong crowd into raptures.

Urawa will now play Iranian side Sepahan in the final, who knocked out Kawasaki Frontale at the quarter-final stage.

Since the current AFC Champions League format was introduced in 2003, no J-League side had progressed beyond the knock-out stage of the competition. Jubilo Iwata, however, reached three successive finals of the old Asian Club Cup between 1999 and 2001 and were crowned continental champions in 1999, following their win over Iranian giants Esteghlal FC.

Japan National Team

Japan recorded a resounding 4-1 win over Egypt in their friendly at Nagai Stadium in Osaka on October 17.

The Blue Samurai were inspired by a superb performance from Vissel Kobe striker Yoshito Okubo. He opened the scoring with a stunning long-range drive, before heading home his second before the half-time interval.

Jubilo Iwata striker Ryoichi Maeda produced a cool finish just after the break, before Gamba Osaka full-back Akira Kaji rounded out the scoring for Japan, driving home a low strike from just inside the area.

Mohamed Fadl scored a consolation goal for a heavily depleted Egyptian side.

Japan Olympic Team

In a country that holds bad memories for Japanese football fans, Japan's Under-22 National Team lost 2-1 to Qatar in their most recent qualifying match for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The result could come back to haunt Japan's conservative coach Yasuharu Sorimachi, particularly after Japan opened the scoring through Shimizu S-Pulse defender Naoki Aoyama's scrappy finish.

Qatar equalised through Hasan Al Haydos with just twelve minutes remaining, and with the Qatari's marauding forward in search of a winner, FC Tokyo midfielder Masahiko Inoha was adjuged to have handled inside the area deep into stoppage time, and midfielder Majdi Siddiq made no mistake from the spot to fire Qatar to a 2-1 win.

The loss brought back memories of Japan's dramatic collapse against Iraq in a qualifier for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, when they conceded a stoppage time equaliser to the Iraqi's in Qatar, with the 2-2 draw ultimately costing Japan a place at USA '94.

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Urawa Reds In Box Seat To Defend Their J-League Crown

Urawa Reds lead the way in the J-League with seven rounds remaining, having dropped just five points since the mid-season summer break.

Urawa's latest victory came in front of 47,755 fans at a rain-soaked Saitama Stadium, with Brazilian midfielder Robson Ponte scoring a late winner.

Gamba Osaka also needed a stoppage time winner from striker Bare to beat lowly Oita Trinita 1-0. For the second week in a row Bare's stoppage time goal kept Gamba in the title race, but the Osakans are still six points behind league leaders Urawa.

Third placed Kashima Antlers needed a goal from their Brazilian striker Marquinhos midway through the second half, to see off a stubborn Sanfrecce Hiroshima at Big Arch Stadium.

JEF United beat FC Tokyo in a thriller played in atrocious conditions at Fukuda Denshi Arena. The hosts stormed out to a three goal lead thanks to clinical strikes from Tatsunori Arai and Kohei Kudo, before Koki Mizuno converted a second-half penalty for the Chiba side. Tokyo stormed back through goals from Japan international Yasuyuki Konno and Brazilian striker Lucas Severino, but the capital club ultimately ran out of time in their quest to find an equaliser.

The shock of the round came at Nissan Stadium, where Omiya Ardija battled to a 2-0 win over hosts Yokohama F. Marinos, courtesy of goals from ex-F. Marinos midfielder Takashi Hirano and striker Kota Yoshihara.

The victory means that Omiya Ardija are just one point behind Ventforet Kofu, who hold the all-important promotion/relegation playoff place. Kofu finished with nine men in their 1-1 draw away at Kawasaki Frontale, after defenders Arata Sugiyama and Michitaka Akimoto were both sent off. Ken Fujita opened the scoring early on for Kofu, but Kawasaki midfielder Hiroyuki Taniguchi scored a stoppage time equaliser that seriously dents Kofu's hopes of survival.

The highlight fixtures of the next round see FC Tokyo looking to avenge a League Cup quarter-final defeat to neighbours Yokohama F. Marinos, Omiya Ardija travel to an out-of-sorts Albirex Niigata, Shimizu S-Pulse face Nagoya Grampus Eight in a "Tokai Derby," Ventforet Kofu face a JEF United side that is chasing its sixth win in a row, Gamba Osaka are on the road against a tough-looking Kashiwa Reysol, and Urawa return to their spiritual home of Komaba Stadium to take on Oita Trinita.

Consadole Sapporo still lead the way in J2, but their lead has been cut to just four points after Tokyo Verdy hammered the northern outfit 5-1 in front of 11,833 fans at Ajinomoto Stadium on September 30.

Diego scored a hattrick for the fallen giants, whilst Hulk scored his thirty-first goal in just his thirty-sixth game of a remarkable season.

Elsewhere Kyoto Sanga FC missed a chance to pull away from Vegalta Sendai in third place on the table, after they conceded two late goals to draw 2-2 away at Shonan Bellmare. Sendai responded by beating Mito Hollyhock 1-0 on the road, despite losing midfielder Naoki Chiba to a thirty-fourth minute red card.

Nabisco League Cup

League football takes a break next week as the Nabisco League Cup resumes at the semi-final stage.

On October 10, Yokohama F. Marinos host Kawasaki Frontale in a Kanagawa Derby, while Gamba Osaka welcome Japan's most successful team Kashima Antlers to Expo '70 Stadium.

The return legs take place three days later.

AFC Champions League

Just as they did in the first-leg of their quarter-final clash with Jeonbuk Motors FC, Urawa Reds conceded a late equaliser to Korean opposition in their AFC Champions League semi-final clash in midweek.

K-League giants Seongnam Chunma raced out to an early lead through their Brazilian striker Mota, but Urawa roared back thanks to strikes from Tatsuya Tanaka and Robson Ponte. Midfielder Kim Do-Heon kept Seongnam in the tie with a late equaliser, however that failed to prevent Urawa's German coach Holger Osieck from claiming that he was "delighted" with the result.

Kawasaki Frontale were knocked out at the quarter-final stage, losing on penalties to Iranian side Sepahan after both legs of their final eight clash ended in 0-0 draws.

Japanese Players Overseas

Junichi Inamoto and Naohiro Takahara : Eintracht Frankfurt

After featuring prominently in the early part of the season, midfielder Junichi Inamoto has been ruled out for the foreseeable future due to a torn stomach muscle. He joins Naohiro Takahara on the sidelines, who has returned to Japan to receive treatment on a persistent knee injury.

Shunsuke Nakamura : Celtic

Last season's SPL Player Of The Year Shunsuke Nakamura has also been labouring under injury, and he played just six minutes of Celtic's dramatic 2-1 UEFA Champions League win over reigning holders AC Milan, coming on as a late substitute.

Koji Nakata : FC Basel

Combative midfielder Koji Nakata has been an ever-present for FC Basel, and his team booked their place in the UEFA Cup group stage by thrashing Bosnian side FK Sarajevo 8-1 on aggregate in their first round clash.

Daisuke Matsui : Le Mans

Daisuke Matsui has played all but one of high-flying Le Mans' Ligue 1 fixtures this season, with the team from north-western France currently lying in fifth place on the league table.

Alessandro Santos and Tsuneyasu Miyamoto : Salzburg

Both Alex and Tsuneyasu Miyamoto have featured only sporadically for Austrian club Salzburg this season, with neither player featuring in Salzburg's most recent 1-0 UEFA Cup win over AEK Athens - with the Greek side going through 3-1 on aggregate.

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Urawa in the box seat as Gamba begin to choke

Urawa Reds are once again four points clear of second placed Gamba Osaka, following Gamba's shock 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Yokohama F. Marinos.

A near-capacity crowd of 19,419 turned out at Expo '70 Stadium on September 16 but the majority went home stunned as a brace from Daisuke Sakata dented Gamba's title aspirations.

A day earlier, a crowd of 22,675 turned out in Hiroshima - their largest gate of the season, as Urawa easily disposed of hosts Sanfrecce 4-2, with livewire striker Tatsuya Tanaka taking his goal tally to eight goals in twelve games since returning from injury.

At the other end of the table, Ventforet Kofu put up a valiant display in the so-called Mount Fuji derby before ultimately going down 2-0 to Shimizu S-Pulse in front of 18,101 fans at Nihondaira Stadium.

With Omiya Ardija losing 2-0 to Jubilo Iwata, both clubs look doomed to spend the rest of the season in the relegation zone, given that Oita Trinita have pulled five points clear of the bottom three, following their most recent 2-2 draw with Kawasaki Frontale.

Jubilo Iwata coach Adilson resigns

Former fan favourite Adilson resigned as coach of Jubilo Iwata in the aftermath of Jubilo's 1-0 defeat to local rivals Shimizu S-Pulse in the Shizuoka derby on September 1.

The Brazilian had already been under pressure following Jubilo's first derby loss of the season in May, and his propensity to chop and change his starting eleven meant that Jubilo struggled to gain any momentum throughout the season.

Former assistant Atsushi Uchiyama has been promoted to first team coach, and he oversaw a 2-0 away win over strugglers Omiya Ardija in his first match in charge, in a match notable for the return to the starting eleven of midfielder Yoshiaki Ota and striker Robert Cullen, both of whom had fallen out of favour with Adilson.

2007 has been a difficult year for Jubilo Iwata, with midfielder Naoya Kikuchi sacked by the club midway through the season after admitting that he had sexual relations with a fifteen year old schoolgirl.

AFC Champions League

Both of Japan's representatives reached the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League, with Urawa Reds drawn against defending Asian champions Jeonbuk Motors FC.

Urawa won the first leg of their quarter-final, with goals from Makoto Hasebe and Tatsuya Tanaka propelling them into a two goal lead, before a late strike from Choi Jin-Cheul pulled back what could be a crucial away goal for the K-League side.

Elsewhere Kawasaki Frontale will be confident of progression after they held Iranian side Sepahan to a 0-0 draw at the Foolad Shahr Stadium in Esfahan.

The return legs take place on September 26.

Japan National Team

The Japan National Team's recent tour game tour of Europe was a success, with Japan declared the winner of a four nation tournament also featuring hosts Austria, Switzerland and Chile.

Japan held Austria to a 0-0 draw in front of a capacity crowd at the Woerthersee Stadion in Klagenfurt before succumbing in a penalty shoot-out, with Yokohama F. Marinos defender Yuji Nakazawa missing the crucial spot-kick.

Japan then came from two goals down to beat Switzerland 4-3, scoring four second half goals thanks to a brace of penalties from Celtic star Shunsuke Nakamura, a header from Seiichiro Maki and a winning goal from substitute Kisho Yano.

Japan National Women's Team

Despite an impressive display, Nadeshiko Japan failed to progress to the quarter-finals of the FIFA Women's World Cup in China.

Japan opened their campaign with a 2-2 draw against England. In front of a pro-England crowd, Aya Miyama opened the scoring for Japan with a neatly struck free-kick, but Japan appeared to be heading for defeat when England's Kelly Smith scored two late goals. Miyama was the hero, however, stepping up to score a stoppage time equaliser with another brilliant free-kick.

In their next match Japan scored a stoppage time winner through Yuki Nagasato to record a narrow 1-0 victory over Argentina, before reigning world champions Germany proved too strong, knocking Japan out of the tournament with a 2-0 victory.

Japan Olympic Team

After grinding out a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia in oppressive humidity in Damman on September 8, Japan returned to the National Stadium in Tokyo four days later to edge passed Qatar with a 1-0 victory in their lastest qualifying game for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

FC Tokyo midfielder Yohei Kajiyama scored the only goal after just four minutes, as Japan overcame the sending off of Hosei University midfielder Takuya Honda to take their tally to seven points from the opening three games.

Only the group winner progresses to the Olympic tournament, and coach Yasuharu Sorimachi has declared himself satisfied with his team's performances so far. The gloss was taken off this win, however, by the news that Yohei Kajiyama had suffered a serious injury that will rule him out for the rest of the qualifying tournament.

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Shizuoka Ecopa Stadium

Shizuoka Ecopa Stadium, built in 2001, in Shizuoka Prefecture was a 2002 FIFA World Cup venue where England lost 2-1 to Brazil in the quarterfinals.



J-League side Jubilo Iwata play their more high profile matches at the 51,349 capacity Ecopa Stadium, which they share with local rivals Shimizu S-Pulse.



Shizuoka 'Ecopa' Stadium
Ogasayama Sports Park, Aino, Fukuroi City 437-8666
Nearest train station: JR Aino Station
Nearest bus stop: Ogasayama Undo Koen




Listen to the sounds of Ecopa Stadium

Guide To Shizuoka

J-League Stadiums


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Derby day looms as Urawa hold on to their lead

Urawa Reds have maintained their four point lead over Gamba Osaka, following their 2-1 away win at Vissel Kobe in midweek Round 23 action.

Recently recalled Japan international Tatsuya Tanaka scored twice to take his tally to seven goals in ten matches, with Keisuke Kurihara scoring a late consolation for Kobe.

Gamba Osaka kept up the chase by hammering third placed Kashima Antlers 5-1. Gamba were missing Brazilian striker Magno Alves through injury, so Ryuji Bando partnered Bare up front, and both scored a brace, with Yasuhito Endo also getting on the scoresheet.

Any illusions third placed Kashima had of splitting the Urawa-Gamba axis at the top of the table were ruthlessly shattered, as Gamba hammered the most successful team in J-League history with maximum efficiency.

Shimizu S-Pulse beat Yokohama FC 1-0 thanks to a late Cho Jae-Jin strike, while local rivals Jubilo Iwata were the latest victims of the Yokohama F. Marinos juggernaut, losing 4-1 despite taking the lead at Mitsuzawa Stadium.

JEF United thrashed Oita Trinita 6-0 - scoring four goals in the last seven minutes of the match, whilst FC Tokyo scored three in the final three minutes to overwhelm Sanfrecce Hiroshima 5-0 in Hiroshima.

The results mean that Urawa still lead the way from Gamba Osaka, with Kashima in third and Shimizu S-Pulse hot on their heels in fourth.

At the other end of the table things look hopeless for last placed Yokohama FC.

Second-from-bottom Omiya Ardija are yet to record a victory under new coach Satoru Sakuma, and they desperately need to take something from the Saitama derby against cross-town rivals Urawa Reds in Round 24. The first encounter between these two teams produced a 1-1 draw at a rain-soaked Saitama earlier in the season, and Omiya - who are missing injured goalkeeper Hiroki Aratani, would arguably settle for a point against their table topping local rivals.

Meanwhile Jubilo Iwata host Shimizu S-Pulse at Ecopa Stadium, seeking revenge for a 2-1 loss to their local rivals earlier in the season. That match was played amidst a white-hot atmosphere at Nihondaira Stadium, and with Jubilo experiencing mixed results since the J-League resumed after the summer break, the pressure will be on coach Adilson to achieve a positive result in this season's second installment of the Shizuoka derby.

In J2 Consadole Sapporo lead the way and look almost certain to achieve promotion, with Kyoto Sanga FC occupying second place. Vegalta Sendai, Avispa Fukuoka and Shonan Bellmare round out the top five.

Yokohama FC sack coach Takuya Takagi

Yokohama FC announced the sacking of coach Takuya Takagi on August 27, bringing in highly experienced Brazilian coach Julio Leal as his replacement.

Leal has his work cut out for him if Yokohama FC are to miraculously avoid the drop, with the port city minnows some six points behind second-from-bottom Omiya Ardija.

Japan National Team

A new look Japan beat Cameroon 2-0 in a friendly at the Kyushu Oil Dome in Oita on August 22, thanks to goals from Urawa defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka and Yokohama F. Marinos midfielder Koji Yamase.

Defender Tulio opened the scoring with a firm header, however it took a late strike from midfield maestro Yamase to wrap up proceedings.

Urawa striker Tatsuya Tanaka and Vissel Kobe man Yoshito Okubo both received international recalls, and they looked Japan's most effective players going forward, although a spate of second half substitutions curtailed Japan's attacking instinct.

Japan Olympic Team

Japan limped to a 1-0 win over Vietnam after a tepid display in the opening game of the final qualifying round for the Beijing Olympics.

Shimizu S-Pulse defender Naoki Aoyama scored the only goal of the game just before the half-time break, as Japan missed countless opportunities to extend their lead against an overwhelmed Vietnamese side.

Japan's next match is against Saudi Arabia on September 8, with only the group winner progressing to the Olympic tournament in 2008.

Japanese Players Overseas

Shunsuke Nakamura : Celtic

Last year's Scottish Player Of The Season has started three of Celtic's four league fixtures and both of their UEFA Champions League qualifying fixtures so far, scoring twice in a 5-0 win over Hearts. The Glasgow club have been drawn against holders AC Milan, Portugese giants Benfica and Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donestk in the Champions League group stage, in which Nakamura is expected to play a pivotal role.

Daisuke Matsui : Le Mans

With conjecture suggesting that Daisuke Matsui would leave Le Mans over the summer brushed aside, the diminutive midfielder has had an excellent start to the season. He has started every game for Le Mans this season, and scored the opening goal in the club's 3-1 loss to Monaco.

Takayuki Morimoto : Catania

The Italian Serie A season kicked off on August 25 and Takuyuki Morimoto opened his campaign in spectacular style, curling home the opening goal of Catania's 2-2 draw with Parma.

Koji Nakata : FC Basel

Koji Nakata was another player expected to leave his club over the summer, however the defensive midfielder has stayed on at FC Basel and started in every league game so far. He has also been active in the UEFA Cup qualifying round, where his team booked their place in the first round proper with a comprehensive victory over Austrian outfit SV Mattersburg.

Tsuneyasu Miyamoto and Alex : Salzburg

Ex-Gamba Osaka defender Tsuneyasu Miyamoto and former Urawa Reds wing-back Alex have featured regularly for Salzburg this season. Both started the club's most recent 1-0 league loss away at Rapid Vienna, however Alex was absent from the team that was knocked out in UEFA Champions League qualifying by Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk.

Copyright © Michael Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com


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Everywhere you go, you always take the weather...

Iraq coach Jorvan Vieira must have wondered why his team bothered leaving Bangkok at all. After coming to the somewhat disconcerting realisation that his team had no accommodation booked upon their arrival in Kuala Lumpur, Vieira probably let fly with a few choice words two days later when he stepped out on to the pitch at the cavernous Bukit Jalil Stadium. Greeted by the now familiar site of torrential rain lashing the ground, the pitch was visibly cutting as the two teams warmed up.

Outside the ground fans could have been forgiven for preparing their arks, as apocalyptic-looking rain clouds drifted over the city, seemingly determined to converge directly above the bafflingly large stadium. If the Petronas Towers are the obvious symbol of Kuala Lumpur then Bukit Jalil is a symbol of excess - it is difficult to envisage how this behemoth of a stadium could ever be filled to capacity. Nevertheless there was a noticeably improved atmosphere for the semi-final clash between Iraq and Korea Republic, as thousands of noisy Korean fans forced their Iraqi counterparts to lift their own game.

Coach Vieira had also called on his team to lift their game ahead of this clash, but the heavy, rain-sodden pitch made it clear from the outset that nothing short of a battle of attrition would settle this encounter. And so it was, as both teams punched and counter-punched in a nervy opening forty-five minutes. Both teams had chances, with the penetrative Hawar Mohammed Taher not enjoying the best of tournaments in front of goal for the Iraqi's, whilst the livewire Ki Hun-Yeom lacked the composure to finish off a couple of decent chances for the Koreans.

With incessant rain continuing to lash the ground and both teams tiring visibly, it seemed inevitable that extra-time would follow a tense, scoreless second half. Despite the fact that both teams were desperate to land a knock-out blow, neither could conjure the goal they so willingly desired and after one hundred and twenty minutes of heavy going, the match was ultimately decided by the dreaded penalty shoot-out. History will show that Iraq goalkeeper Noor Sabri was the hero of the piece, brilliantly tipping Ki Hun-Yeom's low penalty around the post. Substitute Ahmed Mohammed coolly converted Iraq's next penalty - their fourth, and Iraq needed no more as Kim Jung-Woo hit the post with Korea's subsequent spot-kick.

An emotional Jorvan Vieira paid tribute to his side, which was cobbled together from players plying their trades in a variety of Middle Eastern leagues - some of whom have not returned to their war-torn country for more than two years. Iraq had previously never progressed beyond the quarter-final stage of the Asian Cup - they now have the chance to create history and cause a genuine shock by claiming the crown as Asia's best. They will have to overcome a highly experienced Saudi Arabia to do so, but given that Iraq have defied the odds throughout the tournament, few would bet against a fairy-tale finish.

Judging by the number of free tickets distributed for this semi-final clash, the Asian Football Confederation will be working over-time to try and rustle up a decent crowd for Sunday's final at the 90,000 capacity Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. With conjecture suggesting that the next Asian Cup will take place in January to avoid the heat of a Qatari summer, how AFC officials must have wished that they reconsidered their decision to hold this summer's tournament during the rainy season. One thing is certain, Jorvan Vieira won't be surprised if the weather threatens to rain on his parade on Sunday, and he won't be the only one.

Copyright © Michael Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com

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