Stuttering Grampus Haunt Leaders

Grampus

Another less than convincing performance. Another three points in the bag. Eight games into the season (5 league, 3 ACL) Nagoya have only looked sharp in the 3-0 away win against Tianjin Teda last Tuesday. However, they sit three points off the pace in J1 and look set to progress in the ACL. Their sixth place position in J1 may be an ominous sign for the teams above them, when Grampus’ schedule eases off slightly and they are able to concentrate on putting on the style.

Yesterday’s 1-0 victory over J1 newcomers Sagan Tosu owed much to the fine form of Seigo Narazaki in goal, as the former Japan custodian made several outstanding saves to deny the visitors. Sagan outshot the home team 14-7 and even had slightly the better of possession, but could not find a way past Narazaki.

This was another display from Tosu that suggests that they will prove a more than useful addition to the J1 ranks. They made a bright start to the game with Yohei Toyoda and Fujita both trying their luck early on, but failing to trouble Narazaki. THeir promising start was undone on the half hour mark, when Columbian midfielder Danilson won the ball near the centre line. His perfectly hit, early cross-field pass picked out Kensuke Nagai and the U-23 made sure with a diving header to give Nagoya the lead. The two teams traded tentative attempts over the remaining 20 minutes of the half, but neither could find the accuracy needed to trouble the scorers.

The visitors came out after half time determined to get back on level terms. They dominated the number of chances and would surely have earned the point they deserved had it not been for Narazaki between the posts. Seigo made two outstanding saves to maintain a clean sheet and give the home team all three points. The first of the big saves came 20 minutes into the half, as he stood his ground brilliantly to deny former teammate Toyoda a clear sight of goal. after he had burst into the box. The second big save came three minutes later when a deflected shot looked set to dip into the top left corner of the his goal. Somehow, the 36-year old managed to recover his balance and launch himself to make a fingertip save the pushed the goal-bound effort past the woodwork.

Sagan had further chances to get on the scoreboard but a combination of more fine work by Narazaki and lack of composure from their forwards meant that they left Toyota Stadium empty handed. For Grampus this was another game that demonstrated that although manager Stojkovic has yet to find a style that fully exploits the talents of Kanazaki and Nagai, he can still motivate the team to get the wins when it matters. The team looks nicely placed to launch another title challenge, as the strength-in-depth they have this season should see them rise to the top again.

Nagoya Pick-up Opening Win

Grampus

Grampus get all three points from their opening game of the J1 season. An impressive feat since this was a game S-Pulse should really have won. They had the the better of the possession (57%-43%) and more shots (9-5), but were the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline.

Although the home team got off to a reasonable start, and put a little pressure on the Shimizu goal in the opening minutes, with Josh Kennedy going close with an early header, they soon found themselves under pressure. Josh’s Aussie compatriot Alex Brosque was looking lively for the visitors and kept Masukawa and Tulio busy at the back. However, it was Kennedy who scored the decisive goal calmly converting a 32nd minute penalty after Shohei Abe had been obstructed in the box. (THe Shimizu players were reduced to trying to claim the foul had taken place outside the box, despite clear evidence otherwise.) Alex forced a fingertip save from Narazaki near the end of the first half as they visitors gained the advantage.

The second half saw S-Pulse introduce Shinji Ono and the visitors dominate the game; Grampus had all of one shot in the second half. For all their endeavour, however, the visitors never really troubled Narazaki in this half and it was Kensuke Nagai who went closest to adding to the scoreline with the home team’s lone shot on goal.

Vortis Rise Again?

Tokushima Vortis

Tokushima emerge victorious from their first home game of the season. The 3-0 win over FC Gifu also put them top of the J2 table on goal difference.

Gifu got off to the better start against an understandably nervy Vortis, playing their first home game since their disappointing end to last season. The home team found themselves chasing shadows as some slick passing kept them from establishing their authority early on. However, nine minutes into the game a quick break saw Uesato setup Kim Jong Min for a shot from the edge of the box and the early goal to calm home nerves. Striker Tomohiro Tsuda then added a second on the half hour, with a typical burst through the middle and a neat left-foot finish. It was the former Grampus speedster’s second goal in as many games and was followed by his exuberant Awaodori celebration.

Any hopes the visitors had of getting back into the game evaporated at the start of the second half, as Elizeu nodded home from a free kick with less than a minute of the second half gone. Vortis then coasted home with Gifu rarely threatening Enomoto’s goal. Another former Grampus player, finally getting some playing time, Sho Hanai put in another full appearance in defence and looks set to make a telling contribution to another Vortis chase for promotion. Hopefully he will also get a chance to show his midfield talents as he gains game experience.

Vortis Under New Management

Tokushima Vortis

Tokushima moved swiftly to sign former Montedio manger Shinji Kobayashi as their new manager. The 51-year old Kobayashi has led Oita Trinita to the J2 title, and helped Cerezo climb from 15th to 5th in 2005. He may have the J1 experience to help Vortis make that final step up to the top tier.

Kobayashi inherits a solid squad built up by Naohiko Minobe during his four years at the club. It will be interesting to see what signings the club makes over the next few weeks as they prepare for a new season that should again see them challenging for promotion.

Gamba Still Looking for New Manager

Gamba have had to go back resume looking for a new manager, after their initial choice Wagner Lopez was rejected by the JFA on the grounds he did not have enough experience or the correct qualifications. Vagner Mancini and Oscar Bernardi are rumoured to be in the running.

Yomiuri: Gamba give up on Lopes

Tokushima Sweep Out for New Year

Tokushima Vortis

Tokushima, having agonisingly missed out on promotion, have begun the process of clearing out some space for new players. The main surprise, is the release of Elizeu, who is not having his contract renewed. The departure of Ueno may mean that Hasegawa will be staying, and that should be good for both player and club.

The dismissal/release of manager Minobe, come as little surprise. The team improved every year he was at the helm, but the nature of failure to gain promotion, losing their final two games, meant it was always likely that the club would look to find a new manager. Finishing fourth, only three points off promotion, would normally have seen the manager given more time. However, it was not to be.

The new manager should inherit a solid squad that ought to be able to challenge for promotion again next year. The only clouds on the horizon are the uncertainties over Tomohiro Tsuda and Yoichiro Kakitani, both on loan from other clubs.

Pos. Name		Reason
MG Naohiko MINOBE	Released (Not offered a new contract)
GK Hideaki UENO		Retiring
DF Elizeu		Released
DF Takahiro OHARA	Released (was on loan at Grulla Morioka)
MF Yusuke SHIMADA	Released
MF Takuya MUGURUMA 	Released
MF Shinta FUKUSHIMA	Released

We can probably expect some more announcements over the next day or two.

Cerezo Departees

Cerezo Osaka

As we wind down the year, the annual cull of rosters has begun i earnest as clubs announce which players they will be releasing at the end of their contracts. (Some will no doubt appear as ‘transfers’ to other clubs in the new year.) First up in our Kansai round-up, Cerzo Osaka.

Pos.	Name		Reason
MF	Fabio Lopes	Released
MF	Masaki CHUGO	Released (was on loan at JEF United)
DF	Hiroyuki OMATA	Released
MG	Levir Culpi	Released/Refused new contract